A hydrogen communication hole of a water electrolysis apparatus is formed to penetrate in a stacking direction through an anode separator, an electrolyte membrane, and a cathode separator. A communication hole body, which is disposed between an anode current collector and the hydrogen communication hole, includes an inside member facing toward the hydrogen communication hole, and an outside member facing toward the anode current collector. On the outside member, there are provided accommodating chambers in which seal members are accommodated, and an opposing surface that faces toward the inside member without the seal members being interposed therebetween. The accommodating chambers and the hydrogen communication hole communicate via through holes, which are formed in the inside member in a manner so that openings on one end thereof face toward the opposing surface, and openings on another end thereof face toward the hydrogen communication hole.

An electrochemical hydrogen compression apparatus and a method for the collection and compression of hydrogen. The apparatus includes a cathode having a surface that is modified with a Tafel inhibitor that inhibits the Tafel reaction at the cathode surface. The same cathode surface may also include a Volmer catalyst to enhance the Volmer reaction at the cathode surface. The apparatus and method can advantageously increase the pressure of collected hydrogen, and may be useful for supplying the hydrogen to energy producing devices, such as a fuel cell.

A tank-type power generation device capable of manufacturing high-pressure hydrogen installed in a fuel cell vehicle, which utilizes the hydrogen in order to generate power and can reduce the manufacturing cost of the vehicle without need for a separate fuel cell, and a fuel cell vehicle. A partition member partitions the interior of a tank main body into two sections, and includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane in contact with the individual sections. A supply means can switch water and a gas containing oxygen to supply it to one section. An electrolytic power generation means includes electrodes on both membrane surfaces and when the water is supplied by the supply means, it can perform electrolysis by applying a voltage between the electrodes to store hydrogen gas in one section and when the gas containing oxygen is supplied, it can generate power by reacting the gas with the hydrogen gas.

An apparatus includes: an electrolyte membrane; a cathode catalyst layer provided to one main surface of the electrolyte membrane; an anode catalyst layer provided to the other main surface of the electrolyte membrane; a cathode gas diffusion layer provided on a main surface of the cathode catalyst layer not facing the electrolyte membrane; a separator including a recess through which cathode gas flows; an anode gas diffusion layer provided on a main surface of the anode catalyst layer not facing the electrolyte membrane; a voltage applicator applying a voltage between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer; and a fastener fastening a laminated body. The cathode gas diffusion layer is accommodated in the recess, projects from the recess in a thickness direction before fastening of the laminated body, and includes an elastic member between side surfaces of the cathode gas diffusion layer and of the recess.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to a solar fuel generator. In one aspect, a device includes a photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell having a first surface and a second surface, a mesh disposed on the first surface of the photovoltaic cell, and a polymer disposed on the mesh and on the first surface of the photovoltaic cell. The mesh has a catalyst disposed thereon. The polymer covers the first surface of the photovoltaic cell, with at least a portion of the mesh not being covered with the polymer.

Among other things, a device for use in electrolyzing water is described. The device comprises an electrolysis unit that includes a chamber, an ion exchange structure in the chamber, a cathode, an anode, a high pressure chamber, and a reservoir. The chamber is separated by the ion exchange structure into a first compartment and a second compartment. The cathode is in the first compartment and the anode in the second compartment. The reservoir is disposed in the high pressure chamber for storing water to be supplied to the chamber of the electrolysis unit. In some implementations, the ion exchange structure is a proton exchange membrane.

The application relates to a novel module for electrolysis or co-electrolysis of water or of SOFC fuel cell, within which the forces necessary to compress the seals are decoupled from those necessary for the electrical contact elements that ensure the passage of current in the module.

A method of sealing a multi-component bipolar plate is disclosed. The method may include inserting a first seal between a first component and a second component, wherein the first seal is aligned with a first plurality of protrusions formed on a surface of at least one of the first component and the second component. The method may also include compressing the first component and the second component to cause the penetration of the first plurality of protrusions into the first seal. The method may further include plastically deforming the first seal in order to create a first sealing surface between the first component and the second component.

A system for regulating the pressure of a high-temperature electrolysis or co-electrolysis (HTE) reactor or a fuel cell (SOFC) operating under pressure. The operation of the system includes: regulating the DH wet gas flow upstream of one of the chambers so as to ensure the electrochemical stability of the predetermined operating point; regulating the DO gas flow upstream of the at least one second chamber so as to ensure gas scavenging in the at least one second chamber, and in the enclosure; regulating the flow of second gas circulating in the enclosure, downstream of the enclosure, so as to ensure the detection of leaks and safety in relation thereto and to prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere; and controlling the pressure, by means of the regulation valves arranged downstream of the stack, on the gases, including the wet gas, which are also generally hot.

A carbon dioxide electrolytic device comprises: an electrolysis cell including a cathode, an anode, a carbon dioxide source to supply carbon dioxide to the cathode, a solution source to supply an electrolytic solution, and a separator separating the anode and the cathode; a power controller connected to the anode and the cathode; a refresh material source including a gas source to supply a gaseous substance, and a solution source to supply a rinse solution; and a controller to control the carbon dioxide source, the solution source, the power controller, and the refresh material source in accordance with request criteria of a performance of the cell and thus stop the supply of the carbon dioxide and the electrolytic solution, and apply the voltage therebetween while supplying the rinse solution thereto.