Hydrogenics Corporation

Pierre Rivard

David Frank

Xuesong Chen

Joe Cargnelli

Ravi B Gopal

Norman A Freeman

Cedric Pelland

Laurent Abbatiello

A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying fuel, and optionally oxidant, supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The fuel is supplied in excess of the oxidant to the catalytic reactor, so as to generate a stream of fuel which is both heated and humidified. For a closed system, a heated and humidified fuel flow, and optionally a heated and humidified oxidant flow, are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.

Method of operating a fuel cell to provide a heated and humidified oxidant

Method of heating and humidifying at least one of a fuel stream and an oxidant stream for a fuel cell

Catalytic humidifier and heater for the fuel stream of a fuel cell

A method and apparatus are provided for humidifying oxidant supplied to a fuel cell system, which can be a single fuel cell or a multiplicity of fuel cells. A catalytic reactor is provided, which is supplied with a portion of the fuel and the oxidant. The oxidant is supplied in excess of the fuel to the reactor, so as to generate a stream of oxidant which is both heated and humidified. For an air breathing stack, this heated oxidant can simply be mixed with air flowing through the fuel cell stack. For a closed system, a heated and humidified oxidant flow, and optionally a fuel flow are mixed with additional flows of these gases supplied to the fuel cell.

Catalytic humidifier and heater, primarily for humidification of the oxidant stream for a fuel cell

This invention discloses a self-contained, portable, cost-effective apparatus for measuring the real and imaginary components of a fuel cell's complex impedance at discrete frequencies. The apparatus comprises a CPU, a signal generation device, a fuel cell, a load bank, current and voltage sensing circuitry and a waveform acquisition device. The measurements can be done in real time and automated. The fuel cell's internal resistance can be calculated thereby providing an indication of the electrical efficiency of the fuel cell.

Measurement of fuel cell impedance

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Toronto, Canada

Pierre Rivard