Abstract: A method for determining the flow of an anode gas out of an anode sub-system. The method includes providing pressure measurements at predetermined sample times over a predetermined sample period and using the pressure measurements to calculate a slope of a line defining a change of the pressure from the beginning of the time period to the end of the time period. The slope of the pressure line is then used in a flow equation to determine the amount of gas that flows out of the anode sub-system, which can be through a valve or by system leaks.

Abstract: A power generator comprising a hydrogen generator and a fuel cell stack having an anode exposed to hydrogen from the hydrogen generator and a cathode exposed to an ambient environment. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers are used to promote flow of water away from the cathode. A diffusion path thus separates the fuel cell cathode from the hydrogen generator. In one embodiment, water vapor generated from the fuel cell substantially matches water used by the hydrogen generator to generate hydrogen.

Abstract: A direct oxidation fuel cell system including: a fuel cell; a fuel supply portion for supplying a liquid fuel to a fuel inlet; an oxidant supply portion for supplying an oxidant to an oxidant inlet; an effluent tank for storing a fuel effluent; a fuel discharge path for leading the fuel effluent to the effluent tank; a gas-liquid separation mechanism for separating a part of product water from a fluid containing unconsumed oxidant and product water and discharging the remainder to outside; and a product water discharge path for leading the separated product water to the effluent tank. The gas-liquid separation mechanism has: a vent hole communicating with the oxidant outlet and outside; a porous filter for closing the vent hole; and a water-absorbent material for partially covering the surface of the porous filter on the oxidant outlet side.

Abstract: A system and method for dehumidifying a fuel cell are provided. The system includes a fuel cell having an anode chamber and a cathode chamber. After the fuel cell is shutdown, water vapor may linger within the anode and cathode chambers. The system includes dehumidifier source containing a hygroscopic hydrolyzing chemical, such as sodium silica gel or sodium silicide. The dehumidifier source is operatively connected in selective fluid communication with the anode chamber. When the fuel cell is shutdown, air can be prevented from entering the anode chamber, and fluid communication between the dehumidifier source and the anode chamber is permitted such that the hygroscopic hydrolyzing chemical reacts with water vapor in the anode chamber to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen can be used to pressurize the anode and cathode chambers and to purge the anode chamber of contaminants and water vapor during fuel cell shutdown. The system can prolong the operational life of the fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a relative humidity and condensed water estimator for a fuel cell and a method for controlling condensed water drain using the same. Here, the relative humidity and condensed water estimator is utilized in control of the fuel cell system involving control of anode condensed water drain by outputting at least two of signals comprising air-side relative humidity, hydrogen-side relative humidity, air-side instantaneous or cumulative condensed water, hydrogen-side instantaneous or cumulative condensed water, instantaneous and cumulative condensed water of the humidifier, membrane water contents, catalyst layer oxygen partial pressure, catalyst layer hydrogen partial pressure, stack or cell voltage, air-side catalyst layer relative humidity, hydrogen-side catalyst layer relative humidity, oxygen supercharging ratio, hydrogen supercharging ratio, residual water in a stack, and residual water in a humidifier.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided. More specifically, the fuel cell system is made up of an aggregate of unit fuel cells, an air supply unit, a humidifier, a hydrogen supply unit, and a valve unit. The valve unit is configured to be connected to a stack and the humidifier. This valve unit prevents external air from being introduced to an air supply path and an air exhaust path through the humidifier when the stack is turned off. More specifically, the valve unit includes a valve body component constituting the air supply path as first and second valve passages and the air exhaust path as third and fourth valve passages and an opening and closing component for opening and closing the air supply path and the air exhaust path.

Abstract: A fuel cell system of the invention includes, a fuel cell, a water reservoir configured to accumulate water discharged from the fuel cells, and a status estimator configured to estimate a status of the water reservoir based on a stated of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a fuel cell stack purge to remove excess water during system shut-down. A compressor is operated at a shut-down speed to force water out of the cathode flow channels and draw water through the membrane from the anode flow channels so that a desired amount of water is removed from the fuel cell stack without over drying the membrane. The cathode shut-down purge flow can be introduced in the forward or reverse direction. Further, the flow of hydrogen fuel can be directed so that it flows through the anode flow channels in an opposite direction to push water out of an anode outlet manifold into the anode flow channels so that it will also be drawn through the membrane by the cathode airflow. Finally, a brief rehydration step is added after the shut-down purge to achieve the desired water content in the cells.

Abstract: A low-temperature fuel cell having an integrated water management system for passive discharge of product water includes at least one membrane-electrode assembly having at least one anode-side and one cathode-side electrode and at least one membrane disposed between the electrodes, current collector structures disposed on the anode-side and cathode-side and distribution structures for fuel and oxidant disposed on the anode-side and cathode-side. The cathode-side distribution structure hereby has a capillary structure for transporting away the product water and also gas supply channels.

Abstract: Generated water is quickly and surely removed from a generated water discharge face of equipment which discharges generated water. There are provided equipment 12 having a discharge face 11 for discharging generated water, and a diaphragm 14 disposed so as to be face the discharge face 11 of the equipment 12 through a predetermined gap 13. The diaphragm 14 has plural projections 15 projecting into the gap 13, and by vibrating the diaphragm 14, generated water is atomized or vaporized and removed to the outside of the gap 13.

Abstract: A compact fuel cell system capable of preventing water from remaining in a pipe is provided. The fuel cell system 1 includes a fuel cell 2, a fuel gas flow control device 3 for controlling the amount of fuel gas flowing from a fuel gas supply system, a gas-liquid separator 4 for separating water contained in an anode off gas discharged from the fuel cell 2, and a circulation device 5 which mixes an anode off gas discharged from the gas-liquid separator 4 and a fuel gas newly supplied by a fuel gas supply system, and supplies the mixed gas to the fuel cell 2. The gas-liquid separator 4 and the circulation device 5 are attached to an end plate 6 of the fuel cell 2 and the circulation device 5 is positioned higher than the gas-liquid separator 3.

Abstract: An ion exchange resin member 20 that serves as an impurity remover for removing impurities from fluid F discharged from a fuel cell 100 is placed in a discharge passage for the fluid F to flow through, and a dispersion means for dispersing the fluid F over, and making the fluid F flow to, an entry-side surface 21 of the ion exchange resin member 20 is placed upstream from the ion exchange resin member 20. Also, a gas discharge part and a liquid discharge part are placed downstream from a fluid outlet of the ion exchange resin member 20, and a liquid-movement-preventing means for preventing a liquid in the fluid discharged from the fluid outlet from moving toward the gas discharge part is placed between the ion exchange resin member 20 and at least either the gas discharge part or the liquid discharge part.

Abstract: A fuel-cell system is advantageous for repressing water from flowing backward from a reservoir to a condenser, flowing backward which results from the inside of the condenser being turned into negative pressure. The fuel-cell system has a fuel cell for generating electric power by reactant gas, a condenser for generating condensed water by condensing water content included in the reactant gas to be supplied to the fuel cell or in off gas of the reactant gas, and a reservoir for reserving the condensed water collected at the condenser. A drain valve is disposed between the condenser and the reservoir. The drain valve is switchable between a closed state in which communication between the condenser and the reservoir is shut off and an opened state in which the condenser is communicated with the reservoir to discharge the water in the condenser to the reservoir. A controller carries out inner-pressure increment and drain controls for opening the drain valve after increasing inner pressure in the condenser.

Abstract: Generated water generated from electrical equipment such as a fuel cell or the like is surely and quickly removed. A generated water removing device 10 has a diaphragm 14 that is disposed so as to face a generated water discharge face 11A of a fuel cell 11 through a predetermined first gap L1, has plural holes 13 for atomizing or vaporizing generated water and feeds generated water to the outside of the first gap L1 through the holes 13, and a heat pipe 17 that has a heat absorber 15 for absorbing heat generated in the fuel cell 11 and a heat radiator 16 disposed so as to face the diaphragm 14 through a predetermined second gap L2, and transfers heat absorbed by the heat absorber 15 to the heat radiator 16 to warm the generated water fed to the outside of the first gap through the holes 13.

Abstract: Generated water is quickly and surely removed from a fuel cell, and leakage of generated water is prevented. A diaphragm 13 atomizes or vaporizes generated water WL generated from a fuel cell 11 as electrical equipment through holes and removes generated water WF, WG to the outside of a gap when the diaphragm is operated. The holes 15 of the diaphragm 13 are formed of minute pores and thus can store generated water WL in the gap 14 when the diaphragm 13 is not operated.

Abstract: A fuel-cell-mounted vehicle includes: a fuel cell that is mounted in the vehicle and supplies electric power to a power part of the vehicle; a storage part to store water generated from the fuel cell; and a liquid ejection apparatus to eject the water of the storage part.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel cell system capable of drying a fuel cell in a short time after a system stop instruction is issued. The fuel cell system includes a controller to control the execution of a normal operation and a dry operation which decreases the water content of the fuel cell as compared with the normal operation. The controller executes the dry operation prior to the system stop instruction so that the water content of the fuel cell is decreased as compared with the normal operation at a time of the system stop instruction. The controller may execute the dry operation before the system stop instruction in a case where it is predicted that the temperature of the fuel cell at the system stop or the next system start is a predetermined low temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell stack with a water drainage structure, which can effectively drain condensed water and prevent water from flowing into unit cells by combining an end anode plate (EAP) and an end cathode plate (ECP), which are formed by modifying an anode plate (AP) and cathode plate (CP) respectively.

Abstract: A fuel cell device includes a housing containing a fuel processor that generates fuel gas and a fuel cell having electrodes forming an anode and cathode, and an ion exchange electrolyte positioned between the electrodes. The housing can be formed as first and second cylindrically configured outer shell sections that form a battery cell that is configured similar to a commercially available battery cell. A thermal-capillary pump can be operative with the electrodes and an ion exchange electrolyte, and operatively connected to the fuel processor. The electrodes are configured such that heat generated between the electrodes forces water to any cooler edges of the electrodes and is pumped by capillary action back to the fuel processor to supply water for producing hydrogen gas. The electrodes can be formed on a silicon substrate that includes a flow divider with at least one fuel gas input channel that can be controlled by a MEMS valve.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a circulation path, a water reservoir, a water level detector, a water discharger and a controller. The fuel cell generates electric power using fuel gas supplied to an anode and oxidant gas supplied to a cathode. Off-gas discharged from the fuel cell is returned to the fuel cell again through the circulation path. The water reservoir is disposed in the circulation path and stores water separated from the off-gas. During monitoring after stop of the fuel cell system or at startup of the fuel cell system, the controller operates the water discharger to discharge the water stored in the water reservoir when the controller determines that a level of the water detected or estimated by the water level detector is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference water level.

Abstract: An engine system in which hydrogen is employed as a fuel, including a reactor configured to cause a reaction using a catalyst, in which the reactor is constituted by alternately disposing plural exhaust passages and plural fuel passageways of the engine system with a wall interposed therebetween; at least one carrier configured to carry the catalyst and to be formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape is fitted in at least one of fuel passageways; and the carrier is provided with a plate portion which has a surface disposed in a fuel flowing direction and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and at least one slit portion which divides the surface of the plate portion in the fuel flowing direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a temperature-sensitive bypass device for discharging condensed water from a fuel cell stack, in which a bypass line is provided between an end plate and a separator located at the outermost cell adjacent to an inlet of the fuel cell stack, and a temperature-sensitive valve for opening and closing the bypass line is provided on the inner side of the end plate such that the temperature-sensitive valve is opened when an excessive amount of condensed water is introduced into the inlet of the stack during cold start-up, thereby easily discharging the excessive amount of condensed water present in the inlet of the stack through the bypass line.

Abstract: A bipolar plate includes angled facets oriented to form V-shaped projections on the plate edge. Liquid leaving the reactant channels is drawn back into the V-shaped grooves of the projections, leaving no liquid to obstruct the channel exit openings. The bipolar plate includes one portion of the bipolar plate offset from another portion of the bipolar plate so as to expose the reactant channels. The liquid is drawn toward the end portions of the reactant channels by capillary forces, while the gas flows can exit near the beginning of the offset portion. A fuel cell stack includes angled facets that are rotated to lie in the plane of the bipolar plate edges. The edges are chamfered so the channel exit openings of the reactant channels are at the tip portions thereof, thus allowing the liquid to flow away from the channel exit openings and the gas to exit freely.

Abstract: The invention is provided to reliably restore generated voltage that has declined due to clogging of water in a fuel cell stack. A method of operating a fuel cell system having a fuel cell stack that generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas including hydrogen gas and an oxidation gas, wherein when a generated voltage of the fuel cell stack declines, the water-in-cell content of the fuel cell stack is adjusted so that a variation in cell pressure loss in the fuel cell stack decreases based on a characteristic curve of the water-in-cell content of the fuel cell stack and the cell pressure loss of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a humidifier, which is used as an auxiliary humidifier of a fuel cell together with an existing gas-to-gas humidifier to improve humidification performance in a low efficiency region of the gas-to-gas humidifier, thus increasing the output of the fuel cell and providing high efficiency operation.

Abstract: A power generator includes a chemical hydride multilayer fuel cell stack. A flow path extends through the fuel cell stack to provide oxygen containing air to the fuel cell stack and to cool the fuel cell stack. A hydrogen generator is coupled to the flow path to receive water vapor from ambient air introduced into the flow path and water vapor generated by the fuel cell stack and to provide hydrogen to the fuel cell stack. A controller separately controls airflow past the fuel cell stack and water vapor provided to the hydrogen generator.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack that includes PEM fuel cells. Each fuel cell has an operating temperature of at least 120° C. The fuel cell stack has a cathode inlet to receive a flow of ambient air and a cathode outlet to provide a cathode exhaust flow. The fuel cell system includes a fuel processing reactor that has inlet and an outlet. The inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with a catalyst that is suitable for convening a hydrocarbon into a gas that contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The outlet is in fluid communication with an anode chamber of the fuel cell, and the inlet of the fuel processing reactor is in fluid communication with the cathode outlet.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell, a reactant gas pipe for supplying a reactant gas to the fuel cell, and an injector for driving a valve body at a predetermined drive cycle by an electromagnetic driving force to separate the valve body from a valve seat, regulating conditions of the gas on the upstream side in the reactant gas pipe and supplying the gas to the downstream side. A gas element component responding to the physical quantity of the reactant gas circulating through the reactant gas pipe is integrally provided in the injector so as to come close to the injector.

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: A fuel cell apparatus including a fuel cell comprising a membrane electrode assembly between an anode and a cathode, a first set of channels between the anode and the assembly, and a second set of channels between the cathode and the assembly. The first set of channels is spaced from and extends across a width of the second set of channels in a non-parallel configuration and at least one of the first or second set of channels are oriented to provide gravitationally assisted water removal; at least one of the first set or second set of channels has a shorter length than the other one of the first set and second set of channels; or at least one of the first set or second set of channels has intrusion regions that extend portions of the assembly into at least one of the first set or second set of channels.

Abstract: A method for controlling a peripheral system (or a plurality of peripheral devices) and a fuel cell system using the same. The method includes: allocating an operation priority to the peripheral devices; storing information of the operation priority; and sequentially operating the peripheral devices by using electric energy stored in a small capacity electricity storage device according to the operation priority. The fuel cell system includes: the plurality of peripheral devices; an electricity storage device electrically connected with the peripheral devices; and a controller for sequentially operating the peripheral devices by using electric energy stored in the electricity storage device according to an operation priority.

Abstract: Moisture caused by humidity in the fuel gas and water vapor from the water that is generated become condensed inside a fuel cell when power generation in the fuel cell is temporarily stopped, making obstruction to the fuel gas flow channel when power generation is restarted possible. A fuel cell includes an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode. Oxidant is supplied to the oxidant electrode in the fuel cell, and the fuel emitted from the fuel electrode of the fuel cell is resupplied back to the fuel electrode. When requested power generating capacity for the fuel cell is less than a prescribed capacity, the oxidant supply is temporarily stopped while the fuel continues to circulate in order to prevent obstruction in the fuel flow channel due to water condensation, making a reliable fuel supply becomes possible.

Abstract: A method of controlling an amount of liquid in a fuel cell includes increasing the oxygen utilization within the fuel cell to increase heat. The heat reduces the amount of liquid in the fuel cell. A disclosed example method includes decreasing a supply of air to the fuel cell to lower a fuel cell voltage by increasing the oxygen utilization. The example method includes maintaining an essentially electrical current density while decreasing the supply of air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell installation comprising a fuel cell unit (6). Said installation is also provided with a dosing unit (8) which comprises at least one dosing valve (7) and is used to dose a fuel (10) for at least one anode (12) of the fuel cell unit (6), and a starting valve for dosing the fuel (10) for at least one cathode (19) of the fuel cell unit (6) during a starting phase. The aim of the invention is to be able to produce and operate one such fuel cell installation in an economical manner. To this end, at least one throttle element (18) comprising a fixed internal cross-sectional area is used to fix the maximum quantity of fuel that can be dosed in the starting phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic equipment including: a power source section including a fuel cell; and an electronic equipment main body driven by the electric power, wherein the power source section includes: a generation section including the fuel cell to perform power generation by the fuel cell and to discharge a discharging gas containing gaseous water; a discharging section to discharge a gas containing the gaseous water; and a control section to control a quantity of the gaseous water in the gas to be discharged from the discharging section on the basis of at least one of an ambient environmental condition of the electronic equipment and a usage state of the electronic equipment. Thereby, it can be prevented that the housing of the electronic equipment, the things around the electronic equipment, and a user of the electronic equipment are moistened by the water discharged from the discharging section.

Abstract: A fuel cell system 1000 includes: a gas exhaust flow path M2, 252 extended in a stacking direction of laminates 10 and configured to have one end located inside a fuel cell stack 100 and the other end located outside the fuel cell stack 100; and a water discharge flow path M3, 254 provided at a lower position than the gas exhaust flow path M2, 252 and formed to pass through at least part of the laminates 10. The gas exhaust flow path M2, 252 is interconnected with the water discharge flow path M3, 254 via at least one connecting section Mco in the fuel cell stack 100. The gas exhaust flow path M2, 254 includes a narrowed flow path 251 having the smaller sectional area than the sectional area of an adjacent flow path in downstream of the connecting section Mco. The water discharge flow path M3, 254 has a downstream end R1 connecting with the narrowed flow path 251.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to downsize a fuel cell, and to stably supply fuel to a fuel electrode. According to the present invention, the above described object is attained by providing a vaporized fuel container 1518 communicated with a liquid fuel container 1517 via a gas liquid separating film 1519 in the fuel cell 1516, in which a liquid fuel 124 supplied to a fuel electrode 102 is stored.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell with cathode and anode regions. The fuel cell system also includes an exchanging device through which an intake air flow flows to the cathode region and a used air flow is discharged from the cathode region. In the exchanging device, heat is transferred from the intake air flow to the used air flow, and water vapor is simultaneously transferred from the used air flow to the intake air flow. A compressor is arranged downstream of the exchanging device to receive used air. A catalytic material is arranged upstream of the turbine, to which material can be supplied a fuel-containing gas. The catalytic material is integrated into the exchanging device on the used air side and an exhaust gas from the anode region is supplied to the used air side of the exchanging device.

Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell (1); a water circulation passage through which water circulates, the water being necessary for an operation of a fuel cell system (100); a separation mechanism configured to divide the water circulation passage into a plurality of blocks when removing the water and to cut the flow of the water among the blocks; water discharge passages respectively connected to the blocks; and water discharge valves respectively provided on the water discharge passages.

Abstract: A waterless power generator, particularly a waterless electrical power generator and a passively controlled process for producing electricity with a fuel cell using stoichiometric amounts of a solid hydrogen fuel and byproduct water vapor produced by the fuel cell to generate hydrogen gas. A fuel cell reaction of hydrogen and oxygen produces electrical energy as well as by-product water which diffuses back into the power generator as water vapor to react with the hydrogen fuel, producing more hydrogen gas. This generated hydrogen gas is then used as a fuel which allows the fuel cell to generate additional electrical power and additional water. The process runs without any attached water source or water supply other than the water which is produced by the fuel cells themselves.

Abstract: An electrode structure 15 is received in a joint portion of frames 13, 14. A first gas diffusion layer 19 and a first gas passage forming member 21 are arranged on a first surface of the electrode structure 15. A second gas diffusion layer 20 and a second gas passage forming member 22 are formed on a second surface of the electrode structure 15. A separator 23 is joined with a surface of the frame 13 and a surface of the gas passage forming member 21. A separator 24 is joined with a surface of the frame 14 and a surface of the gas passage forming member 22. A water passage 28 is formed between a flat plate 25 of the gas passage forming member 22 and the separator 24. The water passage 28 has a depth set to a value smaller than depth of a gas passage T2 of the gas passage forming member 22. Generated water is introduced from the gas passage T2 of the gas passage forming member 22 to the water passage 28 through capillary action via communication holes 29.

Abstract: Methods and materials to improve water management in a fuel cell by microtexturing fuel cell elements, including the separator plate and/or the gas diffusion media. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell includes a separator plate and/or a gas diffusion media that are microtextured. Selective ablation of material and stamping can impart microtexturing, where the microtexturing facilitates water management in the fuel cell.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus includes: a gas-liquid separator that separates a gas and a liquid from a gas-liquid mixture fluid; a diluter disposed below the gas-liquid separator; and a communication pipe that communicates between the gas-liquid separator and the diluter, and that is disposed at a predetermined angle to a horizontal direction, and that introduces at least the liquid separated from the gas-liquid mixture fluid, into the diluter. The gas-liquid separator, the diluter, and the communication pipe are integrated.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed that includes a heat exchanger having first and second heat exchanger portions arranged in a fluid flow passage. The second heat exchanger portion is arranged downstream from the first heat exchanger portion. The first and second heat exchanger portions include a coolant flow passage and are configured to transfer heat between the fluid flow and coolant flow passages. The first heat exchanger portion includes a first corrosion-resistant material and the second heat exchanger portion includes a second corrosion-resistant material that is less corrosion-resistant than the first corrosion-resistant material. A collector, which includes a tray and/or a mist trap, is configured to collect acid in the first heat exchanger portion from a gas stream in the fluid flow passage. Collected acid can be sprayed into a gas stream upstream from a flow field of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system capable of inhibiting dew condensation in an area affected by freezing by providing an area for actively promoting dew condensation is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell and an off-gas passage for allowing an off-gas discharged from the fuel cell flow through, wherein a dew condensation promoting area for promoting dew condensation is placed around a freezing-affected area that will be adversely affected by freezing.

Abstract: A fuel cell and an electronic apparatus with same mounted thereon are provided. The fuel cell includes a power generation unit provided with a conduit for an oxidant gas containing at least oxygen, a heat radiation unit connected to the power generation unit so as to radiate heat from the power generation unit, a gas flow means for causing the oxidant gas to flow in the conduit, and a cooling means driven independently from the gas flow means so as to cool the heat radiation unit. By independently controlling the driving of the gas flow means and the cooling means, the fuel cell can be driven in such a manner that the temperature of the power generation unit and the amount of water remaining in the power generation unit are regulated into preferable conditions. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a fuel cell and an electronic apparatus with the same mounted thereon in which power generation can be performed stably and various apparatuses are contained therein in a compact form.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack include a first group of cells, provided in the vicinity of the overall negative end of a fuel cell stack, and second group of cells, provided throughout the remainder of the fuel cell stack. The first cells have a higher resistance to flooding than the second cells, and the overall polarity of the fuel cell stack is reversed, the end of the stack where the water content is largest is made overall positive.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes providing a fuel inlet stream into a fuel cell stack, operating the fuel cell stack to generate electricity and a hydrogen containing fuel exhaust stream, separating at least a portion of hydrogen contained in the fuel exhaust stream using a high temperature, low hydration ion exchange membrane cell stack, and providing the hydrogen separated from the fuel exhaust stream into the fuel inlet stream.

Abstract: In order to cause a plurality of cells in a fuel cell to be recovered to a desired humidity state, it is configured to determine that the cells present a mixture of dry and overly humid states in the case where a predetermined condition is satisfied, and in the case where it is determined that the cells present the mixture, humidifying control is carried out to cause all the cells to attain the overly humid state, and thereafter, drying control is carried out to dry all the cells, to thereby cause the plurality of cells to be recovered to a predetermined humidity state.

Abstract: An electrode structure 15 is accommodated in a joint portion of frames 13 and 14. A first gas diffusion layer 19 and a first gas passage forming member 21 are laid on a first surface of the electrode structure 15, and a second gas diffusion layer 20 and a second gas passage forming member 22 are laid on a second surface of the electrode structure 15. A separator 23 is joined to surfaces of the frame 13 and the gas passage forming member 21, and a separator 24 is joined to surfaces of the frame 14 and the gas passage forming member 22. A porous layer 26 having continuous pores is located between the gas passage forming member 22 and the separator 24. A drainage promoting member 30 formed of a porous material having continuous pores is provided to communicate with a downstream end of a second gas passage T2 of the second gas passage forming member 22 and to communicate with a downstream end of the continuous pores of the porous layer 26.