Abstract: An assembly has a plurality of fuel cell stacks with at least one wall. At least one manifold portion is provided outwardly of the at least one wall of each of the fuel cell stacks. The at least one manifold portion for a pair of the plurality of fuel cell stacks is on facing surfaces with an intermediate wall between the at least one of the manifold portions on the pair of the plurality of fuel cell stacks. A method of forming an assembly of a plurality of fuel cell stacks is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cell unit of a fuel cell includes a first membrane electrode assembly, a first metal separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a second metal separator. Frames are provided at outer circumferences of the first and second membrane electrode assemblies. An oxygen-containing gas supply passage and a fuel gas supply passage, and an oxygen-containing gas discharge passage and a fuel gas discharge passage are provided in one pair of opposite sides of the frames, and a pair of coolant supply passages and a pair of coolant discharge passages are provided in the other pair of opposite sides of the frames at distances from one another.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack body formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells. At one end of the stack body, a terminal plate, an insulating member, and an end plate are stacked. At the other end of the stack body, a terminal plate, an insulating member, and an end plate are stacked. A coolant channel is formed between the insulating member and the end plate for allowing a coolant to flow along a surface of the end plate.

Abstract: A separator having planar shape may comprise a second inner wall and a third inner wall formed inside of the separator and disposed between a first hole and a plurality of first inner walls. The second inner wall and the third inner walls may comprise a plurality of first grooves formed inside of the separator and a plurality of first concaves facing the plurality of first grooves inside of the separator. Each of the plurality of first grooves extends between the first hole and the plurality of first inner walls along a first direction. Each of the plurality of first concaves curves outward from inside of the separator and extends between one of the plurality of first grooves and other of the plurality of first grooves.

Abstract: A sub-assembly for an electrochemical stack, such as a PEM fuel cell stack, has a bipolar plate with sealing material extending from its upper face, around the edge of the bipolar plate, and onto its lower face. The bipolar plate is preferably a combination of an anode plate and a cathode plate defining an internal coolant flow field and bonded together by sealing material which also provides a seal around the coolant flow field. All of the sealing material in the sub-assembly may be one contiguous mass. To make the sub-assembly, anode and cathode plates are loaded into a mold. Liquid sealing material is injected into the mold and fills a gap between the edge of the plates, and portions of the outer faces of the plates, and the mold. In a stack, sub-assemblies are separated by MEAs which at least partially overlap the sealing material on their faces.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack arrangement includes a fuel cells arranged between a first and a second end plate. At least one of the end plates is designed as a channel end plate with at least one channel. The channel has a stack opening, which is opened in the direction of the stack, and a second opening. The stack opening and the second opening are connected to each other via a channel section and are arranged at a distance to each other in a top view looking down on the channel end plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack has a plurality of laminated cell units, with each of the cell units including a membrane electrode assembly sandwiched between two separators, and cooling fluid passage channels are formed between each adjacent cell units for flowing cooling fluid. Displacement absorbing members have a plurality of displacement absorbing projections that absorb displacement along a laminated direction of the cell unit and are provided in the cooling fluid passage channels. The displacement absorbing projections of the displacement absorbing members are disposed so as to cancel out any bending moments generated on the cell unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and separators, an inner sealing member and an outer sealing member, a coolant channel, a base seal, an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion, and a middle protrusion. The membrane electrode assembly and the separators are stacked in a stacking direction. The inner sealing member and the outer sealing member are disposed between a first separator and a second separator. The base seal is disposed on at least one of separator surfaces between the second separator and a third separator. The inner protrusion and the outer protrusion are provided on the base seal so as to respectively overlap the inner sealing member and the outer sealing member when viewed in the stacking direction and so as to protrude between the second separator and the third separator in the stacking direction.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly (1), having at least one fuel cell (10) with a cathode (11) and an anode, the cathode (11) and the anode each having a fluid inlet (12) and a fluid outlet (13), a cooling device (14) for cooling at least the cathode (11) of the fuel cell (10) by means of a coolant, and a device (15) for influencing the moisture content of at least one cathode fluid.

Abstract: A fuel cell system with an ejector is provided. In particular, the system includes a stack, fuel injection nozzle and a water injection nozzle. In particular, the stack produces electricity via an electrochemical reaction using fuel and air. The fuel injection nozzle injects fuel into the stack and the water injection nozzle injects water into the fuel injection nozzle. In particular, water is supplied from the water injection nozzle into the fuel injection nozzle due to a vacuum within the fuel injection nozzle.

Abstract: A circulation pipe for a coolant is connected to a fuel cell. A pump and a heat exchanger are connected to the circulation pipe. A bypass pipe is connected in parallel with the pump. An ion exchanger is connected to the bypass pipe. An electronic cooling device is connected to the bypass pipe on an upstream side of the ion exchanger. The coolant, which is supplied to the ion exchanger, is cooled by the electronic cooling device to a predetermined temperature, so that the ion-exchange resins are prevented from being abnormally heated by the coolant.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stack of fuel cells, a first end plate, a second end plate, a fluid manifold member, and a protrusion. In the stack of fuel cells, the fuel cells are stacked in a stacking direction. The first end plate is disposed on a first end of the stack of fuel cells in the stacking direction. The second end plate is disposed on a second end of the stack of fuel cells in the stacking direction. The fluid manifold member is disposed on at least one of the first and second end plates. The fluid manifold member allows a fluid to flow through the fuel cells. The protrusion is disposed around a joint region at which the fluid manifold member is joined to the at least one of the first and second end plates. The protrusion protrudes outward in the stacking direction.

Abstract: A heater includes a heater housing extending along a heater axis. A fuel cell stack assembly is disposed within the heater housing and includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. An electric resistive heating element is disposed within the heater housing. A positive conductor is disposed within the heater housing and is connected to the fuel cell stack assembly and to the electric resistive heating element and a negative conductor is connected to the fuel cell stack assembly and to the electric resistive heating element. The electric resistive heating element is arranged to elevate the fuel cell stack assembly from a first inactive temperature to a second active temperature.

Abstract: A target value of each of factors in a fuel cell system is determined based on a correspondence relationship of a change in each of the factors determining reaction conditions of fuel in a fuel cell to a change in an external environment of the fuel cell system, and peripheral devices of the fuel cell affecting the reaction conditions of the fuel in the fuel cell are controlled according to a target value of each of the factors.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a stacked body, a first terminal plate, a first insulating plate, a first end plate, and a first insulating collar member. The first insulating collar member includes a first tubular portion and a first flange portion. The first tubular portion is provided in the first fluid manifold hole. The first flange portion is disposed at one end of the first tubular portion. Another end of the first tubular portion projects to an outside of the first fluid manifold hole and is in slidably contact with an inner circumferential surface of the first outer manifold member via an outer circumferential surface sealing member. The first flange portion is in contact with the first insulating plate via an end-face sealing member.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a heat exchange unit that performs heat exchange between a gas mixture containing source hydrogen and a circulating gas and cooling water used for controlling the temperature of the fuel cell stack. A system controller adjusts the temperature of the cooling water by controlling a temperature control unit on the basis of the temperature of source hydrogen flowing into a junction at which the source hydrogen and a circulating gas are mixed such that the temperature of a source/recirculated hydrogen mixture that is mixed at the junction and that is supplied to the fuel cell stack is kept within a managed temperature range.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed that employs a thermal sensor for measuring an amount of heat generated in the fuel cell system, wherein a sensor signal from the thermal sensor is used to adjust operation of the fuel cell system when the fuel cell system is operating outside of desired thermal operating conditions.

Abstract: A bipolar fuel cell plate (300) for use in a fuel cell comprising a plurality of flow field channels (704) and a coolant distribution structure (708) formed as part of the fluid flow field plate. The coolant distribution structure is configured to direct coolant droplets (701) into the flow field channels. The coolant distribution structure comprises one or more elements (710) associated with one or more flow field channels, the elements having a first surface (712) for receiving a coolant droplet and a second surface (714) having a shape that defines a coolant droplet detachment region for directing a coolant droplet into the associated field flow channel.

Abstract: The multi-section cathode air heat exchanger (102) includes at least a first heat exchanger section (104), and a fixed contact oxidation catalyzed section (126) secured adjacent each other in a stack association. Cool cathode inlet air flows through cool air channels (110) of the at least first (104) and oxidation catalyzed sections (126). Hot anode exhaust flows through hot air channels (124) of the oxidation catalyzed section (126) and is combusted therein. The combusted anode exhaust then flows through hot air channels (112) of the first section (104) of the cathode air heat exchanger (102). The cool and hot air channels (110, 112) are secured in direct heat exchange relationship with each other so that temperatures of the heat exchanger (102) do not exceed 800° C. to minimize requirements for using expensive, high-temperature alloys.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell stack (10) for a fuel cell system, in particular of a vehicle, in which by reversing the flow direction (14, 16) of a coolant during a cooling operation, the coolant in the fuel cell stack (10) is initially conveyed in a first direction (14). The coolant is subsequently conveyed in a second direction (16) which is at least substantially opposite to the first direction (14). A time period, after the elapse of which the flow direction (14, 16) is reversed, is changed during the cooling operation. In addition, a distance at which a coolant volume is situated from a heat source (12) that is present in the fuel cell stack (10) may be changed during the cooling operation. The invention further relates to a fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes fuel cells, a circulation channel of a coolant to cool the fuel cells, and an ion exchange resin provided on the circulation channel to maintain electrical conductivity of the coolant. The coolant contains an additive. The ion exchange resin is prepared so that adsorption of the additive on the ion exchange resin is in a saturated state. A fuel-cell vehicle includes the fuel cell system.

Abstract: There are provided a hydrogen production apparatus and a hydrogen producing method that can easily bring the temperature of a gas to be supplied to a preferential oxidation catalyst bed to a proper range without the necessity of flow rate control of a cooling medium, and a fuel cell system which is relatively inexpensive and can easily realize stable operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for substantially continuously manufacturing fuel cells are provided. Each cell generates electrical power from reactions of reactants therein. Each cell comprises component parts assembled and/or laminated together in a stacked configuration.

Abstract: The fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack in which a plurality of planar power generation cells are stacked in a thickness direction thereof. The fuel cell also includes a heat exchanger provided between the two adjacent power generation cells in the stacking direction and in contact with the power generation cells, and including an internal first flow path that passes the oxidant gas or fuel gas supplied from outside. The fuel cell also includes a second flow path connected to an outlet side of the first flow path of the heat exchanger and to the cathode side or the anode side of each of the power generation cells, and supplying the oxidant gas or fuel gas that has passed through the first flow path to the cathode side or anode side of each of the power generation cells on both sides in the stacking direction of the heat exchanger.

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: This invention relates to a fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell stack; a hydrogen-gas supply device configured to supply hydrogen gas filled in a hydrogen tank into the fuel cell stack along with pressure reduction of the hydrogen gas; an air supply duct configured to supply air into the fuel cell stack; and an air exhaust duct configured to exhaust surplus air from the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen-gas supply device is disposed inside a heat exchange chamber capable of communicating with the air supply duct and the air exhaust duct.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell system includes a first fuel cell tube, a flame tip protection member and a current conduction member. The first fuel cell tube has a flame end. The flame end has exit opening. The fuel cell tube is configured to deliver combustible gas to the flame tip region generating a flame kernel. The flame protection member is configured to inhibit at least one of mass transfer and heat transfer between the fuel cell tube and the flame tip region. The current conduction member is disposed through the exit opening of the flame end of the first fuel cell tube.

Abstract: The invention provides tubular solid oxide fuel cell devices and a fuel cell system incorporating a plurality of the fuel devices, each device including an elongate tube having a reaction zone for heating to an operating reaction temperature, and at least one cold zone that remains at a low temperature below the operating reaction temperature when the reaction zone is heated. An electrolyte is disposed between anodes and cathodes in the reaction zone, and the anode and cathode each have an electrical pathway extending to an exterior surface in a cold zone for electrical connection at low temperature. In one embodiment, the tubular device is a spiral rolled structure, and in another embodiment, the tubular device is a concentrically arranged device. The system further includes the devices positioned with their reaction zones in a hot zone chamber and their cold zones extending outside the hot zone chamber.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system and a mobile body capable of restraining freeze in an air cleaner. The fuel cell system includes an air cleaner for cleaning the air to be supplied to a fuel cell and a heater for heating the air cleaner. The air cleaner can be alternatively heated by supplying a refrigerant in a refrigerant piping system to the air cleaner instead of using the heater.

Abstract: A line device (1) for a fuel cell (10), having at least one feed section (2) with a feed opening (4), and a removal section (3) with a removal opening (5), wherein the feed section (2) is designed for supplying a fluid to a first side (12) of an active surface (11) of the fuel cell (10) and the removal section (3) is designed for removing the fluid from a second side (13) of the active surface (11) of the fuel cell (10), and the fluid can flow along at least two flow paths (20, 21, 22) from the feed opening (4) through the active surface (11) to the removal opening (5) for the fluid, wherein the feed section (2).

Abstract: A high temperature steam electrolysis or fuel cell electric power generating facility, including at least two electrochemical reactors fluidly connected in series to each other by their cathode compartment(s). At least one heat exchanger is arranged between two reactors in series, a primary circuit of the heat exchanger being connected to an external heat source configured to provide heat to fluid(s) at an outlet of an upstream reactor prior to be introduced at an inlet of a downstream reactor.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit, and a fuel heat exchanger containing a fuel reformation catalyst. The fuel heat exchanger is connected to the fuel inlet conduit and to at least one fuel cell system exhaust conduit which in operation provides a high temperature exhaust stream to the fuel heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the water balance in a power unit by providing the exhaust gas from the cathode side of the fuel cell as a feed gas to the combustion system condensing at least a portion of water present in the effluent from the combustion system in a condenser, and then transferring water vapor from the uncondensed portion of the effluent from the condenser to the gas fed to the cathode side of the fuel cell. Water from the exhaust gas from the cathode side of the fuel cell is either captured in the condenser, or is reused in the feed gas of the cathode side of the fuel cell. By humidifying the air fed into system with the water vapor present in the exhaust gas, water is not lost from the system. Instead, the air is being fed into the system is humidified with this water, which in turn allows the humidifier to operated at higher temperatures and/or use smaller radiators and fans and/or draw less parasitic power, thereby increasing overall system efficiency.

Abstract: An exemplary method of providing an electrolyte for a fuel cell comprises including a electrolyte precursor within a fuel cell. An electrolyte is generated within the fuel cell from the precursor. An exemplary fuel cell system includes a cell stack assembly. A manifold is associated with the cell stack assembly. An electrolyte precursor is within at least one of the cell stack assembly or manifold for generating an electrolyte within a fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a main body including a first partial header and a fastening point. The main body is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of plates forming a fuel cell stack, allowing a single plate design to be used for multiple fuel cell stack lengths having a large differential of energy requirements, affording a durable alignment mechanism for the fuel cell stack, and providing integration flexibility for components and configurations of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: An apparatus preventing over-cooling of a fuel cell is provided that includes a cooling fluid manifold which is mounted to a stack of the fuel cell and through which cooling fluid flows therethrough. End plates are arranged on both ends of the stack of a fuel cell, and at least one protrusion is provided on one surface of each of the end plates. The at least one protrusion is disposed inside a cooling fluid manifold to reduce the flow amount of the cooling fluid which flows in and out between the separating plates through the cooling fluid manifold.

Abstract: Spliced bipolar plates for fuel cells are provided. The spliced bipolar plate includes a supporting plate and a splice plate. The supporting plate has thee inlet openings and three outlet openings formed on both ends. A plurality of coolant flow channels are provided on one side of the supporting plate, while a recess of a uniform thickness is provided on the opposite side of the supporting plate. One side of the recess is opened to a transverse or a longitudinal side of the supporting plate. The splice plate is divided into a reaction zone part and an extended part by the supporting plate. The size of the reaction zone part is substantially the same as the volume of the recess such that the reaction zone part is received in the recess, thus connecting the splice plate to the supporting plate. The extended part of the splice plate is projected beyond the supporting plate.

Abstract: Provided are a heat recovery apparatus based on a fuel cell and an operating method thereof. In the fuel cell-based heat recovery apparatus and the operating method thereof, hot water and steam may be generated by using heat generated while a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) operates to supply the generated hot water or steam to buildings, thereby reducing a rate of operation in cooling/heating equipment using electricity so as to reduce air-conditioning costs.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having compression retention features that functions dually to provide compression retention and to provide structural sealing and vehicle mounting capability, eliminating the bulk of an additional structural enclosure while retaining the balance of plant simplicity associated with the use of structural enclosures. The fuel cell system has fuel cells disposed between a dry end unit plate and a wet end unit plate and a compression retention system with a pair of opposing end caps and a pair of opposing side panels such that wet end unit plate is fixedly secured to the opposing end caps and the dry end unit plate is adjustably secured to the opposing end caps. Methods for eliminating the effect of stack height variance and balance of plant tolerances on fuel cell system installation are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention includes: a fuel cell supplied with fuel gas and oxidizing gas to generate electricity; a fuel gas supply unit supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell; an oxidizing gas supply unit supplying the oxidizing gas to the fuel cell; an aftercooler cooling the oxidizing gas supplied to the fuel cell by heat exchange with a coolant; an oxidizing gas temperature detector detecting temperature of the oxidizing gas; and a coolant circulation controller starting circulation of the coolant when the detected temperature of the oxidizing gas exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value is set to a value of not higher than a minimum electricity generation temperature of the fuel cell, and a circulation timing and flow rate of the coolant for the aftercooler are controlled such that the supplied oxidizing gas does not become cold. This enables the fuel cell to generate electricity at cold start-up.

Abstract: An electrochemical system including a stack of a longitudinal axis with alternating ceramic cells and interconnectors and including a thermal management mechanism incorporated in the stack, the thermal management mechanism including plates having a structured lateral surface through which a thermal transfer by radiation towards outside of the stack takes place.

Abstract: A thermal priority fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly for generating an electrical power output. The cell stack assembly includes an anode, a cathode, and a waste heat recovery loop. The anode is configured to receive a fuel, the cathode is configured to receive an oxidizer, and the cell stack assembly is configured to generate the electrical power output by electrochemically reacting the anode fuel and the cathode oxidizer in the presence of a catalyst. The waste heat recovery loop includes a coolant inlet conduit and a coolant outlet conduit, and is configured to remove waste heat generated from the electrochemical reaction. A waste heat recovery loop is thermally coupled to the cell stack assembly for managing the waste heat of the cell stack assembly and for supplying thermal power to a thermal load demand. The waste heat recovery loop includes a heat exchanger in heat exchange relationship with the coolant outlet conduit and the thermal load demand.

Abstract: Various hot box fuel cell system components are provided, such as heat exchangers, steam generator and other components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel cell stack which can reduce variation in temperature distribution of whole cells by a simple change in the structure of a coolant inlet manifold and a coolant outlet manifold in the fuel cell stack without the use of a conventional insulator, which increases the thickness of the fuel cell stack, a heater, which requires a power supply and its control logic, or a cover for forming an air layer for thermal insulation, which disadvantageously prevents the heat generated in the electrode from being transferred to the end plate.

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cell that comprises a cell core and a thermal exchanger suitable for supplying said cell core with a fluid at a given temperature required for its operation, wherein the exchanger comprises a cold fluid circuit and provides a thermal interface with a hot fluid circuit, the cold fluid circuit supplying the fluid inlet of the cell core and the hot fluid circuit being supplied by the fluid outlet of the cell core, characterized in that the thermal exchanger is provided concentrically relative to the cell core.

Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell and includes a medium circulation passage, a heat medium tank, a first circulator, a recovered water tank, a water circulation passage, a second circulator, a water purifier, a temperature detector, and a controller. The heat medium circulation passage and the water circulation passage are configured so as to realize heat exchange between a heat medium and water. The controller executes a circulation operation in which when the temperature detector detects a temperature lower than a first temperature capable of sterilizing microorganisms, the second circulator is caused to operate such that the temperature detected by the temperature detector becomes the first temperature or higher.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for a vehicle includes a burner for producing a heat flow by combustion of a fuel gas which reacts with an oxidant. A heating heat exchanger provided to heat a vehicle passenger compartment is arranged in a coolant circuit of the fuel cell system, and is externally heated, at least at times, by the burner.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment includes a fuel cell comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane sandwiched between an anode and a cathode, a gas diffusion layer disposed over each of the cathode and the anode, a gas flow distributor layer disposed over the gas diffusion layer on both the anode and cathode sides, and optionally a coolant plate disposed over the gas flow distributor layer. The thermal resistance of the combined gas diffusion layer and gas flow distributor layer on the anode and/or cathode side is sufficient to allow the cathode catalyst layer to operate at an elevated temperature to effectively evaporate water produced at the cathode.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a fuel cell stack in a cold start mode is provided. The apparatus comprises a fuel cell stack, a power converter, and a controller. The power converter may include a power switch and resistive heating element that is thermally coupled to the fuel cell stack. The controller is configured to activate the power converter, if a temperature is below a predetermined temperature value, to draw current from the fuel cell stack to cause the fuel cell stack to generate heat. Heat from the power converter is also applied to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack module includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a base supporting the plurality of fuel cell stacks, and a metal shell located over the base and the fuel cell stacks. The metal shell contains an integrated heat exchanger.