Hydrogenics Corporation

Joseph Cargnelli

Jianming Ye

Ravi B Gopal

Joe Cargnelli

Todd A Simpson

Xuesong Chen

Ricardo Bazzarella

David Frank

Stephen Burany

Robert C Del Core

A regenerative energy and/or mass exchange assembly has: an exchange media; a first flow path to pass a fluid stream through the exchange media; at least a second flow path to pass a further fluid stream through the exchange media; and at least one fluid stream diverter to divert the different flow paths to pass the respective fluid streams through different regions of the exchange media. A method for operating the regenerative assembly is also provided.

Apparatus for exchanging energy and/or mass

A fuel cell system has: a fuel cell having a first reactant inlet, a first reactant outlet, a second reactant inlet, a second reactant outlet, and optionally a coolant inlet and coolant outlet. A first reactant supply subsystem supplies a first reactant incoming stream to the first reactant inlet of the fuel cell. A second reactant supply subsystem supplies a second reactant incoming stream to the second reactant inlet of the fuel cell. A first reactant recirculation subsystem recirculates at least a portion of the first reactant exhaust stream from the first reactant outlet to an enthalpy shifting subsystem in which one portion of the heat and moisture in first reactant exhaust stream is transferred to one of the first reactant incoming stream in the first reactant supply subsystem and the second reactant incoming stream in the second reactant supply subsystem. Another portion of the heat and moisture is transferred to the other stream. A method of controlling reactant and water in a fuel cell system is also disclosed.

System and method for management of gas and water in fuel cell system

Moisture recovery and humidification in a fuel cell system involving (i) intermittently switching each dryer in a plurality of dryers into and out of one of a first mode of operation for recovering moisture from an outgoing oxidant stream and a second mode of operation for humidifying an incoming oxidant stream such that during use at least one dryer is in the first mode of operation and at least one dryer is in the second mode of operation; (ii) directing the outgoing oxidant stream from the cathode through at least one dryer in the first mode of operation to recover moisture from the outgoing oxidant stream; and (iii) directing the incoming oxidant stream through at least one dryer in the second mode of operation to humidify the incoming oxidant stream with moisture.

Regenerative dryer device and method for water recovery, primarily in the cathode side, of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

A manifold for a fuel cell system, has a manifold body and a plurality of first ports in the manifold body, for connecting to fuel cell peripherals. A plurality of second ports in the manifold body provide connections to a fuel cell. A plurality of first fluid passages within the manifold provide communication between respective ones of the first ports and respective ones of the second ports, whereby, in use, the fluid passages communicate fluids between the fuel cell stack and fuel cell peripherals. The manifold provides a higher degree of system integration, considerably reduced piping, fittings and associated hardware and hence generally reduces the size and weight of the fuel cell system. Thermal-fluid related system losses are also minimized.

Manifold for a fuel cell system

A manifold for a fuel cell system comprises a plurality of first ports for connecting to fuel cell peripherals; a plurality of ports for connecting to a fuel cell stack; and a plurality of fluid passages within the manifold in communication with the said plurality of ports connecting to the fuel cell peripherals and with the first and second ports for providing, communication of fluids between the fuel cell stack and fuel cell peripherals. The manifold provides a higher degree of system integration, considerably reduced piping, fittings and associated hardware and hence generally reduces the size and weight of the fuel cell system. Thermal-fluid related system losses are also minimized.

A back pressure valve, comprises: a first housing including a first chamber formed therein having an inlet and an outlet for a first fluid; a second housing including a second chamber formed; a flexible diaphragm having an outer peripheral edge portion abutting the second housing; and closing off the second chamber; a back pressure member moveably disposed in the first chamber of the first housing, wherein the first chamber is defined by the first housing and the back pressure member; wherein the flexible diaphragm is fixed onto and moveable together with the back pressure member, whereby pressure in the second chamber determines fluid pressure required to maintain the back pressure member in a steady position.

Back pressure valve with dynamic pressure control

The present Invention relates to a humidifier that has a housing defining a chamber having at least one open end. The housing is provided with a gas inlet connectable in fluid communication with a source of gas having a first moisture content, and a gas outlet connectable with a passageway for the withdrawal of a gas having a second moisture content greater than the first moisture content. The humidifier also has at least one fluid distributing portion disposed within the at least one open end of the housing to continuously distribute a fluid within the chamber, and at least one baffle disposed within the housing to define a flow path for the gas to be humidified. During operation, the gas absorbs at least a portion of the fluid as the fluid is being continuously distributed in the chamber thereby increasing the moisture content of the gas as it travels from the gas inlet towards the gas outlet. Packing material can be provided in the housing to further increase the contact area between the gas and the water, if desired.

Humidifier

A condenser, for cooling a gas flow containing a vapor to promote condensation of the vapor, has a generally cylindrical chamber. Gas is admitted at one end of the chamber and is given a swirl component of velocity. The gas then travels axially along the length of the chamber, and passes radially through poles into the bore of a separator. The swirl velocity of the gas flow tends to through water droplets radially outwards, where they can drain down the inside of a casing defining the chamber. The separator can include a skirt portion separating the main chamber from a water collection compartment. Cooling to cause condensation is provided by an external jacket, preferably having a coolant flowing through it in a helical fashion.

Growing community of inventors

North York, Canada

Jianming Ye