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 condensate water storage device including a storage container having an inlet port through which treatment target gas is introduced, and an outlet port through which the treatment target gas is discharged, the storage container storing condensate water contained in the treatment target gas, and a discharge member having a first end immersed in the condensate water in the storage container and a second end exposed to the outside of the storage container, the discharge member selectively discharging the condensate water to the outside of the storage container based on a supply pressure of the treatment target gas introduced into the storage container.

A fuel cell based power generator includes a fuel cell element, an ambient air path configured to receive ambient air and provide the ambient air across a cathode side of the fuel cell element, receive water from the fuel cell element and provide wet air to the water exchanger element, and a fuel cell cooling mechanism associated with the fuel cell element, separate from the ambient air path and configured to cool the fuel cell element.

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel inlet conduit configured to provide a fuel to a fuel inlet of the fuel cell stack, an electrochemical pump separator containing an electrolyte, a cathode, and a carbon monoxide tolerant anode, a fuel exhaust conduit that operatively connects a fuel exhaust outlet of the fuel cell stack to an anode inlet of the electrochemical pump separator, and a product conduit which operatively connects a cathode outlet of the electrochemical pump separator to the fuel inlet conduit.

A humidifier is provided having a humidifier module which is arranged between end plates and has a steam-permeable membrane, wherein on each of the two sides of the membrane, a flow field frame having a plurality of bridges defining a flow field is arranged, and between each flow field frame and the membrane a seal is arranged. A motor vehicle with a fuel cell device having a humidifier is also provided.

A fuel cell humidifier may completely or substantially completely prevent condensate water from entering a running fuel cell stack. The fuel cell humidifier includes a housing; a plurality of hollow fiber membranes arranged in the housing; a cap which is coupled to one end of the housing and has an air discharge port for supplying humidified air to the fuel cell stack; and a bypass tube for transferring condensate water generated from the humidified air to an interior space of the housing through which a discharge gas flows, wherein a first end of the bypass tube is disposed inside the air discharge port, and the bypass tube is in fluid communication with the interior space of the housing through a second end of the bypass tube.

An aircraft propulsion system comprises a gas turbine engine arranged to provide propulsive thrust and a fuel cell system having an air input port, the aircraft propulsion system being configured such that air from a compressor of the gas turbine engine is provided to the air input port during operation of the aircraft propulsion system. The fuel cell system is able to provide appreciable electrical power at altitude without the need for a dedicated compressor.

A condensate water storage device including a storage container defining a storage space to store condensate water, and having a discharge hole through which the condensate water is discharged to the outside, a valve unit to selectively open and close the discharge hole, a connection cable connected to the valve unit, and a winding unit connected to the connection cable to selectively wind the connection cable and manipulate an operation of the valve unit, thereby selectively discharging the condensate water, which is produced from a fuel cell.

An electrochemical cell utilizes an air flow device that draws air through the cell from a scrubber that may be removed while the system is operating. The negative pressure generated by the air flow device allows ambient air to enter the cell housing when the scrubber is removed, thereby enabling continued operation without the scrubber. A moisture management system passes outflow air from the cell through a humidity exchange module that transfers moisture to the air inflow, thereby increasing the humidity of the air inflow. A recirculation feature comprising a valve allow a controller to recirculate at least a portion of the outflow air back into the inflow air. The system may comprise an inflow bypass conduit and valve that allows the humidified inflow air to pass into the cell inlet without passing through the scrubber. The scrubber may contain reversible or irreversible scrubber media.