A method of starting operation of a fuel cell system which includes at least a fuel cell stack the method includes opening an anode inlet valve to allow fuel to enter an anode volume of the fuel cell stack; then operating an air compressor in fluid communication with a cathode air inlet of the fuel cell stack to allow air to enter a cathode volume of the fuel cell stack monitoring the temperature of the cathode inlet and/or outlet operating a water injection system to inject water into the cathode volume once the temperature of fluid passing through the cathode inlet and/or outlet exceeds a preset level, wherein a current drawn from the fuel cell stack is limited to prevent a voltage measured across one or more cells in the fuel cell stack from falling below a first voltage threshold.

A water management method for a fuel cell stack (FCS) is provided. The method may include outputting via a controller an FCS anode port estimated relative humidity value based on consumption of reactants and generation of products in the FCS and adjusting a humidification control strategy based on the value. The outputting may be in response to occurrence of a predicted FCS anode port relative humidity value from a model of a hydrogen recirculation system (HRS) of the FCS being within a predefined range. A fuel cell vehicle including a HRS and a controller is also provided. The HRS may include an ejector and a fuel cell stack having an anode port. The controller may be configured to activate a HRS model to calculate a real-time estimate of a relative humidity of the anode port based on an estimated flow rate of a secondary nozzle of the ejector.

A method for operating a solid oxide fuel cell having cathode-anode-electrolyte units, each including a first electrode for an oxidizing agent, a second electrode for combustible gas, and a solid electrolyte there between forming a metal interconnection between the CAE-units. The interconnect including a combustible gas distribution structure, and a second metallic gas distribution element having two channels for the oxidizing agent and separate channels for a tempering fluid. Cooling the second gas distribution element and a base layer of the first gas distribution element with the tempering fluid (O2). Measuring the first and second control temperatures T1 and T2. T1 being the tempering fluid temperature entering the fluid inlet side of the fuel cell. T2 being the tempering fluid temperature leaving the second gas distribution element. Where the amount of tempering fluid supplied to the second gas distribution element is controlled based on the difference between T1 and T2.

An exhaust liquid treatment assembly for a fuel cell system (FCS). The FCS includes a fuel cell stack and an FCS exhaust pipe fluidly connected to the fuel cell stack and configured to expel an exhaust stream from the FCS. The exhaust liquid treatment assembly includes a liquid tank having a liquid inlet in fluid communication with the FCS exhaust pipe and a liquid outlet. A liquid treatment filter separates the liquid inlet from the liquid outlet and includes a pH controlling material configured to mix with a liquid passing through the liquid treatment filter. A liquid level sensor configured to determine a level of liquid in the liquid tank. A controller is in communication with the liquid level sensor and configured to regulate a level of the liquid within the liquid tank by selectively opening and closing an outlet valve in fluid communication with the liquid outlet.

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack configured to generate electricity, an anode exhaust and a cathode exhaust, an anode tail gas oxidizer (ATO) configured to oxidize the anode exhaust using the cathode exhaust, and a low-temperature oxidizer (LTO) configured to catalyze oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO) in the cathode exhaust output from the ATO.

The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell including a cell stack configured to have a reforming catalyst for generating hydrogen from hydrocarbon, a first flow path configured to supply a fuel containing hydrocarbon to the cell stack, and a second flow path configured to supply an oxidant gas to the cell stack such that the oxidant gas flows oppositely or orthogonally to the fuel. The control method for the fuel cell system including: detecting a temperature of a discharged oxidant gas that is the oxidant gas discharged from the second flow path; and performing a temperature control of the fuel cell based on the temperature of the discharged oxidant gas.

A system includes a first fan configured to dissipate excess heat generated during electrochemical reactions that occur within a fuel cell stack of a fuel cell system and to direct exhaust air of the fuel cell system. A first air shroud surrounds the first fan, and the first air shroud includes a hinged door. The hinged door is configured to divert exhaust air from the first fan to an inlet of the fuel cell stack to keep an inlet air temperature of the fuel cell stack above a predetermined temperature level.

A computer-implemented method, for determining a hydrogen proportion in an exhaust gas stream of a hydrogen powered assembly configured so as to convert hydrogen and oxygen into water, wherein a balance sheet model is used to determine the hydrogen proportion by modeling the conversion of hydrogen and oxygen into water and using this as a basis for balancing hydrogen, oxygen, and water in an input hydrogen stream, an input oxygen stream, and in the exhaust gas stream of the assembly. In one example, the method includes deriving the hydrogen proportion in the exhaust gas stream via the balance sheet model from the input hydrogen stream of the assembly, the input oxygen stream of the assembly, and an oxygen proportion in the exhaust gas stream or an exhaust gas lambda value of the exhaust gas stream.

An air pressure in fuel cells of an electric power generation system comprising a fuel cell stack (PCS) is raised with a pressurized air cooling system with recirculation to values at least two times greater than typical values for an PCS with air cooling. The FCS is either placed in a high-pressure chamber to which air is injected, or air outgoing from the FCS is redirected via a duct back to the FCS inlet and a portion of pressurized fresh air is added thereto. The chamber or the duct is provided with a radiator by means of which circulating air heat is transferred into the external environment. Air recirculation in the chamber or the duct is effected by means of fans for cooling fuel cells. Useful capacity of electric power generation systems based on fuel cells is raised significantly, the necessity of using a humidifier is excluded, and the temperature range of fuel cell operation is expanded.

A fuel-cell exhaust system for a fuel cell system includes a water separation arrangement for separating water contained in fuel-cell exhaust gas and a hydrogen catalyst arrangement for catalytically converting hydrogen contained in the fuel-cell exhaust gas downstream of the water separation arrangement. The fuel-cell exhaust system is especially suited for a fuel cell system in a vehicle.