The present invention relates to a downhole power supply device for supplying power in situ to a power consuming device arranged in a well, comprising a fuel cell producing electricity and water and having a fuel inlet, an oxidising inlet, an electric output and a water outlet, a fuel container fluidly connected to the fuel inlet, and an oxidising agent container fluidly connected to the oxidising inlet, wherein the fuel cell has an internal pressure which is at least 1.0 bar for increasing a boiling temperature of the water produced in the fuel cell. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a downhole system.

A fuel cell assembly is disclosed comprising a fuel cell electrode component and a reactant gas flow component ink bonded thereto. In one aspect direct bonding of a gas diffusion layer with a flow field is achieved allowing a simplified structural configuration. In another aspect improved component printing techniques reduce corrosion effects. In a further aspect flow fields are described providing reactant channels extending in both the horizontal and vertical directions, i.e. providing three dimensional flow. In a further aspect an improved wicking material allows wicking away and reactant humidification. In a further aspect improved mechanical fastenings and connectors are provided. In a further aspect improved humidification approaches are described. Further improved aspects are additionally disclosed.

A system for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cells, each comprising a plurality of electrodes and a liquid ionically conductive medium, includes a first gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell. The system also includes a desiccator unit communicated to the first air conduit and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase. The system additionally includes a heater for selectively heating the desiccant to selectively release extracted water from the desiccator unit. The system further includes a return conduit communicating the desiccator unit to the ionically conductive medium for receiving extracted water from the desiccator unit, and directing the extracted water to the ionically conductive medium. Other associated systems and methods are also disclosed.

Disclosed is a fuel cell filter including a body including therein an internal space in which a fluid flows, an inlet port provided in the body and configured to receive a fluid discharged from a fuel cell stack, a gas-water separating membrane disposed in the internal space and configured to block a liquid fluid included in a fluid absorbed in the inlet port from flowing upwards, a discharge port provided in the body and configured to externally discharge the liquid fluid blocked in the gas-water separating membrane, a water absorbent disposed in the internal space and configured to absorb water included in a gaseous fluid passing through the gas-water separating membrane, and a gas outlet port provided in the body and configured to externally discharge gas separated in the gas-water separating membrane.

A system for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cells, each comprising a plurality of electrodes and a liquid ionically conductive medium, includes a first gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell. The system also includes a desiccator unit communicated to the first air conduit and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase. The system additionally includes a heater for selectively heating the desiccant to selectively release extracted water from the desiccator unit. The system further includes a return conduit communicating the desiccator unit to the ionically conductive medium for receiving extracted water from the desiccator unit, and directing the extracted water to the ionically conductive medium. Other associated systems and methods are also disclosed.

A system and methods for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cell is disclosed. The system includes a gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell, a desiccator unit connected to each electrochemical cell and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase, a heater for selectively heating the desiccator unit, and a carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubber connected to the desiccator unit. The system may capture water vapor at the desiccator unit from a humid gas-phase exiting electrochemical cell, or release water vapor in desiccator unit, via actuation of heater, that is transported into the electrochemical cell depending on the mode of operation. The CO2 scrubber may also be used to capture water vapor, based on the mode of operation.

Structures and methods are disclosed for removing water, and particularly for preventing ice blockages, in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells comprising reactant vias that fluidly connect a reactant transition region to a reactant port. Water can be removed from the reactant via by making its surface superhydrophobic while incorporating at least one additional via with a hydrophilic surface in parallel therewith.

A system and method are provided for increasing efficiency of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system by recapturing water via a condensate extraction system that extracts water from a hot cathode exhaust flow of the SOFC stack. Further, the SOFC system can include a radiant heater which has a fuel inlet, an air intake, and an exhaust outlet independent and separate from the power generating components in the SOFC system. The radiant heater can bring the SOFC stack up to operating temperature quickly and/or maintain near operational mode temperatures of the SOFC stack during a hibernation mode.

A system and methods for managing water content in one or more electrochemical cell is disclosed. The system includes a gas-phase conduit for receiving humid gas-phase associated with the electrochemical cell, a desiccator unit connected to each electrochemical cell and configured for extracting water from the humid gas-phase, a heater for selectively heating the desiccator unit, and a carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubber connected to the desiccator unit. The system may capture water vapor at the desiccator unit from a humid gas-phase exiting electrochemical cell, or release water vapor in desiccator unit, via actuation of heater, that is transported into the electrochemical cell depending on the mode of operation. The CO2 scrubber may also be used to capture water vapor, based on the mode of operation.

A polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention includes: a unit cell including a membrane-electrode assembly and a pair of separators; a manifold; a gas introducing member; and a first member. A recess is formed at a gas lead-out port side of the gas introducing member so as to be connected to the gas lead-out port. The first member is provided such that a communication portion thereof communicates with the manifold. The gas introducing member is provided such that: the recess communicates with the communication portion; and when viewed from a thickness direction of the polymer electrolyte membrane, the gas lead-out port and a main surface of the first member overlap each other.