Methods and systems are provided for transporting and hydrating a redox flow battery system with a portable field hydration system. In one example, the redox flow battery system may be hydrated with the portable field hydration system in a dry state, in the absence of liquids. In this way, a redox flow battery system may be assembled and transported from a battery manufacturing facility to an end-use location off-site while the redox flow battery system is in the dry state, thereby reducing shipping costs, design complexities, as well as logistical and environmental concerns.

Methods and systems are provided for transporting and hydrating a redox flow battery system with a portable field hydration system. In one example, the redox flow battery system may be hydrated with the portable field hydration system in a dry state, in the absence of liquids. In this way, a redox flow battery system may be assembled and transported from a battery manufacturing facility to an end-use location off-site while the redox flow battery system is in the dry state, thereby reducing shipping costs, design complexities, as well as logistical and environmental concerns.

A method of operating a fuel cell system includes the operating a fuel cell unit, the recovery at the outlet of the fuel cell unit of a carbon dioxide-rich anodic gas flow, the cooling of the anodic gas flow and the condensation of the water present in the anodic gas flow in order to form a dry anodic flow, the introduction of the dry anodic flow into a carbon dioxide capture unit in order to form a carbon dioxide gas flow and a carbon dioxide-depleted anodic flow, the recycling of at least portion of the carbon dioxide-depleted anodic flow into the fuel feed flow.

An evaporation water tank for a fuel cell device may include a tank bottom, a plurality of tank side walls, and a tank cover that collectively define a collection volume for evaporation water and tank air. The plurality of tank side walls may be arranged on and project away from the tank bottom. The tank cover may be arranged a distance away from the tank bottom and on the plurality of tank side walls. The tank may also include an evaporation water inlet via which an inflow of evaporation water is flowable into the collection volume and at least one evaporation water outlet via which an outflow of evaporation water is flowable from the collection volume. The evaporation water inlet may be arranged on at least one of the plurality of tank side walls. The at least one evaporation water outlet may be arranged on the tank bottom.

The present invention relates to a fuel cell device (1) having a fuel cell (2) which, during operation, emits water as a product of cold combustion; a supply air path (3) leading to the fuel cell (2) for a cathode supply air flow (5), which defines a supply air flow direction (4), the cathode supply air flow coming from water-containing supply air supplied to the fuel cell (2); and an exhaust air path (7)leading away from the fuel cell (2), for a cathode exhaust air flow (9), which defines an exhaust air flow direction (8), the cathode exhaust air flow coming from water-containing exhaust air flowing out of the fuel cell (2). The supply air path (3) and the exhaust air path (7) are routed through a humidifier (10) of the fuel cell device (1), which humidifier communicates fluidically with the supply air and the exhaust air, to humidify the supply air and dehumidifying the exhaust air. The exhaust air path (7) is also routed through a water separator (11) of the fuel cell device (1), which water separator communicates fluidically with the exhaust air, for removing water from the exhaust air and for providing this water as evaporation water. The fuel cell device (1) also has a heat exchanger (12) for cooling the fuel cell (2), which heat exchanger has an evaporative cooler (13) for cooling the heat exchanger (12). It is essential that the evaporative cooler (13) is assigned to the water separator (11) in fluidic communication and that it is supplied with evaporation water by same.

A fuel cell module includes a stack including a plurality of fuel cells stacked together, at least one dummy cell in contact with the stack at an end portion of the stack in a stacking direction, a reactant gas supply path configured to supply a reactant gas that is either a fuel gas or an oxidant gas to the fuel cells and the dummy cell, and a reactant gas discharge path in communication with the fuel cells and the dummy cell. The fuel cells and the dummy cell each include a reactant gas flow path configured to cause the reactant gas from the reactant gas supply path to flow toward the reactant gas discharge path. Pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the dummy cell is smaller than pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the fuel cells.

A fuel cell module includes a stack including a plurality of fuel cells stacked together, at least one dummy cell in contact with the stack at an end portion of the stack in a stacking direction, a reactant gas supply path configured to supply a reactant gas that is either a fuel gas or an oxidant gas to the fuel cells and the dummy cell, and a reactant gas discharge path in communication with the fuel cells and the dummy cell. The fuel cells and the dummy cell each include a reactant gas flow path configured to cause the reactant gas from the reactant gas supply path to flow toward the reactant gas discharge path. Pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the dummy cell is smaller than pressure loss of the reactant gas flow path of the fuel cells.

The invention provides a range extension system including a range extension assembly, a fuel supply unit, and a second fuel storage device. The range extension assembly has a first fuel input portion and a second fuel input portion. The first fuel input portion is configured to receive a first fuel source. The second fuel input portion is configured to receive a second fuel source different from the first fuel source. The second fuel source and the first fuel source are mixed in the range extension assembly to generate an electrical output. The fuel supply unit is configured to provide the first fuel source to the first fuel input portion. The second fuel storage device is configured to store and provide the second fuel source to the second fuel input portion.

The invention provides a range extension system including a range extension assembly, a fuel supply unit, and a second fuel storage device. The range extension assembly has a first fuel input portion and a second fuel input portion. The first fuel input portion is configured to receive a first fuel source. The second fuel input portion is configured to receive a second fuel source different from the first fuel source. The second fuel source and the first fuel source are mixed in the range extension assembly to generate an electrical output. The fuel supply unit is configured to provide the first fuel source to the first fuel input portion. The second fuel storage device is configured to store and provide the second fuel source to the second fuel input portion.

Systems and methods are provided for maintaining and/or improving operating lifetime for molten carbonate fuel cells that contain reforming catalyst in the anode when processing cathode input flows that contain sulfur oxides. The systems and methods can include a serial arrangement of molten carbonate fuel cells, where a first fuel cell includes a reduced or minimized amount of reforming catalyst in the anode. A second molten carbonate fuel cell can include reforming catalyst in the anode.