Abstract:
An undulating structure for use in a fuel cell includes a plurality of peaks and valleys. A method of making a structure for use in a fuel cell includes providing a mesh or screen sheet having one or more edges, forming the mesh or screen sheet into an undulating structure and treating one or more of the edges. A flow field for a fuel cell, comprising at least one metal mesh or screen, wherein the at least one metal mesh or screen includes a plurality of peaks and valleys. A fuel cell, comprising a first corrugated mesh or screen positioned within an anode of the fuel cell, a second corrugated mesh or screen positioned within a cathode of the fuel cell, and a membrane positioned between the first corrugated mesh or screen and the second corrugated mesh or screen.
Abstract:
The cathode recirculation system for a fuel cell module may include an inert gas inlet passage configured to receive inert gas and an oxygen gas inlet passage configured to receive oxygen, a blending component in fluid communication with the inert gas inlet passage, the oxygen gas inlet passage, and an inlet of at least one cathode, and a recirculation line in fluid communication with an outlet of the at least one cathode and the blending component configured to recirculate a mixed gas stream containing oxygen and an inert gas. At least a portion of the mixed gas released from the at least one cathode may be recirculated back to the blending component where oxygen, inert gas, or both oxygen and inert gas are introduced into the recirculated mixed gas stream and then supplied to the inlet of the at least one cathode.
Abstract:
An electrochemical cell includes a pair of bipolar plates and a membrane electrode assembly between the bipolar plates. The membrane electrode assembly comprises an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and a proton exchange membrane disposed therebetween. The cell further includes a sealing surface formed in one of the pair of bipolar plates and a gasket located between the sealing surface and the proton exchange membrane. The gasket is configured to plastically deform to create a seal about one of the cathode compartment or the anode compartment. The sealing surface can include one or more protrusions.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a compressed fuel storage system. The compressed fuel storage system may include an electrochemical compressor and one or more fuel dispensing units. The electrochemical compressor may be configured to compress a fuel source. Additionally, the compressed fuel storage system may include at least one low pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the electrochemical compressor and the fuel dispensing units and at least one high pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the electrochemical compressor and the fuel dispensing units.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure may include an electrochemical cell system. The electrochemical cell system may comprise an electrochemical cell stack having a plurality of electrochemical cells arranged in series. A first side of the electrochemical cell stack may have a first length, and a second side of the electrochemical cell stack may have a second length, wherein the first length is different than the second length.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for dynamically controlling seal decompression. The method includes monitoring a set of parameters associated with an operation of a seal, wherein the set of parameters includes a maximum pressure subjected to the seal and an exposure time at the maximum pressure, calculating a target pressure ramp down rate based on at least one of the maximum pressure and the exposure time, and decreasing a pressure about the seal at a decompression rate that is based on the target pressure ramp down rate. The system includes a controller having a memory device, a graphical user interface, at least one pressure transmitter configured to monitor the pressure about the seal, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to detect a maximum exposure pressure and exposure time at maximum pressure about the seal and control a pressure ramp down about the seal based on the maximum exposure pressure and the exposure time detected in order to prevent explosive decompression of the seal.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a method for tuning the performance of at least one electrochemical cell of an electrochemical cell stack. The method includes supplying power to an electrochemical cell stack. The electrochemical cell stack includes a plurality of electrochemical cells. The method further includes monitoring a parameter of at least one electrochemical cell and determining if an electrochemical cell becomes impaired. The method also includes diverting a fraction of the current flow from the impaired electrochemical cell during operation of the electrochemical cell stack.
Abstract:
One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a fuel cell power system. The system may include one or more fuel cells configured to generate electric power and a compressor configured to supply compressed air to the one or more fuel cells. The system may further include one or more sensors. The sensors may be configured to generate a signal indicative of at least one measured parameter of air flow across the one or more fuel cells. The system may also include a controller in communication with the one or more fuel cells, the compressor, and the sensors. The controller may be configured to determine a desired pressure drop based on at least one calculated parameter, determine a control command for the compressor based on the desired pressure drop, and adjust the control command based on a feedback gain parameter and a feed forward gain parameter.
Abstract:
In accordance with one embodiment, a method of producing hydrogen gas meeting a predetermined threshold of purity may include transferring a quantity of a hydrogen gas mixture through an electrochemical hydrogen pump, wherein the electrochemical hydrogen pump includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte membrane located between the anode and the cathode; separating a quantity of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas mixture by transferring the hydrogen gas from the anode, through the electrolyte membrane, to the cathode; collecting the hydrogen gas from the cathode, wherein the collected hydrogen gas at least meets the predetermined threshold of purity; and producing a certificate that the collected hydrogen gas has a purity that is at least substantially equal to the predetermined threshold of purity.
Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a compressed fuel dispensing station having a compressor configured to compress a fuel source, a plurality of fuel dispensing units, at least one low pressure compressed fuel reservoir fluidly connected to the fuel compressor and the plurality of fuel dispensing units, and a plurality of high pressure compressed fuel reservoirs, wherein each high pressure compressed fuel reservoir is fluidly connected to the fuel compressor and at least one fuel dispensing unit.