초록 ▼

A fuel cell system includes a first reactant intake manifold, a first reactant output manifold, a second reactant intake manifold, a second reactant output manifold, a cooling gas intake manifold, a cooling gas output manifold, a liquid intake manifold, fuel cells and a cooling elements distributed

A fuel cell system includes a first reactant intake manifold, a first reactant output manifold, a second reactant intake manifold, a second reactant output manifold, a cooling gas intake manifold, a cooling gas output manifold, a liquid intake manifold, fuel cells and a cooling elements distributed among the fuel cells. Each cooling element defines a coolant passage. During operation, a cooling gas flows from the cooling gas intake manifold into the cooling gas output manifold through the coolant passage. Each cooling element also includes a water injection path. During operation water from the liquid intake manifold is injected into the coolant passage to mix with the cooling gas passing therethrough.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method comprising: introducing a coolant gas into a channel defined within a fuel cell stack; introducing water into the channel, the water hydrating the coolant gas to produce a hydrated gas; allowing the hydrated gas to flow along the channel to an outlet port, the hydrated gas absorbing

1. A method comprising: introducing a coolant gas into a channel defined within a fuel cell stack; introducing water into the channel, the water hydrating the coolant gas to produce a hydrated gas; allowing the hydrated gas to flow along the channel to an outlet port, the hydrated gas absorbing heat from the stack as the hydrated gas flows along the channel; and allowing the hydrated gas to escape from the outlet port and thereby causing heat to flow from the fuel cell stack; directing the hydrated gas to a reactive surface of the fuel cell; and reacting the hydrated gas to generate electricity. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said reaction produces a hydrated exhaust stream, the method further comprising: condensing water from the hydrated exhaust stream by transferring heat from the hydrated exhaust stream; and introducing the condensed water into the channel to hydrate the coolant gas. 3. The method of claim 3 wherein heat is transferred from the hydrated exhaust system to residential heating system. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein heat is transferred from the hydrated exhaust system to at least one of water and air. 5. A method comprising: introducing a coolant gas into a channel defined within a fuel cell stack; introducing water into the channel, the water hydrating the coolant gas to produce a hydrated gas; allowing the hydrated gas to flow along the channel to an outlet port, the hydrated gas absorbing heat from the stack as the hydrated gas flows along the channel; and allowing the hydrated gas to escape from the outlet port and thereby causing heat to flow from the fuel cell stack, wherein the water is introduced at a pressure between 1 and 5 pounds per square inch. 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising directing the hydrated gas to a reactive surface of the fuel cell.