Abstract: An air CO2 filtration assembly or system is provided that includes CO2 filters or traps designed and configured with a limited, but high capacity, volume to maximize filtration/absorption of CO2 from an air stream supplied to an alkaline fuel cell to thereby minimize the CO2 level in the air stream fed into the fuel cell cathode. The CO2 filters or traps include at least one thermally regenerative CO2 chemical filter or trap arranged in a tandem configuration with a strongly bonding CO2 chemical filter or trap. The combination of the two types of filters or traps sequentially filter/absorb CO2 from the air stream and reduce the level of CO2 in the air stream fed into the cathode. The air CO2 filtration assembly or system may be used in conjunction with electrochemical purging of the alkaline fuel cell that enables removal of CO2 from the fuel cell by anodic decomposition of accumulated carbonate ions in the fuel cell anode and release of CO2 through the anode exhaust stream.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a housing defining an anode chamber and a cathode chamber and including a catalyst, a protonically conductive, but electronically non-conductive membrane positioned between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber and a first vent, a fuel chamber in gaseous communication with the anode chamber via a first valve, a liquid chamber in gaseous communication with the anode chamber via a second valve, and a mixing chamber having a second vent. The mixing chamber is in gaseous communication with the anode chamber via a third valve and receives fuel from the fuel chamber through a fuel valve, liquid from the liquid chamber via a liquid valve, and liquid effluent from the anode chamber via a liquid effluent valve. The mixing chamber also provides a fuel mixture to the anode chamber via a fuel mixture valve. Using effluent gases, the present invention drives fluids between elements of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a housing defining an anode chamber and a cathode chamber and including a catalyst, a protonically conductive, but electronically non-conductive membrane positioned between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber and a first vent, a fuel chamber in gaseous communication with the anode chamber via a first valve, a liquid chamber in gaseous communication with the anode chamber via a second valve, and a mixing chamber having a second vent. The mixing chamber is in gaseous communication with the anode chamber via a third valve and receives fuel from the fuel chamber through a fuel valve, liquid from the liquid chamber via a liquid valve, and liquid effluent from the anode chamber via a liquid effluent valve. The mixing chamber also provides a fuel mixture to the anode chamber via a fuel mixture valve. Using effluent gases, the present invention drives fluids between elements of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a housing defining an anode chamber and a cathode chamber and including a catalyst, a protonically conductive, but electronically non-conductive membrane positioned between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber and a first vent, a fuel chamber in gaseous communication with the anode chamber via a first valve, a liquid chamber in gaseous communication with the anode chamber via a second valve, and a mixing chamber having a second vent. The mixing chamber is in gaseous communication with the anode chamber via a third valve and receives fuel from the fuel chamber through a fuel valve, liquid from the liquid chamber via a liquid valve, and liquid effluent from the anode chamber via a liquid effluent valve. The mixing chamber also provides a fuel mixture to the anode chamber via a fuel mixture valve. Using effluent gases, the present invention drives fluids between elements of the fuel cell system.