Ballard Power Systems Corporation

Brian N Gorbell

Robert D Merritt

David S Watkins

Clarence Y Chow

Danny G Epp

Kenneth W Dircks

Beguslav M Wozniczka

A fluid manifold assembly for an array of electrochemical fuel cell stacks has a substantially fluid impermeable housing. Inlet passages are formed within the housing for introducing at least one inlet fluid stream to each of the fuel cell stacks. Outlet passages are formed within the housing for exhausting at least one outlet fluid stream from each of the fuel cell stacks.

Internal fluid manifold assembly for an electrochemical fuel cell stack

An electric power generation system has a regulated vacuum ejector for recirculating the fluid fuel stream. The system includes a fuel cell stack, a pressurized fuel supply having a pressure control valve for regulating the pressure of the fuel supply, a vacuum ejector interposed between the fuel supply and the stack fuel stream inlet, a pressure transducer interposed between the ejector discharge outlet and the stack fuel stream inlet, and a pressurized oxidant supply with a pressure transducer. The ejector suction inlet is fluidly connected to the fuel stream outlet of the fuel cell stack. The fuel stream pressure transducer transmits a signal to the pressure control valve to adjust the pressure of the fuel supply when the detected pressure of the fuel stream deviates from a predetermined value. The oxidant stream pressure transducer transmits a signal to the pressure control valve to adjust the pressure of the fuel supply when the detected pressure of the oxidant stream changes. The system is load-following to maintain uniform fuel stream pressure and recirculation ratio over a broad range of operating conditions. The system also maintains a balance between the pressure of the fuel stream and the pressure of the oxidant stream.

Electrochemical fuel cell system with a regulated vacuum ejector for

An integrated fuel cell power generation system comprises a fuel cell stack having a humidification section and an electrochemically active section. The humidification section imparts water vapor to an inlet hydrogen containing fuel stream and an inlet oxygen containing oxidant stream. The electrochemically active section comprises fuel cells for promoting the electrocatalytic conversion of the humidified fuel and oxidant streams to electric current and product water. The electrochemically active section also includes a coolant water stream for absorbing heat generated in the active section. The system includes a heat exchanger for removing heat from the coolant water stream exiting the active section, a water separator for removing water from the oxidant stream exiting the fuel cell stack, and a coolant reservoir for receiving the removed water stream from the water separator and from the heat exchanger. The coolant water stream is drawn from the coolant reservoir.

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Vancouver, Canada

Brian N Gorbell