3m Innovative Properties Company

H2 Powertech, LLC

Other

Michael Tyler Hicks

Eric J Hanson

Daniel M Pierpont

Michael Andrew Yandrasits

Eric Joseph Hanson

Scott Alan Ripley

Eric J Iverson

Kevin C Desrosiers

Harol Koyama

David J Miller

Peter S Fedkiw

Clarence Garland Law, Jr

Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems and methods of operating the same. The methods include initiating supply of a stored hydrogen stream, which includes stored hydrogen gas, to a fuel cell stack. Prior to the initiating, the stored hydrogen gas is stored in a low-pressure hydrogen storage tank at a hydrogen storage pressure. The methods also include generating an electrical power output from the stored hydrogen gas with the fuel cell stack. The methods further include, during a supply time interval that is subsequent to the initiating, monitoring a hydrogen supply variable that is indicative of flow of the stored hydrogen stream to the fuel cell stack. The methods also include detecting a change in the hydrogen supply variable and responding to the detecting. The systems include a controller that is programmed to perform the methods.

Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems and methods of operating the same

Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems (HPFCS) and methods. The HPFCS includes a fuel processor configured to produce generated hydrogen gas, a hydrogen storage device configured to contain stored hydrogen gas, and a fuel cell stack configured to produce an initial electrical output from the stored hydrogen gas and an oxidant and to produce a subsequent electrical output from the generated hydrogen gas and the oxidant. The methods include detecting an inability of a primary power source to satisfy an applied load. Responsive to the detecting, the methods include initiating a startup of the fuel processor, supplying stored hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack to produce the initial electrical output, satisfying the applied load with the initial electrical output, supplying generated hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack after the startup to produce a subsequent electrical output, and satisfying the applied load with the subsequent electrical output.

Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems and methods of operating hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems for backup power operations

Systems and methods for forming a liquid mixture having a predetermined mix ratio and reforming systems, reforming methods, fuel cell systems, and fuel cell methods that utilize the liquid mixture. The methods include apportioning a preselected volume of liquid from a liquid source. During the apportioning, the liquid is a first liquid, and the methods further include providing a first preselected volume of the first liquid to a mix tank. The methods also include repeating the apportioning with a second liquid providing a second preselected volume of the second liquid to the mix tank to generate the liquid mixture. The methods also may include providing the liquid mixture to a reforming region, reforming the liquid mixture to generate a mixed gas stream that includes hydrogen gas, and providing the hydrogen gas to a fuel cell assembly to generate an electric current.

Systems and methods for forming a liquid mixture having a predetermined mix ratio and reforming systems, reforming methods, fuel cell systems, and fuel cell methods that utilize the liquid mixture

A first transport system moves a web comprising a subgasketed CCM layer and an application system applies a crosslinkable resin to at least a subgasketed portion of the subgasketed CCM layer. The crosslinkable resin preferably comprises a photocurable cationic crosslinkable resin. A first curing apparatus subjects an exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin to a photo curing process to initiate curing of the crosslinkable resin. A second transport system moves a GDL into adhering contact with a partially cured exposed surface of the crosslinkable resin of the CCM layer so as to form an MEA layer. A second curing apparatus subjects the GDL, partially cured crosslinkable resin, and CCM layer structure to a thermal curing process to substantially complete curing of the crosslinkable resin. A converting system is configured to receive the MEA layer and produce a plurality of discrete MEAs from the MEA layer.

Manufacturing of fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies incorporating photocurable cationic crosslinkable resin gasket

A method and apparatus for making fuel cell components via a roll to roll process are described. Spaced apart apertures are cut in first and second gasket webs that each include adhesives. The first and second gasket webs are transported to a bonding station on conveyers. A membrane web that includes at least an electrolyte membrane is also transported to the bonding station. At the bonding station, a gasketed membrane web is formed by attaching the first and second gasket webs to the membrane web. The first gasket web is attached to a first surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the first gasket web. The second gasket web is attached to a second surface of the membrane web via the adhesive layer of the second gasket web.

Processing methods and systems for assembling fuel cell perimeter gaskets

Disclosed is a process, for the electrolytic coupling of carboxylic acids, carried out in a polymer electrolyte membrane reactor. The reactor design (1) discloses the use of gaseous or neat liquid reactants without the use of organic cosolvents, (2) prevents the loss of platinum, and (3) permits the use of oxygen reduction to water as the cathode reaction.

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Bend, OR, United States of America

Michael Tyler Hicks