Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems and methods of operating the same. The methods include initiating supply of a stored hydrogen stream, which includes stored hydrogen gas, to a fuel cell stack. Prior to the initiating, the stored hydrogen gas is stored in a low-pressure hydrogen storage tank at a hydrogen storage pressure. The methods also include generating an electrical power output from the stored hydrogen gas with the fuel cell stack. The methods further include, during a supply time interval that is subsequent to the initiating, monitoring a hydrogen supply variable that is indicative of flow of the stored hydrogen stream to the fuel cell stack. The methods also include detecting a change in the hydrogen supply variable and responding to the detecting. The systems include a controller that is programmed to perform the methods.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems (HPFCS) and methods. The HPFCS includes a fuel processor configured to produce generated hydrogen gas, a hydrogen storage device configured to contain stored hydrogen gas, and a fuel cell stack configured to produce an initial electrical output from the stored hydrogen gas and an oxidant and to produce a subsequent electrical output from the generated hydrogen gas and the oxidant. The methods include detecting an inability of a primary power source to satisfy an applied load. Responsive to the detecting, the methods include initiating a startup of the fuel processor, supplying stored hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack to produce the initial electrical output, satisfying the applied load with the initial electrical output, supplying generated hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack after the startup to produce a subsequent electrical output, and satisfying the applied load with the subsequent electrical output.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems (HPFCS) and methods. The HPFCS includes a fuel processor configured to produce generated hydrogen gas, a hydrogen storage device configured to contain stored hydrogen gas, and a fuel cell stack configured to produce an initial electrical output from the stored hydrogen gas and an oxidant and to produce a subsequent electrical output from the generated hydrogen gas and the oxidant. The methods include detecting an inability of a primary power source to satisfy an applied load. Responsive to the detecting, the methods include initiating a startup of the fuel processor, supplying stored hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack to produce the initial electrical output, satisfying the applied load with the initial electrical output, supplying generated hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack after the startup to produce a subsequent electrical output, and satisfying the applied load with the subsequent electrical output.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems (HPFCS) and methods. The HPFCS includes a fuel processor configured to produce generated hydrogen gas, a hydrogen storage device configured to contain stored hydrogen gas, and a fuel cell stack configured to produce an initial electrical output from the stored hydrogen gas and an oxidant and to produce a subsequent electrical output from the generated hydrogen gas and the oxidant. The methods include detecting an inability of a primary power source to satisfy an applied load. Responsive to the detecting, the methods include initiating a startup of the fuel processor, supplying stored hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack to produce the initial electrical output, satisfying the applied load with the initial electrical output, supplying generated hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack after the startup to produce a subsequent electrical output, and satisfying the applied load with the subsequent electrical output.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems (HPFCS) and methods. The HPFCS includes a fuel processor configured to produce generated hydrogen gas, a hydrogen storage device configured to contain stored hydrogen gas, and a fuel cell stack configured to produce an initial electrical output from the stored hydrogen gas and an oxidant and to produce a subsequent electrical output from the generated hydrogen gas and the oxidant. The methods include detecting an inability of a primary power source to satisfy an applied load. Responsive to the detecting, the methods include initiating a startup of the fuel processor, supplying stored hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack to produce the initial electrical output, satisfying the applied load with the initial electrical output, supplying generated hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack after the startup to produce a subsequent electrical output, and satisfying the applied load with the subsequent electrical output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a liquid mixture having a predetermined mix ratio and reforming systems, reforming methods, fuel cell systems, and fuel cell methods that utilize the liquid mixture. The methods include apportioning a preselected volume of liquid from a liquid source. During the apportioning, the liquid is a first liquid, and the methods further include providing a first preselected volume of the first liquid to a mix tank. The methods also include repeating the apportioning with a second liquid providing a second preselected volume of the second liquid to the mix tank to generate the liquid mixture. The methods also may include providing the liquid mixture to a reforming region, reforming the liquid mixture to generate a mixed gas stream that includes hydrogen gas, and providing the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell assembly to generate an electric current.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a liquid mixture having a predetermined mix ratio and reforming systems, reforming methods, fuel cell systems, and fuel cell methods that utilize the liquid mixture. The methods include apportioning a preselected volume of liquid from a liquid source. During the apportioning, the liquid is a first liquid, and the methods further include providing a first preselected volume of the first liquid to a mix tank. The methods also include repeating the apportioning with a second liquid providing a second preselected volume of the second liquid to the mix tank to generate the liquid mixture. The methods also may include providing the liquid mixture to a reforming region, reforming the liquid mixture to generate a mixed gas stream that includes hydrogen gas, and providing the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell assembly to generate an electric current.