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.

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.

A method for manufacturing a heat exchanger includes: providing a porous material that has a porosity of about 30% to about 80%; forming an oxide layer on a surface of the porous material by heat treating the porous material at a temperature in a range of 600° C. to 900° C. for a time period in a range of 8 hours to 12 hours in air; and integrating the porous material into a cold side flow passage of the heat exchanger.

When a time point of occurrence of a stop state of a fuel cell system is predicted during traveling, a drying state control that causes a fuel cell stack to transition to a dry state is started a predetermined time (a required drying time) before the predicted time point of occurrence of the stop state.

Methods and apparatus for reducing the tendency for mold formation and accumulation in membrane-based humidifiers used in PEM fuel cell systems can include reducing the oxygen concentration and/or generating hydrogen peroxide within the humidifier upon shutdown of a fuel cell system. In some embodiments, a fuel cell system comprises valves and lines located and operable to facilitate introduction of hydrogen into the humidifier upon shutdown of the system. In some embodiments, a fuel cell humidifier comprises a catalyst for promoting the generation of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen, and/or comprises acidic gas transport layers.

A power-to-X system having an electrolyzer and an energy converter which are connected together via a hydrogen line. The system additionally has a chemical reactor for catalytically removing oxygen, a first heat exchanger, a water separator, a store, and a humidifier which are connected into the hydrogen line in the stated order one behind the other between the electrolyzer and the energy converter. A second heat exchanger is arranged in the hydrogen line such that a first side of the second heat exchanger is arranged in front of the first heat exchanger and a second side of the second heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the water separator in the hydrogen line.

The invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell system (100), having a fuel cell stack (20) with a plurality of fuel cells (110) each having at least one cathode portion (K) and at least one anode portion (A), a compressor (10) for conveying air into the cathode portions (K), a pressure-sustaining valve (40), and a control device (50), the at least one cathode portion (K) being arranged downstream of and in fluid communication with the compressor (10) and upstream of and in fluid communication with the pressure-sustaining valve (40), the fuel cell system (100) having a high-pressure region (HDB) between the compressor (10) and the pressure-sustaining valve (40). The invention further relates to a control device (50) and to a fuel cell system (100).

A fuel cell vehicle is mounted with a fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack and a battery. The fuel cell vehicle controls operation of the fuel cell system with an ECU, to perform standby power generation from activation to when travel is allowed and to perform power generation during operation of the fuel cell vehicle after travel has been allowed. In an activation method, the power generation current is increased in accordance with a low-temperature efficiency rate during the power generation during operation, the battery is charged and the power generation current is increased in accordance with a standby current increase rate that is lower than the low-temperature efficiency rate during the standby power generation.

System for supplying compressed air to a fuel cell of a vehicle, comprising a first compressor having an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for delivering compressed air to the fuel cell; an air storage tank arranged upstream and in series with the first compressor and configured to store compressed air of high pressure; an air selection control assembly comprising a selection valve and a switch actuator configured to operate the selection valve, wherein said selection valve is arranged in between air storage tank and inlet of the first compressor, and further in fluid communication with an inlet conduit for receiving fresh air, said switch actuator being configured to operate the selection valve to selectively control flow of air to the first compressor such that air can be supplied from the air storage tank to the first compressor or from the fresh air inlet conduit to the first compressor.

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for fuel cell regeneration after degradation.