Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of methods to control airflow to a fuel cell stack and a cooling fan within a housing by fluidly connecting a predetermined minimum volume of airflow through the housing to the fan and a series of louvres, adjustable apertures, and bypass valves dynamically adjust the air flow to at least one of one of the fuel cell stack and fan providing the required minimum volume of fluid to the fan during different controller based modes of operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprising an enclosure having a fuel cell stack mounted therein. The fuel cell stack has an inlet face for receiving coolant/oxidant fluid and an outlet face for expelling said coolant/oxidant fluid. The fuel cell stack further includes a pair of end faces extending transversely between the inlet face and outlet face. The enclosure defines a flow path for the coolant/oxidant fluid that is configured to guide the coolant/oxidant fluid to the inlet face, from the outlet face, and over at least one of the end faces.

Abstract: A method of shutting down operation of a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell stack, the method comprising the sequential steps of: i) ceasing a supply of fuel to the fuel cell stack; ii) closing a shut-off valve on an exhaust line in fluid communication with a cathode system of the fuel cell system, the cathode system comprising a cathode fluid flow path passing through the fuel cell stack; iii) pressurising the cathode system with an air compressor in fluid communication with a cathode air inlet port in the fuel cell stack; and iv) ejecting water from the cathode flow path.

Abstract: A method of starting operation of a fuel cell system which includes at least a fuel cell stack. the method includes opening an anode inlet valve to allow fuel to enter an anode volume of the fuel cell stack; then operating an air compressor in fluid communication with a cathode air inlet of the fuel cell stack to allow air to enter a cathode volume of the fuel cell stack; monitoring the temperature of the cathode inlet and/or outlet and operating a water injection system to inject water into the cathode volume once the temperature of fluid passing through the cathode inlet and/or outlet exceeds a preset level, wherein a current drawn from the fuel cell stack is limited to prevent a voltage measured across one or more cells in the fuel cell stack from falling below a first voltage threshold.

Abstract: A method of treating municipal solid waste comprising the steps of: shredding the waste to a first particle size,—storing the shredded waste in an aerated storage bay (14) for a first period time; shredding at least some of the waste to a second particle size,—and agitating the shredded waste in a rotating drum (19) for a second period of time and then outputting the treated waste; wherein biological decomposition under aerobic conditions takes place in the aerated storage bay and the rotating drum.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly supplies water and water vapour by-product to a cooling water circuit delivered to a thermal storage tank from which it can be recycled to the fuel cell stack as direct input to the membrane electrode assemblies, for use as fuel/oxidant preheat and/or direct water injection to the membrane electrode assembly. The purity of water delivered to the membrane is thereby assured. The thermal storage tank allows for a decoupling of the thermal and electrical loads on the fuel cell stack in a combined heat and electrical power delivery unit. Under low external electrical loads, the fuel cell stack and its cooling circuit may be used at high capacity to provide hot water.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly provides for direct water delivery to water injection points in the active area of fluid flow field plates of the assembly. The fluid flow field plate has a plurality of channels formed in the surface thereof which extend across the surface of the plate in a predetermined pattern, defining the active area of the plate. A distribution foil has a plurality of channels formed in a surface thereof which channels extend from a first edge of the distribution foil to a second edge of the distribution foil. The channels terminate at the second edge at positions substantially coincident with respective ones of the field plate channels at water injection points. A cover foil extends over the distribution foil to enclose the distribution foil channels and thereby form conduits for the water between the two foils.

Abstract: A fuel cell compression assembly provides a method for applying and retaining compression to a fuel cell stack through the use of a fixed carriage into which the cells can be built directly. The assembly comprises: a carriage unit having at least two opposing side walls maintained in spaced relation by a base member extending therebetween at a lower position on the sides, the opposing side walls and base member thereby defining a cradle for receiving fuel cell plates, the opposing side walls each including at least one engagement member on internal face for engaging with a top closure member forming the top of the carriage unit. The closure member is adapted to close the carriage unit and apply pressure to the plates therein, by automatic locking engagement with the cradle when the closure member is brought into position with the cradle in a first direction substantially orthogonal to the plane of the plates.

Abstract: A bipolar fluid flow flied plate for a fuel cell delivers fuel to a porous anode electrode and oxidant to an adjacent porous cathode electrode. The flow field plate comprises an electrically conductive, non-porous sheet into which fluid flow conduits are formed. A first fluid flow channel is patterned into a first face of the sheet and a second fluid flow channel patterned into the opposite face of the sheet. The pattern of the first channel comprises an interdigitated comb that co-operates with a pattern of the second channel comprising a continous serpentine path, so that no portion of the first channel directly overlies the pattern of the second channel over a substantial active area of the sheet. This allows the channels to be formed with combined depths that exceed the total plate thickness, thereby increasing fluid flow volumes.

Abstract: A method for the production of heat comprises composting solid organic waste, preferably in admixture with sewage sludge, and burning the composted waste, for example in a kiln for calcining an inorganic calcinable material. The composted waste preferably has a water content of less than 20% by weight, more preferably from 10 to 20% by weight. The organic waste is preferably composted in a rotating drum preferably for an average residence time of from 12 to 48 hours. The invention also provides a method for producing a fuel by composting a solid organic waste as described above and the fuel produced thereby. The composting is suitably carried out in a rotating drum having festoon chains arranged therein to serve as mixing lifters or flights.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a leak in a pipeline and initiating, at the leak location, a sonic signal in the stream fluid, the signal being of a magnitude and character to be detected at remote upstream and downstream stations for location of the leak by known computations based on the time differential between the arrival times of the signals at the remotely spaced stations.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of incinerating municipal refuse by burning it in a pulverized condition in a rotary kiln with added basic mineral matter, especially Portland cement raw materials, at a temperature sufficient to burn off all combustibles. A stony aggregate is obtained, which in a preferred embodiment is clinker, the rotary kiln being part of a cement plant. Conventional fuel may also be used for firing along with the refuse.