Modular regenerative fuel cell system

Abstract

A modular, regenerative fuel cell system that includes a plurality of dedicated or reversible electrochemical cell stack modules, where each such module is devoid of major fluid systems, is provided. The inventive system allows a user to specifically and effectively tailor the system to the demands of a particular application. If additional electrolysis capability and/or additional power are needed, only electrolysis cell stack modules and/or fuel cell stack modules are added to the system. The use of unnecessary or duplicative support equipment is avoided thereby rendering this system more cost effective and efficient.

1 . A modular, regenerative fuel cell system that comprises one or more of each of the following functional modules: reversible fuel cell stack modules; and fluid modules, and means for storing hydrogen gas. 
     
     
         2 . A modular, regenerative fuel cell system that comprises:
 (a) one or more reversible fuel cell stack modules, each in fluid communication with at least one fluid module, and in electrical communication with a power source, an external load or power grid, and control means, and each being adapted to convert water, water vapor, or an aqueous solution into at least a hydrogen gas, and to extract chemical energy from hydrogen gas and air or oxygen and convert the extracted chemical energy into electrical power;   (b) one or more fluid modules in fluid communication with (i) a source of water, water vapor, or aqueous solution, (ii) means for storing hydrogen gas, (iii) a source of air or oxygen, and (iv) the one or more reversible fuel cell stack modules, and in electrical communication with a power source and control means, for providing water, water vapor, or aqueous solution, hydrogen gas, and air or oxygen to the one or more reversible fuel cell stack modules, and for delivering hydrogen gas generated by the one or more reversible fuel cell stack modules to the means for storing hydrogen gas;   (c) a power source;   (d) control means; and   (e) means for storing hydrogen gas.   
     
     
         3 . A modular, regenerative fuel cell system, that comprises:
 (a) a hydrogen gas storage tank;   (b) reversible fuel cell stack modules, each in fluid communication with a fluid module, and in electrical communication with power means, an external load or power grid, and control means, each being adapted to convert water, water vapor, or an aqueous solution into at least a hydrogen gas, and to extract chemical energy from hydrogen gas and air or oxygen and convert the extracted chemical energy into electrical power;   (c) a fluid module in fluid communication with (i) a source of water, water vapor, or aqueous solution, (ii) means for storing hydrogen gas, (iii) a source of air or oxygen, and (iv) the reversible fuel cell stack modules, and in electrical communication with the power means and the control means, for providing water, water vapor, or aqueous solution, hydrogen gas, and air or oxygen to the reversible fuel cell stack modules;   (d) one or more batteries;   (e) power means for (i) receiving power from an energy source, (ii) optionally, charging the one or more batteries, (iii) providing power to the fluid module, and (iv) converting variable power from the reversible fuel cell stack modules to constant or relatively constant voltages and/or for inverting direct currents to alternating currents;   (f) monitoring means for monitoring information regarding all aspects of the modular regenerative fuel cell system and for communicating the information to the control means; and   (g) control means for receiving information from the monitoring means and for controlling all aspects of the modular regenerative fuel cell system, thereby assuring continuous, uninterrupted system operation.