A system includes power modules received within a frame of a ventilation enclosure. Each of the power modules has a fuel cell stack. A ventilation shaft is arranged along a rear side of the ventilation enclosure and sealingly receives the power modules so that exhaust outlets of the power modules di
A system includes power modules received within a frame of a ventilation enclosure. Each of the power modules has a fuel cell stack. A ventilation shaft is arranged along a rear side of the ventilation enclosure and sealingly receives the power modules so that exhaust outlets of the power modules discharge into the ventilation shaft. Each of the power modules is removably attachable to the ventilation shaft through the front side of the ventilation enclosure. A fuel supply pipe in the ventilation shaft supplies fuel to fuel inlets of the power modules. An exhaust pump draws exhaust fluid out of the ventilation shaft.
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1. A system, comprising: a ventilation enclosure having a front side, a rear side, and a frame generally between the front and rear sides;a plurality of power modules received within the frame, each of the power modules comprising an external casing, a fuel cell stack housed within the external casi
1. A system, comprising: a ventilation enclosure having a front side, a rear side, and a frame generally between the front and rear sides;a plurality of power modules received within the frame, each of the power modules comprising an external casing, a fuel cell stack housed within the external casing, a fuel inlet for supplying fuel to the fuel cell stack, and at least one exhaust outlet for discharging exhaust gases from the power module, the fuel inlet and the exhaust outlet being accessible through the external casing at a rear of the power module;a ventilation shaft arranged along the rear side of the ventilation enclosure and comprising a plurality of connection apertures, each of the connection apertures being adapted to sealingly receive the rear of a respective power module so that the exhaust outlet of the respective power module discharges into the ventilation shaft;a fuel supply pipe extending into the ventilation shaft, and arranged to supply fuel to the fuel inlets of the power modules; andan exhaust pump connected to the ventilation shaft and arranged to draw exhaust fluid out of the ventilation shaft,wherein each of the power modules is removably attachable to the ventilation shaft through the front side of the ventilation enclosure, and with the respective unoccupied connection aperture of the ventilation shaft being sealable to prevent air ingress into the ventilation shaft when the power module is not present. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of rack rails, and each of the power modules comprises side rails that are dimensioned for sliding fit with the rack rails of the frame. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein, for each of the power modules, the external casing comprises a collar extending beyond the rear of the power module, and the connection apertures each comprise an annular seal adapted to engage the respective collar to form a sealing connection. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein, for each of the power modules, the external casing comprises a vent opening at a front of the power module to provide air ingress into the external casing. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the ventilation shaft comprises a vent opening at a bottom thereof to provide air ingress into the ventilation shaft. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the fuel supply pipe comprises a shut-off valve arranged to selectively enable and disable flow of fuel to the power modules, and the ventilation shaft encompasses the fuel supply pipe at least up to and including the shut-off valve. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller for monitoring system operation, the controller being arranged outside of the ventilation shaft and the external casings of the power modules. 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a valve assembly arranged in the ventilation shaft and connected to the fuel supply pipe, the controller being configured to operate the valve assembly to distribute fuel from the fuel supply pipe to the fuel inlets of the power modules. 9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a pressure sensor arranged in the ventilation shaft to communicate a pressure signal to the controller. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to regulate the exhaust pump to maintain a pressure differential between the ventilation shaft and ambient atmosphere. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the power modules comprises connection sockets at the rear of the external casing for connection to a coolant supply. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the power modules comprises connections at the rear of the external casing for distributing electrical power. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is arranged in a building and the exhaust pump is arranged to discharge air through an exterior vent to outside of the building. 14. A power module, comprising: an external casing;a fuel cell stack housed in the external casing;a vent opening to provide air ingress into the external casing for supply of air to the fuel cell stack;a collar extending from the external casing for sealably connecting with a ventilation shaft;a fuel inlet for supplying fuel to the fuel cell stack, the fuel inlet being accessible through the collar so that fuel is supplied to the fuel cell stack through the ventilation shaft; andat least one exhaust outlet for discharging exhaust gases from the power module, the exhaust outlet being directed through the collar so that the exhaust gases discharge into the ventilation shaft. 15. A method, comprising: providing a plurality of power modules, each of the power modules comprising an external casing, a fuel cell stack housed within the external casing, a fuel inlet for supplying fuel to the fuel cell stack, and at least one exhaust outlet for discharging exhaust gases from the power module;mounting the power modules onto a frame;providing sealed main vents connecting the power modules to a ventilation shaft, so that, for each of the power modules, the fuel inlet is accessible through the ventilation shaft and the main vent, and the exhaust outlet is in communication with the ventilation shaft through the main vent;supplying fuel through the ventilation shaft to the fuel inlets of the power modules; anddischarging exhaust gases from the exhaust outlets of the power modules into the ventilation shaft. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising drawing exhaust fluid out of the ventilation shaft. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising venting the ventilation shaft to provide air ingress to the ventilation shaft. 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising monitoring a pressure in the ventilation shaft, and maintaining a pressure differential between the ventilation shaft and ambient atmosphere.
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