Abstract: A membrane humidifier assembly includes a first flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a first gas thereto and a second flow field plate adapted to facilitate flow of a second gas thereto. A polymeric membrane is disposed between the first and second flow fields and adapted to permit transfer of water from the first flow field plate to the second flow field plate. The polymeric membrane includes a polymer having perfluorocyclobutyl groups.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell includes a core with an anode inlet, an anode outlet, a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet. A first heater is connected to the anode inlet of the core. A second heater is connected to the cathode inlet of the core. A reformer is connected to the first heater. A heat exchanger is connected to the second heater. A burner is connected to the reformer and the anode and cathode outlets of the core. A humidifier is connected to the reformer. A first gas supply is connected to the humidifier. A second gas supply is connected to the reformer. A third gas supply is connected to the burner. A fourth gas supply is connected to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having an excellent orientation free performance by separating a fluid into a liquid and a gas without being affected by shaking and/or rotation of the fuel cell system includes a fuel cell main body, a first liquid/gas separation unit, and a buffer line. The fuel cell main body receives a fuel containing hydrogen and an oxidizing gas containing oxygen and generates electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and the oxygen. The first gas/liquid separation unit is installed on a first recycling line extending from an anode outlet of the fuel cell main body to separate a gas byproduct from unreacted fuel discharged through the anode outlet.

Abstract: The water content estimation apparatus for a fuel cell includes an estimating unit for estimating a residual water content distribution in a reactant gas flow channel and a moisture content distribution in an electrolyte membrane in a cell plane of a single cell while taking into consideration water transfer that occurs between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode via the electrolyte membrane between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. The fuel cell system performs control based on an estimation result by the estimating unit so that the fuel cell assumes a predetermined water condition.

Abstract: A water transfer device can include first and second flow paths separated by a water transfer membrane and a hydrophilic diffusion medium. The hydrophilic diffusion medium is disposed between the water transfer membrane and the first flow path. Water content of a first fluid stream flowing through the first flow path is transferred through the diffusion medium and water transfer membrane and into a second fluid stream flowing through the second flow path. The hydrophilic diffusion medium is operable to absorb liquid water in the first fluid stream and hold the absorbed liquid water in contact with the water transfer membrane. The hydrophilic diffusion medium is also operable to diffuse water vapor in the first fluid stream and transport the water vapor to the water transfer membrane. The water transfer membrane transfers the water in contact therewith to the second fluid stream flowing through second flow path.

Abstract: A solid oxide regenerative fuel cell includes a ceramic electrolyte, a first electrode which is adapted to be positively biased when the fuel cell operates in a fuel cell mode and in an electrolysis mode, and a second electrode which is adapted to be negatively biased when the fuel cell operates in the fuel cell mode and in the electrolysis mode. The second electrode comprises less than 1 mg/cm2 of noble metal.

Abstract: The present invention includes a fuel cell (11), a fuel gas supplying device (16), an oxidizing gas supplying device (17) and a control apparatus (20) and further includes at least one of a temperature control device (19) which controls the temperature of the fuel cell (11) and a humidifying device (24) which humidifies at least one of the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to be supplied to the fuel cell (11), wherein: the control apparatus (20) controls at least one of the temperature control device (19), the humidifying device (24), the fuel cell (11) and the fuel gas supplying device (16) to cause the temperature of the fuel cell (11) to be equal to at least one of the dew point of the fuel gas and the dew point of the oxidizing gas, before cutting off an electrical connection between the fuel cell (11) and a load; and then the control apparatus (20) cuts off the electrical connection between the fuel cell (11) and the load.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that is compact and has stabilized performance is provided. The fuel cell system includes two fuel cell stacks or a first fuel cell stack (31) and a second fuel cell stack (32), a high-pressure hydrogen tank (11) as a hydrogen supplying device for supplying hydrogen to the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32), a compressor (12) as an air supplying device for supplying air to the fuel cell stack, and a humidifier (20) for humidifying air to be supplied to the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32). The humidifier (20) is disposed between the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32); a supply air exhaust port of the humidifier (20) and air supply ports (Q1) of the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32) are connected by air supply pipes (51) having the same length.

Abstract: A power generation system has a fuel cell stack and at least one condensation point in the system at which water present after shutdown of the power generation system can condense or collect. Drying after shutdown is improved by maintaining a temperature gradient between the condensation point and at least one other component in the power generation system after shutdown. In one embodiment, the temperature gradient is maintained by housing the fuel cell stack in a thermally insulated container and arranging the condensation point outside of the insulating container. In another embodiment, drying after shutdown is accomplished with an adsorption unit having a water-adsorbing material arranged in a desired location within the power generation system.

Abstract: In a first aging step, a plus electrode electric potential is applied to an anode of a fuel cell, and a minus electrode electric potential is applied to a cathode of the fuel cell. In this state, hydrogen pump operation is performed at maximum current density in use by supplying humidified hydrogen to the anode without supplying any oxygen-containing gas to the cathode. Thus, the hydrogen passes through a solid polymer electrolyte membrane toward the cathode. After the first aging step, in a second aging step, power generation of the fuel cell is performed at the maximum current density.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems and methods that perform maintenance hydration by supplying power to satisfy at least part of an applied load from an energy-consuming assembly while a primary power source is in electrical communication with and available to supply power to the energy-consuming assembly to satisfy the portion of the applied load. In some embodiments, the systems or methods may determine a start time, or start condition, for hydration of the fuel cell system. Power may be supplied from the activated fuel cell system at an output voltage that is higher than a voltage at which power from the primary power source is being supplied, such that the applied load is satisfied, at least in part, by power from the fuel cell system instead of from the primary power source. Upon operation for a period sufficient to rehydrate the fuel cell stack, operation of the fuel cell system may be discontinued.

Abstract: A fuel cell apparatus including a fuel cell module, a heat exchanging assembly, and an airflow producing element is provided. The fuel cell module is used to perform chemical reactions of a fuel cell. The heat exchanging assembly includes a first heat exchanging part, a second heat exchanging part, and a connection part. The connection part connects the first heat exchanging part and the second heat exchanging part respectively. The airflow producing element is adapted to produce an airflow, and the airflow flows through the first heat exchanging part, the fuel cell module, and the second heat exchanging part sequentially.

Abstract: The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel supply supplying a fuel to the fuel cell stack, and an oxidizing agent supply supplying an oxidizing agent to the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a first end plate, a moisture exchanger, an electrical generator, and a second end plate. The moisture exchanger includes a first area where a dried supply oxidizing agent flows, a second area where a humid emission fuel flows, and a third area where a humid emission oxidizing agent flows, and the first area exchanges moisture with the second and third areas using a moisture exchange layer.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) including at least one fuel cell (2) having a cathode area (3) and an anode area (4) is disclosed. The cathode area (3) and the anode area (4) have feed conduits (31, 41) and discharge conduits (32, 42). Downstream of the anode area (4) and the cathode area (3), a junction (12) of the discharge conduits (32, 42) is provided. The junction (12) fluidically communicates with an area (13) which includes a material that is catalytically active with respect to a reaction of a fuel for the fuel cell (2) with an oxidant for the fuel cell (2). The feed conduit (31) leading to the cathode area (3) is configured in such a manner that it fluidically communicates with the cathode area (3) in at least two different sites (19, 20) in each of the fuel cells (2). A humidifying device (16) is provided in the feed conduit (41) leading to the anode area (4).

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer, a proton-conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer, and a fuel transmitting layer that supplies a vaporized component of a liquid fuel to the anode catalyst layer. Water generated in the cathode catalyst layer is supplied to the anode catalyst layer via the proton-conductive membrane. The liquid fuel is one of a methanol aqueous solution having a concentration of over 50% by molar and liquid methanol.

Abstract: To provide a solid oxide fuel cell in which the reformer is compact but is capable of supplying an appropriate quantity of fuel. The present invention is a solid oxide fuel cell (1) for generating electricity using fuel reformed by a reformer (20) and air, including a fuel supply means (38), a reformed air supply means (44), a water supply means (28) for supplying water to the reformer, a fuel supply quantity detection sensor (132) for detecting the quantity of fuel actually supplied, a fuel cell module (2), and a control means (110) for controlling each supply means so that the target quantities of fuel, reforming air, and water are fed into the reformer; the control means controls the fuel supply means to match the target fuel supply quantity, and controls the fuel supply means so that tracking performance of fuel supply quantity relative to target fuel supply quantity is higher when reforming air is being supplied to the reformer than when it is not being supplied.

Abstract: A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a porous, wettable plate body including a first reactant gas channel having an inlet portion, a second reactant gas channel having an outlet portion that is adjacent the inlet portion of the first reactant gas channel, and at least one moisture reservoir fluidly connected with pores of the porous, wettable plate body. The at least one moisture reservoir can selectively collect and release moisture received from a reactant gas in the outlet portion to thereby selectively move the moisture from the outlet portion toward the adjacent inlet portion.

Abstract: A humidification device is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the humidification device includes at least one wet gas channel and at least one dry gas channel disposed in adjacent relationship to the at least one wet gas channel. The at least one wet gas channel and the at least one dry gas channel are adapted for exchange of moisture there between. A fuel cell system and a method of moisturizing a gas are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when to trigger reconditioning of a fuel cell stack and when to disable the reconditioning of the fuel cell stack. In one embodiment, the stack reconditioning is triggered when a maximum stack power estimation falls below a first predetermined power threshold. The reconditioning of the stack can be disabled so it is not performed when the trigger occurs if the reconditioning process does not raise the maximum power estimation above a second predetermined power threshold or the time from one reconditioning trigger to a next reconditioning trigger is less than a predetermined time threshold, or both.

Abstract: A hybrid system (1) having at least one metal/air battery (10) and at least one fuel cell stack (20), in which the hybrid system (1) has an air supply device (2) with an air feed line (3), an intake device (5) and a compressor (4) for compressing the air stream in the air feed line (3), the air supply device (2) being designed both for supplying air to the at least one metal/air battery (10) and for supplying air to the at least one fuel cell stack (20) with an air stream subjected to excess pressure. A method for supplying air to a hybrid system (1) of this kind having at least one metal/air battery (10) and at least one fuel cell stack (20).

Abstract: A fuel cell system operates under at least one of the conditions of no humidity or high temperature, and an operating method thereof, are characterized in that a fuel cell has a fuel gas flow path and an oxidant gas flow path arranged such that fuel gas and oxidant gas flow in opposite directions, a determining apparatus that determines the amount of water near the oxidant gas flow path inlet, and a fuel gas control apparatus which increases the amount of water near the oxidant gas flow path inlet by increasing the fuel gas flowrate and/or reducing the fuel gas pressure if it is determined in the determining apparatus that the amount of water near the oxidant gas flow path inlet is insufficient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a humidifier module (1) for humidifying a fluid in a fuel cell system of a motor vehicle, with a housing (2) having two housing parts (2a, 2b), wherein a humidifier unit (3) with at least one membrane is arranged between the housing parts (2a, 2b), wherein the humidifier unit (3) is formed in the shape of a single cartridge.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering cell voltage loss in a PEM fuel cell stack that include operating the stack at conditions that provide excess water that flushes away contaminants deposited on the cell electrodes. Two techniques are described that both operate the stack at a relatively low temperature and a cathode inlet RH above saturation. The first technique also includes providing hydrogen to the anode side of the stack and air to the cathode side of the stack, and operating the stack at a relatively low cell voltage. The second technique also includes flowing hydrogen to the anode side of the stack and nitrogen to the cathode side of the stack, using an external power source to provide a stack current density, and providing an anode humidity level that is significantly higher than the cathode humidity level.

Abstract: A humidification unit and a fuel cartridge are provided, wherein the fuel cartridge is capable of supplying hydrogen gas to a fuel cell (FC) stack. The fuel cartridge includes a hydrogen supply unit and a humidification unit. The hydrogen supply unit is capable of generating the hydrogen gas. The humidification unit is connected with the hydrogen supply unit. The humidification unit includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a membrane, and at least one membrane destructor. The first chamber contains water, and the second chamber contains a water absorbing material. The membrane is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane destructor is connected to the membrane. The water in the first chamber flows into the second chamber and is absorbed by the water absorbing material when a hole is formed on the membrane by the membrane destructor.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes cell units each composed of a hydrogen ion conductive polymeric electrolyte membrane, a pair of electrodes arranged on the front and rear faces of the hydrogen ion conductive polymeric electrolyte membrane, and a diffusion layer contacting the electrodes to cover the electrodes. The cell units are pushed down by an end plate having a current-collecting metallic plate and a resin substrate for fixing the current-collecting metallic plate. A layer having a humidity-adjusting component is formed on the surface of the resin substrate of the end plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and a reformer for a fuel cell system prevents backfire and improves efficiency of heat transfer. The fuel cell system includes a reformer generating hydrogen gas from fuel including hydrogen by a catalytic chemical reaction using heat energy, and at least one electricity generating unit generating electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and oxygen. The reformer includes a case, a heat source, and a reforming reaction part. The case forms an external shape. The heat source is disposed in the case to generate heat energy by an oxidation reaction between fuel and a catalyst, and includes a mesh, an oxidation catalyst layer formed on a surface of the mesh, and at least one fuel injection nozzle supplying the fuel to the oxidation catalyst layer. The reforming reaction part is disposed in the case to generate hydrogen gas from fuel using the heat energy generated from the heat source.

Abstract: A gas separator having excellent humidifying performance, pressure loss, volume efficiency, and durability humidifies gases used in an on-vehicle fuel cell. The gas separator has upper and lower surfaces of pleat elements of a pleat molding covered by a plate having intake and exhaust ports. The pleat molding is formed by pleating a compound membrane formed of a gas separating membrane and at least one layer of permeable reinforcement material. The pleat element is formed by disposing a reinforcement frame at the outer side part of the molding. The ratio (R=L/H) of a shortest distance (L) between the intake and exhaust ports to a height (H) of the pleat molding is 0.1 to 7.0, and the ratio (W/Le) of the width (W) to the length (Le) of the pleat molding is 0.3 to 10.0. The gas separator operates at a volume flow ratio of 200 or higher.

Abstract: A model uses various operating characteristics of a fuel cell to predict the relative humidity profile that is occurring within the fuel cell as a function of the reaction progress. The model is used to predict the relative humidity profile that will occur in response to changes to one or more of the operating characteristics of the fuel cell. A high frequency resistance of the fuel cell can also be used as a measure that is indicative of the humidity within the fuel cell. The model and/or the high frequency resistance can be used in a closed-loop feedback system to control the operation of the fuel cell to maintain the humidification of the MEA and fuel cells within a desired range to achieve a desired fuel cell performance.

Abstract: A humidifier device for humidifying a fluid in a fuel cell system of a motor vehicle is provided. The humidifier device has a housing, in which is arranged at least one membrane, and a bypass channel for bypassing the at least one membrane. The bypass channel has a non-circular cross-section.

Abstract: A fuel cell system capable of performing activation for stabilizing electrical characteristics of a fuel cell with suppressing generation of polarity inversion associated with drying of a polymer electrolyte membrane and excess power consumption. An activation method for a fuel cell, the fuel cell system including a fuel cell having a fuel electrode and an oxidizer electrode that are provided on both sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane; a resistance detector for detecting an internal resistance of the fuel cell; a load connection portion having a mechanism for connecting a resistor between the fuel electrode and the oxidizer electrode; and a control unit for controlling the load connection portion. The control unit controls the operation of the load connection portion based on a value of the inner resistance of the fuel cell, which is detected by the resistance detector.

Abstract: A fastening member includes a pair of fastening members to sandwich an electricity generating cell therebetween. At least one of the pair of fastening members has electrical conductivity and is connected to the electricity generating cell. Current is collected using the at least one of the pair of the fastening members.

Abstract: An integrated piping module to connect a fuel cell and a fuel processor, the integrated piping module including: tanks to collect heat emitted from a reformate gas generated by the fuel processor, heat emitted from air discharged from the fuel cell, and water condensed from the reformate gas and/or the discharged air; pipes to heat and cool the reformate gas, and to remove the water from the tanks.

Abstract: A fuel cell housing comprising at least one surface configured to condense fluid from exhaust air passing over or through the surface and configured to return the condensed fluid to electrolyte of a fuel cell or fuel cell stack within the fuel cell housing is disclosed. Fuel cell assemblies comprising the fuel cell housing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that is compact and has stabilized performance is provided. The fuel cell system includes two fuel cell stacks or a first fuel cell stack (31) and a second fuel cell stack (32), a high-pressure hydrogen tank (11) as a hydrogen supplying device for supplying hydrogen to the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32), a compressor (12) as an air supplying device for supplying air to the fuel cell stack, and a humidifier (20) for humidifying air to be supplied to the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32). The humidifier (20) is disposed between the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32); a supply air exhaust port of the humidifier (20) and air supply ports (Q1) of the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32) are connected by air supply pipes (51) having the same length.

Abstract: A chemovoltaic cell converts chemical energy generated by an in-situ molecular hydrogen oxidation reaction into electrical energy by creating a chemically induced nonequilibrium electron population on a catalytic surface of a Schottky structure, followed by charge separation and electric power generation using the Schottky contact.

Abstract: In preferred aspect, the present invention features a membrane humidifier for a fuel cell which can control the amount of air flow and the amount of humidification based on the amount of water produced in a fuel cell stack according to a power level of the fuel cell stack while humidifying dry air and supplying humidified air to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell which prevents an unreformed fuel gas from being supplied to a fuel electrode at start-up without requiring a storage chamber for hydrogen gas and the like.

Abstract: A method for controlling the exhaust gas temperature of a fuel cell system, the fuel cell system including a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode, and further including a fuel supply line for supplying H2-containing fuel to the anode, and an oxidant supply line for supplying O2-containing gas to the cathode, and at least one discharge line for discharging anode gas and/or cathode gas from the fuel cell. The discharge line is connected by at least one humidifier with the fuel supply line and/or with the oxidant supply line in such a manner that the fuel and/or the oxidant is/are humidified with moisture from the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas temperature is controlled by changing the temperature of the fuel in the fuel supply line and/or that of the oxidant in the oxidant supply line, and by transferring heat in the humidifier from the fuel and/or the oxidant to the exhaust gas.

Abstract: There is provided a fuel cell including a fuel cell stack having a fuel cell unit provided with, in order to enable appropriately controlling a wet state before power generation efficiency of the fuel cell is reduced, a polymer electrolyte membrane having one surface thereof provided with an oxidizer electrode and another surface thereof provided with a fuel electrode. In the fuel cell: the fuel cell unit includes plural power generation cell units and a pair of wet state detection cell units; one of the pair of wet state detection cell units includes an excessively humidified state detection cell unit which is more sensitive of an excessively humidified state than the power generation cell units; and another one of the pair of wet state detection cell units includes a dry state detection cell unit which is more sensitive of a dry state than the power generation cell units.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system that include at least one fuel cell stack and at least one Venturi pump. The Venturi pump has a main inlet, a main outlet, and a secondary inlet. A main stream flows into the Venturi pump through the main inlet, and is mixed with a secondary stream, which flows into the Venturi pump through the secondary inlet. The fuel cell system of the present invention can include a carbon dioxide separator for separating water or fuel from exhaust outputted from the fuel cell stack, and a mixer for mixing fuel with water. In one embodiment, the Venturi pump can be installed between the carbon dioxide and the mixer. In another embodiment, the Venturi pump can be installed between the fuel cell stack and the carbon dioxide separator. In still another embodiment, the Venturi pump can be installed between the mixer and the fuel cell stack. More than one Venturi pump can be installed in the fuel cell system of the present invention.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is provided that includes a fluid collection member disposed in a fluid inlet for a reactant, wherein the fluid collection member militates against liquid water on an inner surface of the fluid inlet from being received by a fuel cell of the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A method for reconditioning a fuel cell stack. The method includes determining whether fuel cell stack reconditioning is desired based on predetermined reconditioning triggers, determining if predetermined system constraints are met that will allow reconditioning of the fuel cell stack to occur, and determining whether previous reconditioning processes have been attempted, and if so, whether predetermine reconditioning limits have been exceeded during those attempts. The reconditioning process is initiated if one or more of the reconditioning triggers has occurred, the predetermined system constraints are met and the predetermined reconditioning limits have not been exceeded. The reconditioning process increases the humidification level of a cathode side of the fuel cell stack over the humidity level of the cathode side during normal operating conditions and waiting for cell membranes in the fuel cell stack to saturate after the humidification level of the cathode has increased.

Abstract: A method for reconditioning a fuel cell stack. The method includes periodically increasing the relative humidity level of the cathode input airflow to the stack to saturate the cell membrane electrode assemblies to be greater than the relative humidity levels during normal stack operating conditions. The method also includes providing hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell stack at system shut down while the membrane electrode assemblies are saturated without stack loads being applied so that the hydrogen crosses the cell membranes to the cathode side and reacts with oxygen to reduce stack contaminants.

Abstract: A water recovery system of a direct liquid feed fuel cell and a direct liquid feed fuel cell having the water recovery system. The water recovery system in which water produced at a cathode electrode of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is recovered to supply to an anode electrode, the water recovery system includes: a first member located on the cathode electrode and a first supporting plate that supports the first member; and a second member located on the anode electrode and a second supporting plate that supports the second member, wherein the first member and the second member are connected to each other through a slit formed in an electrolyte membrane of the MEA. The direct liquid feed fuel cell having the water recovery system can be used, for example, in a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC).

Abstract: An on-board fuel cell system adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle includes a main passage connecting a hydrogen-gas storage device with an inlet of a fuel cell, a circulation passage that connects an outlet of the fuel cell with a first point in the main passage, a pump disposed in the circulation passage, and a bypass passage that connects a second point between the outlet of the storage device and the first point, with a third point located in the circulation passage between the outlet of the fuel cell and the pump. During a normal operation condition of the system, the hydrogen gas flows from the storage device to the fuel cell through the main passage, and hydrogen gas discharged from the fuel cell returns to the main passage through the circulation passage.

Abstract: It is possible to rapidly start a fuel cell and perform temperature increase operation and temperature decrease operation at start/stop without providing a separate purge gas supply system. The solid oxide type fuel cell includes a reformer (21) or the reformer (21) together with a water vapor generator (22), and a heating device (24) for heating at least the reformer (21) which are arranged in a housing (20). In the fuel cell operation method, upon start or stop of the operation, the reformer (21) generates a reductive gas containing hydrogen by a partial oxidization reforming reaction or auto-thermal reforming reaction and supplies the reductive gas to the fuel electrode side of the generation cell, thereby increasing or decreasing the temperature of the fuel cell while maintaining the fuel electrode atmosphere in a reduction condition.

Abstract: A novel method of altering extruded membrane films for PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cells in such a manner that the membrane films swell substantially uniformly in both the in-plane x and y directions when immersed in water or ionomer solution is disclosed. The invention includes cutting a membrane film from an extruded membrane sheet in a diagonal orientation with respect to the membrane process direction of the membrane sheet. The membrane film exhibits reduced internal stress as compared to conventionally-prepared membrane films and allows a more even distribution of pressure in a fuel cell stack, thereby reducing the incidence of swollen membrane-induced failure mechanisms in the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: To provide a fuel cell vehicle capable of reducing power consumption during a time of stopping of the vehicle. The fuel cell vehicle includes a scavenging execution determination unit 411 which determines whether or not to carry out scavenging; an ISU 40 including a microcomputer 41 installed on the scavenging execution determination unit 411. The fuel cell vehicle further includes an electrical supply circuit 43, in which, at a time of start-up by an alarm clock 46, the ISU 40 is booted, and in a case in which it is determined by the scavenging execution determination unit 411 that scavenging is to be carried out, the circuit 43 supplies electricity to the relay unit 36; and in a case in which it is determined by the scavenging execution determination unit 411 that scavenging is not to be carried out, it does not supply electricity to the relay unit 36.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that is compact and has stabilized performance is provided. The fuel cell system includes two fuel cell stacks or a first fuel cell stack (31) and a second fuel cell stack (32), a high-pressure hydrogen tank (11) as a hydrogen supplying device for supplying hydrogen to the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32), a compressor (12) as an air supplying device for supplying air to the fuel cell stack, and a humidifier (20) for humidifying air to be supplied to the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32). The humidifier (20) is disposed between the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32); a supply air exhaust port of the humidifier (20) and air supply ports (Q1) of the first and second fuel cell stacks (31, 32) are connected by air supply pipes (51) having the same length.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly is disclosed that utilizes a fuel cell plate having hydrophobic portions adjacent an inlet and an outlet formed therein, and a hydrophilic portion formed in the flow channels of the fuel cell plate adjacent the hydrophobic portions, wherein the hydrophilic portion and the hydrophobic portion facilitate the transport of liquid water from the fuel cell plate.