Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell, a coolant supply device for circulating a supply of the coolant through a coolant path for cooling the fuel cell, a fuel cell temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the fuel cell, a coolant temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the coolant in the coolant path, and a controller for controlling the amount of coolant circulated by the coolant supply device. The controller selects an operation mode of the fuel cell between a power generation mode and a power generation stop mode and calculates the difference between the detected coolant temperature and detected fuel cell temperature. While the operation mode is the power generation stop mode, the controller increases the amount of the coolant circulated as the difference between the detected coolant temperature and the detected fuel cell temperature increases.

Abstract: A module-type fuel cell system including a power module includes a generator installed inside and a power housing having a plurality of connection holes formed sideward, wherein the generator generates electricity through an oxidation-reduction reaction of an oxidizing agent with a hydrogen-containing fuel; a fuel supply module including a fuel supply unit installed inside and a power housing having a plurality of connection holes formed sideward, wherein the fuel supply unit supplies a hydrogen-containing fuel to the generator; an oxidizing agent supply module including an oxidizing agent supply unit installed inside and an oxidizing agent supply housing having connection holes formed sideward, wherein the oxidizing agent supply unit supplies an oxidizing agent to the generator; and a recovery module including a storage space formed therein and a recovery housing having a plurality of connection holes formed sideward, wherein the storage space recovers an unreacted fuel generated in the generator, wherein th

Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion apparatus has an evaporator for heating a working medium in liquid-phase to evaporate the working medium, an electric generator for forming a concentration cell for electric power generation when it is supplied with a reactive gas and the working medium evaporated by the evaporator, and a gas-liquid separator for being supplied with a mixed gas of the working medium and a cathode off-gas discharged from the electric generator and separating the mixed gas into the working medium and the reactive gas. The thermoelectric conversion apparatus also has an anode supply passage for supplying the reactive gas separated by the gas-liquid separator to the electric generator, and a cathode supply passage for supplying the working medium separated by the gas-liquid separator through the evaporator to the electric generator.

Abstract: A humidifier of the present invention includes a humidifier main body for humidifying a second fluid, using a humidified first fluid discharged from a fuel cell; a head portion of which one end is connected to an end of the humidifier main body and the other end is connected to the fuel cell or a supply passage extending from the fuel cell, and which supplies the second fluid after humidification to the fuel cell; and a chamber for communicating a bottom portion of a humidified gas flow passage formed within the head portion.

Abstract: A fuel reforming system and a fuel cell system including the same, the fuel reforming system including: a fuel reformer adapted to produce a reformed gas having hydrogen as a main component from a fuel containing hydrogen; a carbon monoxide (CO) remover adapted to remove carbon monoxide from the reformed gas; a heat source adapted to supply heat energy to the reformer and the CO remover; and a moving unit adapted to move the heat source between the fuel reformer and the CO remover. With this configuration, the fuel reformer and the CO remover can be directly heated by a heat source. Then, when the temperature of the CO remover reaches a catalyst activation temperature, the heat source can be moved to directly heat only the fuel reformer, thereby enhancing a reforming effect and a power generation efficiency of the fuel reforming system.

Abstract: A MEA-frame assembly is arranged in a mold for injection molding to form a first flow passage arranged so as to extend along the outer periphery of an electrode between the outer periphery of the electrode and the inner periphery of a frame, a second flow passage arranged so as to extend along an inner elastic member between the inner periphery and outer periphery of the frame and a plurality of connecting flow passages which communicate the first flow passage with the second flow passage. An elastic resin is injected into the first flow passage to fill the first flow passage with the elastic resin and to fill the second flow passage with the elastic resin through each of the communicating flow passages, thereby an elastic member which hermetically seals the space between the MEA-frame assembly and the separator is integrally formed.

Abstract: A MEA-frame assembly is arranged in a mold for injection molding to form a first flow passage arranged so as to extend along the outer periphery of an electrode between the outer periphery of the electrode and the inner periphery of a frame, a second flow passage arranged so as to extend along an inner elastic member between the inner periphery and outer periphery of the frame and a plurality of connecting flow passages which communicate the first flow passage with the second flow passage. An elastic resin is injected into the first flow passage to fill the first flow passage with the elastic resin and to fill the second flow passage with the elastic resin through each of the communicating flow passages, thereby an elastic member which hermetically seals the space between the MEA-frame assembly and the separator is integrally formed.

Abstract: An SOFC stack module including an integral individual stack manifold containing all of the gas pathways necessary for supply and exhaust of fuel gas and cathode air to and from the stack chimneys. The stack is mounted and hermetically joined directly to the manifold without an intermediate base plate. Flanges at the inlet and outlet ports couple to system distributary manifolds via high temperature sealing joints. The manifold preferably is fabricated of a ferritic stainless steel, and may be formed in a one-piece casting, a combination of multiple castings and stamped plates metallurgically joined (brazed or welded together), or stamped from sheet metal stock. Preferably, the manifold includes fin structures extending into adjacent fuel gas and cathode air chambers to enhance balancing of temperatures by heat exchange therebetween. Heat exchange may be further improved by configuring the manifold to have a plurality of interleaved anode and cathode gas supply chambers.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes an electricity generator for generating electric energy through a reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, a reformer for generating a reforming gas containing the hydrogen from a fuel through a catalytic reaction using thermal energy and for supplying the reforming gas to the electricity generator, a burner for generating the thermal energy and for supplying the thermal energy to the reformer, a fuel supply unit for supplying the fuel to the reformer, and an air supply unit for supplying air to the electricity generator. The fuel supply unit includes a main fuel tank for storing the fuel, at least one auxiliary fuel tank connected with the main fuel tank and the reformer, and a heating unit disposed in connection with the auxiliary fuel tank to heat the fuel stored in the auxiliary fuel tank.

Abstract: The present invention concerns improved configurations for a fuel cell army. The contacts for the positive electrode and the negative electrode are made outside the higher temperature active reaction space in a cooler area. Thus different more common materials are used which have a longer lifetime and have less stresses at their lower operating temperature. The invention utilizes tubular cell components connected with spines for efficient electron transfer and at least two manifolds outside the reaction zone, which may be cooled by external means. The external protruding connectors are thus at a lower operating temperature. This invention improves fuel cell life span, provides for lower cost, use of more common materials, and reduces the number thermal defects during operation.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell system is disclosed, comprising a fuel cell having a predetermined power generation portion configured to operate at a predetermined temperature to generate an electric power using a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas supplied to said fuel cell, and a humidifier configured to humidify the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas, wherein the humidifier is configured to humidify the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to allow the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas to have dew points higher than the predetermined temperature, the humidified fuel gas and oxidizing gas having the dew points higher than the operating temperature being supplied to the fuel cell.