Ion exchange membrane fuel cell

• US 6,468,682 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2000
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Emergent Power Inc. (Plug Power Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avista Laboratories Inc. (Plug Power Inc.)
• Inventors: DeVries, Peter D., Lloyd, Glen Alden, Lott, David R., Fuglevand, William A., Scartozzi, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): KALAFUT, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US09/577,407
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 429/30, 429/32, 429/26, 429/34, 429/38, 429/39
• US Class Current: 429/413
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0247 characterised by the form characterised by a channel configuration H01M8/0258
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0258 characterised by the configuration of channels, e.g. by the flow field of the reactant or coolant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04007 related to heat exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04089 of gaseous reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/1004 characterised by membrane-electrode assemblies [MEA] H01M8/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/247 Arrangements for tightening a stack, for accommodation of a stack in a tank or for assembling different tanks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 429/90 Fuel cell including means for power conditioning, e.g. Conversion to ac

Abstract

An ion exchange membrane fuel cell is described and which includes a module enclosing a membrane electrode diffusion assembly which has an active area defined by a surface area, and which produces an average current density of at least about 350 mA per square centimeter of surface area when supplied with a dilute fuel at a nominal voltage of about 0.5 volts.

Claims

1. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell, comprising:

multiple modules each enclosing a membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein at least one of the modules can be easily removed from the ion exchange membrane fuel cell, by hand, while the remaining modules continue to operate, and wherein each of the modules produce heat energy during operation, and wherein each of the modules have an anode heat sink which removes a preponderance of the heat energy generated by the respective modules.

2. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell, comprising:

multiple modules each enclosing a membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein at least one of the modules can be easily removed from the ion exchange membrane fuel cell, by hand, while the remaining modules continue to operate, and wherein each of the modules produce heat energy during operation, and wherein each module has a bifurcated air flow which regulates the operational temperature of each module by removing the heat energy therefrom.

3. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell comprising:

multiple modules each enclosing a pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies disposed in spaced relation, one to the other, and wherein each membrane electrode diffusion assembly has an anode side, and an opposite cathode side, and wherein the cathode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly is proximally related, and the respective anode sides are distally related, and wherein each cathode side defines, in part, a cathode air passageway, and wherein at least one of the modules can be easily removed from the ion exchange membrane fuel cell, by hand, while the remaining modules continue to operate.

4. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 3, and wherein each of the modules produce heat energy during operation, and wherein a cathode current collector rests in ohmic electrical contact with the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly and exerts force on the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and conducts, in part, the heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly away from the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

5. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell comprising:

multiple modules each enclosing a membrane electrode diffusion assembly which has opposite anode an cathode sides, and wherein at least one of the modules can be easily removed from the ion exchange membrane fuel cell, by hand, while the remaining modules continue to operate, and wherein each module further has an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the anode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein each module further has a bifurcated air flow comprising a cathode air stream and an anode heat sink air stream, and wherein each module produces heat energy during operation, and wherein less than a preponderance of the heat energy is removed by the cathode air stream.

6. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 5, wherein a preponderance of the heat energy is removed by the anode heat sink.

7. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell comprising:

a module enclosing a membrane electrode diffusion assembly which has opposite anode and cathode sides, and which has an active area defined by a surface area, and which produces an average current density of at least about 350 mA per square centimeter of surface area when supplied with a fuel having a hydrogen concentration of about 30% to about 80% at a nominal voltage of at least about 0.5 volts, and wherein during operation, the ion exchange membrane fuel cell produces heat energy, and wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell has an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the anode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly to remove a preponderance of the heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

8. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the anode has a plurality of channels formed therein, and wherein the module has a cathode air flow which removes less than a preponderance of the heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

9. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 7, wherein the membrane electrode diffusion assembly has a cathode air flow, and wherein the anode heat sink and the cathode air flow remove the heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly during operation.

10. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell comprising:

a module enclosing a membrane electrode diffusion assembly which has opposite anode and cathode sides and which produces heat energy during operation, and which further produces an average current density of at least about 350 mA per square centimeter of surface area when supplied with a fuel which has a hydrogen concentration of about 30% to about 80%, and wherein the module further has a bifurcated air flow for removing the heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

11. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 10, wherein the module can be manipulated by hand, and further comprises:

an electrically nonconductive support member having opposite sides and defining a pair of substantially opposed cavities, and wherein a pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies each having opposite anode and cathode sides are individually sealably received in the respective cavities, and wherein each cathode side is oriented in spaced relation relative to the nonconductive support member and defines a cathode air passageway therebetween;

an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the anode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly; and

wherein the bifurcated air flow delivered to the module comprises a cathode stream which is delivered to the cathode air passageway, and an anode heat sink stream which passes over the anode heat sink, and wherein the bifurcated air flow regulates the operational temperature of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell by the removal of heat energy generated during operation.

12. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 10, wherein the module can be manipulated by hand, and further comprises:

an electrically nonconductive support member having opposite sides and defining a pair of substantially opposed cavities, and wherein a pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies each having opposite anode and cathode sides are individually sealably fitted in the respective cavities, and wherein each cathode side is oriented in spaced relation relative to the nonconductive support member and defines a cathode air passageway therebetween;

an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the anode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly; and

wherein the bifurcated air flow delivered to the module comprises a cathode stream which is delivered to the cathode air passageway, and an anode heat sink stream which passes over the anode heat sink, and wherein the cathode air stream is further bifurcated and delivered to each cathode air passageway, and wherein the bifurcated air flow comprising the cathode stream and the anode heat sink stream regulates the operational temperature of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell by the removal of heat energy generated during operation.

13. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell comprising:

a module enclosing a pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies which are disposed in spaced relation one to the other, and wherein each membrane electrode diffusion assembly has opposite anode and cathode sides, and further has an active area defined by a surface area, and which produces an average current density of at least about 350 mA per square centimeter of surface area when supplied with a fuel at a nominal voltage of at least about 0.5 volts, and wherein the cathode sides of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly are proximally related, and wherein the anode sides of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly are distally related, and wherein each cathode side defines in part a bifurcated cathode air passageway.

14. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the module further comprises a cathode current collector which is juxtaposed relative to the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly and which defines, in part, the cathode air passageway, and wherein the fuel cell module further has a bifurcated air flow, a portion of which is delivered to the cathode air passageway, and wherein the bifurcated air flow regulates the operational temperature of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

15. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell power system, comprising:

a plurality of discrete ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules which produce heat energy, and wherein each of the discrete ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules have an anode heat sink which removes a preponderance of the heat energy generated by the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules.

16. A power system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each discrete ion exchange membrane fuel cell module has at least two membrane electrode diffusion assemblies which have opposite anode and cathode sides, and wherein each ion exchange membrane fuel cell module can be manipulated by hand.

17. A power system as claimed in claim 16, wherein each discrete ion exchange membrane fuel cell module has a pair of current collectors which are individually disposed in electrical contact with the opposite anode and cathode sides of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies.

18. A power system as claimed in claim 17, wherein each anode heat sink is disposed in heat receiving relation relative to the anode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly and further applies force to each pair of current collectors and the individual membrane electrode diffusion assemblies.

19. A power system as claimed in claim 18, wherein each membrane electrode diffusion assembly has an active area having a surface area, and wherein each ion exchange membrane fuel cell module produces a current density of at least about 350 mA per square centimeter of active area at a nominal voltage of at least about 0.5 volts when supplied with a fuel.

20. A power system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the discrete ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules have a cathode air flow, and wherein less than a preponderance of the heat energy produced by the discrete ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules is removed by the cathode air flow.

21. A power system as claimed in claim 20, wherein each of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules comprise:

an electrically nonconductive support member having opposite sides and defining individual cavities, and wherein the respective membrane electrode diffusion assemblies are individually sealably mounted in the respective cavities, and disposed in spaced relation relative to the nonconductive support member, and wherein the nonconductive support member is oriented between the respective membrane electrode diffusion assemblies; and

wherein the cathode current collector is disposed in ohmic electrical contact with the cathode side of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, and are individually received in each of the cavities defined by the nonconductive support member and disposed between the respective membrane electrode diffusion assemblies and the nonconductive support member; and

a pair of fuel distribution assemblies individually mounted in fluid flowing relation relative to the anode side of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, and wherein the anode current collector is disposed in ohmic electrical contact with each of the anode sides; and

wherein the anode heat sink is mounted in heat receiving relation relative to each of the anode sides to conduct heat energy generated by the ion exchange membrane module away from the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the fuel distribution assembly is oriented substantially between the anode side and the anode current collector.

22. A power system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the cathode current collector comprises a deformable member which orients the membrane electrode diffusion assembly in spaced relation relative to the underlying nonconductive support member and exerts a force on same, and wherein a cathode air passageway is defined between the cathode current collector, membrane electrode diffusion assembly and the underlying nonconductive support member to facilitate the movement of air along the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the cathode current collector further conducts heat energy away from membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

23. A power system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the fuel distribution assemblies are each coupled in fluid flowing relation with the fuel and are operable to supply the fuel to the anode side of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, and wherein each of the fuel distribution assemblies has a main body which defines an intake plenum, an exhaust plenum, and a cavity which is disposed intermediate the intake and exhaust plenums and which is coupled in fluid flowing relation thereto, and wherein the cavity formed in the respective fuel distribution assemblies matingly cooperates with the individual cavities defined by the nonconductive support plate.

24. A power system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the fuel distribution assembly has inside and outside facing surfaces, and wherein the cavity extends through the main body and between the inside and outside facing surfaces, and the anode current collector lies in ohmic electrical contact over a preponderance of the surface area of the anode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly and is further juxtaposed relative to the outside surface of the fuel distribution assembly.

25. A power system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the anode current collector is substantially electrically isolated from the anode heat sink, and wherein the anode heat sink substantially inhibits the formation of a temperature gradient across the membrane electrode diffusion assembly during operation of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell, and further conducts heat energy away from the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

26. A power system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the individual ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules are releasably mounted on a subrack, and wherein the power system further comprises:

an air distribution plenum coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to each of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules, the air distribution plenum having an exhaust end which delivers an air stream to each of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules, and an opposite intake end which receives both air which has previously come into contact with each of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules, and air which comes from outside the respective ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules; and

an air mixing valve coupled to the air distribution plenum and which controls the amount of air which has passed through the respective ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules and is recirculated back to same in the air stream.

27. A power system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the air stream delivered by the air distribution plenum is bifurcated into an anode heat sink stream, and a cathode stream, and wherein the cathode stream is supplied to the cathode air passageway, and wherein the anode heat sink stream passes over the anode heat sink and is operable to remove the preponderance of the heat energy generated by the ion exchange membrane fuel cell membrane, and wherein the air mixing valve is intermediate the intake end and exhaust end of the air distribution plenum.

28. A power system as claimed in claim 27, and which further comprises a DC bus, and wherein the anode and cathode current collectors are releasably electrically coupled with the DC bus when the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules are oriented on the subrack.

29. A power system as claimed in claim 28, and further comprising:

a controller electrically coupled with each of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules.

30. A power system as claimed in claim 28, and further comprising:

a power conditioning assembly for receiving the electrical power produced by each of the discrete ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules.

31. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell power system comprising:

an ion exchange membrane fuel cell module which produces heat energy, and which has a bifurcated air flow which regulates the operational temperature of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module by removing the heat energy therefrom.

32. A power system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module has a membrane electrode diffusion assembly with opposite anode and cathode sides, and a pair of current collectors are individually disposed in ohmic electrical contact with the respective anode and cathode sides, and wherein the membrane electrode diffusion assembly has an active area having a surface area, and wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module produces a current density of at least about 350 mA per square centimeter of active area at a nominal voltage of at least about 0.5 volts.

33. A power system as claimed in claim 31, and further comprising:

a housing defining a cavity;

a subrack mounted in the cavity and which is defined by the housing, and wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module is releasably supported on the subrack;

a DC bus mounted in the housing and adjacent the subrack and which is electrically coupled with the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module received on the subrack; and

an air distribution plenum borne by the housing and coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module.

34. A power system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module has a membrane electrode diffusion assembly having opposite anode and cathode sides, and wherein the ion exchange fuel cell module further comprises an anode heat sink, and wherein the air distribution plenum has an intake end and an opposite, exhaust end which provides the bifurcated air flow, which comprises an anode heat sink stream, and a cathode stream, and wherein the cathode stream is supplied to the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and the anode heat sink stream passes over the anode heat sink and is operable to remove the preponderance of the heat energy generated by the ion exchange membrane fuel cell membrane.

35. A power system as claimed in claim 34, wherein an air mixing valve is operably coupled to the air distribution plenum and is mounted downstream of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, and wherein the intake end of the air distribution plenum receives a first air source which has previously come into contact with the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, and a second air source which comes from outside the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, and wherein the air mixing valve controls the relative amount of each of the respective air sources delivered to the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module.

36. A power system as claimed in claim 35, and further comprising:

a controller electrically coupled with the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, and the air mixing valve.

37. A power system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module has at least two membrane electrode diffusion assemblies which have opposite anode and cathode sides, and wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module can be manipulated by hand, and wherein anode sides each have channels formed therein.

38. A power system as claimed in claim 37, wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module has an anode and cathode current collector which are individually disposed in electrical contact with the opposite anode and cathode sides of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies.

39. A power system as claimed in claim 38, wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module further comprises:

an anode heat sink disposed in heat receiving relation relative to the anode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly and which applies a force to each pair of current collectors and the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies disposed therebetween.

40. A power system as claimed in claim 39, wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module further comprises:

a bifurcated air flow comprising a cathode air stream and an anode heat sink air stream, and wherein less than a preponderance of the heat energy produced by the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module is removed by the cathode air stream.

41. A power system as claimed in claim 40, wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module further comprises:

an electrically nonconductive support member having opposite sides and defining individual cavities, and wherein the respective membrane electrode diffusion assemblies are individually sealably mounted in the respective cavities, and disposed in spaced relation relative to the nonconductive support member, and wherein the nonconductive support member is oriented between the respective membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, and wherein the cathode current collector is disposed in ohmic electrical contact with the cathode side of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, and wherein each of the cathode current collectors are individually associated with each of the cavities defined by the nonconductive support member and disposed substantially between the respective membrane electrode diffusion assemblies and the nonconductive support member;

a pair of fuel distribution assemblies individually mounted in fluid flowing relation relative to the anode side of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, and wherein the anode current collector is disposed in ohmic electrical contact with the anode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and is juxtaposed relative to each of the fuel distribution assemblies; and

the anode heat sink is mounted in heat receiving relation relative to each of the anodes to conduct heat energy generated by the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module away from the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

42. A power system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the cathode current collector comprises a deformable member which orients the membrane electrode diffusion assembly in spaced relation relative to the underlying nonconductive support member and exerts a force on same, and wherein a cathode air passageway is created between the deformable member of the cathode current collector, membrane electrode diffusion assembly and the underlying nonconductive support member to facilitate the movement of air along the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the cathode current collector, and the movement of air along the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly dissipates heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

43. A power system as claimed in claim 42, wherein the fuel distribution assemblies are each coupled in fluid flowing relation with a dilute source of fuel and are operable to supply the dilute source of fuel to the anode side of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, and wherein each of the fuel distribution assemblies has a main body which defines an intake plenum, an exhaust plenum, and a cavity which is disposed intermediate the intake and exhaust plenums and which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative thereto, and wherein the cavity formed in the respective fuel distribution assemblies substantially matingly cooperates with the individual cavities defined by the nonconductive support plate and operably receives the individual membrane electrode diffusion assemblies.

44. A power system as claimed in claim 43, wherein the fuel distribution assembly has inside and outside facing surfaces, and wherein the cavity extends through the main body and between the inside and outside facing surfaces, and wherein the outside facing surface of the fuel distribution assembly has a surface area, and the anode current collector lies in juxtaposed substantially covering relation over a preponderance of the surface area of the outside facing surface of the fuel distribution assembly and is disposed in ohmic electrical contact with the anode of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly that is received in the cavity defined by the fuel distribution assembly.

45. A power system as claimed in claim 44, wherein the anode current collector is substantially electrically isolated from the anode heat sink, and wherein the anode heat sink inhibits the formation of a temperature gradient across the active area of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly during operation of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell.

46. A power system as claimed in claim 45, wherein the individual ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules are releasably mounted on a subrack, and wherein the power system further comprises:

an air distribution plenum coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to each of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules, the air distribution plenum having an exhaust end which delivers an air stream to each of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules, and an opposite intake end which receives both air which has previously come into contact with each of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules, and air which comes from outside of the respective ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules; and

an air mixing valve coupled to the air distribution plenum and which meters the amount of air which has passed through the respective ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules and is recirculated back to ion exchange membrane fuel cell module.

47. A power system as claimed in claim 46, and wherein the cathode air stream is supplied to the cathode air passageway, and wherein the anode heat sink stream passes over the anode heat sink and removes a preponderance of the heat energy generated by the ion exchange membrane fuel cell membrane, and wherein the air mixing valve is located downstream of the ion exchange membrane fuel module.

48. A power system as claimed in claim 47, which further comprises a DC bus, and wherein the anode and cathode current collectors are electrically coupled with the DC bus when the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules are mounted on the subrack.

49. A power system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the power system further comprises:

a controller electrically coupled with each of the ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules.

50. A power system as claimed in claim 49, wherein the power system further comprises:

a power conditioning assembly for receiving the electrical power produced by each of the discrete ion exchange membrane fuel cell modules.

51. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, comprising:

a pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies disposed in spaced relation, one to the other, and wherein each membrane electrode diffusion assembly has an anode side, and an opposite cathode side, and wherein the cathode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly is proximally related, and the anode sides are distally related, and wherein each cathode side defines, in part, a bifurcated cathode air passageway.

52. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 51, and further comprising:

a nonconductive support member disposed intermediate the pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, and wherein the nonconductive support member has opposite sides which define discreet cavities, and wherein the opposite sides of the support member define, in part, the bifurcated cathode air passageway, and wherein the cathode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly faces one of the cavities defined by the nonconductive support member.

53. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 52, and further comprising:

a cathode current collector received in each cavity defined by the nonconductive support member and disposed in ohmic electrical contact with the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, the cathode current collector having a plurality of resilient electrically conductive members which engage the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly and orient it in spaced relation relative to the support member, the cathode current collector defining, in part, the bifurcated cathode air passageway and further conducting heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion away from the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

54. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 53, and further comprising:

a fuel distribution assembly disposed in fluid flowing relation relative to the anode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and cooperating with the support member, and wherein the fuel distribution assembly is disposed in juxtaposed relation relative to the anode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

55. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 54, and further comprising:

an anode current collector disposed in ohmic electrical contact with the anode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and which conducts away heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the fuel distribution assembly is disposed intermediate the anode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly and the anode current collector.

56. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, as claimed in claim 55, and further comprising:

an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the membrane electrode diffusion assembly and which is substantially electrically isolated from the anode current collector, and oriented in heat receiving relation relative thereto, and wherein the membrane electrode diffusion assembly generates heat energy and the anode heat sink removes a preponderance of the heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

57. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, as claimed in claim 56, wherein the bifurcated cathode air passageway receives a cathode air stream, and wherein less than a preponderance of the heat energy produced by the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module is removed by way of the cathode air stream.

58. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, as claimed in claim 57, and further comprising:

an air distribution plenum coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, the air distribution plenum having an intake end and an opposite exhaust end, and wherein the air distribution plenum delivers a bifurcated air stream which comprises the cathode air stream, and an anode heat sink stream, and wherein the intake end receives the cathode air stream which has passed through the bifurcated cathode air passageway, and air which comes from outside the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module; and

an air mixing valve coupled in fluid metering relation to the air distribution plenum to control the amount of outside air and the previous cathode air stream delivered to the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module.

59. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 58, and further comprising:

a subrack for releasably supporting the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module in an operable orientation;

a DC bus mounted operatively adjacent the subrack, and wherein the DC bus is electrically coupled with the anode and cathode current collectors when the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module is operatively oriented on the subrack; and

wherein the intake end of the air distribution plenum is disposed in fluid flowing relation relative to the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module when it is operatively oriented on the subrack.

60. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 59, and further comprising:

a controller electrically coupled with the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module; and

a power conditioning assembly electrically coupled with the DC bus and the controller and which is operable to receive the electrical power produced by the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module.

69. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 58, wherein the cathode current collector has a plurality of resilient electrically conductive members which orient the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly in spaced relation relative to the underlying support member, and further conducts away heat which is generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the membrane electrode diffusion assembly is substantially sealably mounted in the cavity.

70. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 69, wherein the fuel distribution assembly is substantially electrically isolated from the anode heat sink.

84. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 55, wherein the fuel cell can be manipulated by hand, and wherein the fuel includes hydrogen, and wherein the concentration of the hydrogen in the fuel is about 30% to about 80%.

61. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, comprising:

a pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies each having opposite anode and cathode sides;

anode and cathode current collectors electrically coupled with the opposite anode and cathode sides of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly;

a support member disposed between the pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, and wherein the cathode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly faces the support member;

a cathode air passageway defined between the support member and the cathode side of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies;

a fuel distribution assembly coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the anode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly; and

an anode heat sink oriented in heat receiving relation relative to each anode.

62. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 61, wherein the support member has a main body with opposite first and second ends, and opposite sides which define individual cavities, and wherein the cathode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly is mounted in the cavity and oriented in spaced relation relative to the support member, and wherein the cathode current collector is received in each cavity and disposed between the support member and the cathode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the cathode current collector positions the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly in spaced relation relative to the support member, and wherein the cathode side of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly, the cathode current collector, and the support member define the cathode air passageway which extends between the first and second end of the support member.

63. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 62, wherein the fuel distribution assembly is oriented between the membrane electrode diffusion assembly and the anode current collector, and wherein the anode current collector is disposed in ohmic electrical contact with the anode of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the anode current collector is substantially electrically isolated from the anode heat sink, and wherein the anode side has a plurality of interconnecting channels which are formed therein.

64. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, as claimed in claim 63, and further comprising:

an air distribution plenum coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, the air distribution plenum having an intake end and an opposite exhaust end, and wherein the air distribution plenum delivers an air stream which is bifurcated the fuel cell module, and wherein the bifurcated air stream comprises a cathode air stream which is delivered to the cathode air passageway, and an anode heat sink air stream which passes over the anode heat sink to conduct heat away from the anode heat sink, and wherein the intake end receives the cathode air stream which has passed through the cathode air passageway, and the air which comes from outside the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module; and

an air mixing valve coupled in fluid metering relation relative to the air distribution plenum to control the percentage of outside air and the previous cathode air stream delivered to the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module.

65. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 64, and further comprising:

a subrack for releasably supporting the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module in an operable orientation;

a DC bus mounted operatively adjacent the subrack, and which is electrically coupled with the anode and cathode current collectors when the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module is operatively oriented on the subrack; and

wherein the intake end of the air distribution plenum is disposed in fluid flowing relation relative to the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module when it is operatively oriented on the subrack.

66. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 65, and further comprising:

a controller electrically coupled with the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module; and

a power conditioning assembly electrically coupled with the DC bus and the controller and which is operable to receive the electrical power produced by the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module.

67. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, comprising:

a support member having opposite sides and which defines opposing cavities;

a cathode current collector received in each of the cavities defined by the support member;

a membrane electrode diffusion assembly matingly received in each of the cavities, and having opposite anode and cathode sides, and wherein the cathode side of the individual membrane electrode diffusion assembly cooperates with each cavity, and the cathode current collector lies in ohmic electrical contact with the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly;

a fuel distribution assembly cooperating with the support member and disposed in fluid flowing relation relative to the anode side of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies;

an anode current collector disposed in ohmic electrical contact with the anode side of each of the membrane electrode diffusion assemblies, and wherein the fuel distribution assembly is disposed between the membrane electrode diffusion assembly and the anode current collector; and

an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module has a bifurcated air flow comprising a cathode air stream which passes into contact with the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and an anode air stream which passes into heat receiving relation relative to the anode heat sink, and wherein heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly is dissipated from the anode heat sink to the anode air stream.

68. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module as claimed in claim 67, wherein the support member is fabricated from a dielectric material, and wherein the individual cavities are formed in the opposite sides of the support member, and wherein the cathode current collector, the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly and the nonconductive support member define a cathode air passageway which facilitates the delivery of the cathode air stream to the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

71. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, comprising:

a dielectric support member defining opposed cavities;

a cathode current collector received in each cavity;

a membrane electrode diffusion assembly having opposite anode and cathode sides and which is received in each cavity, and wherein the cathode side is positioned in spaced relation relative to the support member by the cathode current collector to define a cathode air passageway therebetween;

a fuel distribution assembly disposed in fuel dispensing relation relative to the anode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly;

an anode current collector electrically coupled with the anode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly; and

an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the membrane electrode diffusion assembly and electrically isolated from the anode current collector.

72. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, as claimed in claim 71, wherein the support member has a main body having opposite first and second ends, and wherein the cathode air passageway defined in each cavity extends between the opposite ends, and wherein the respective cathode air passageways are substantially parallel one to the other.

73. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, as claimed in claim 72, wherein each current collector has a plurality of resilient electrically conductive members which orient the membrane electrode diffusion assembly in spaced relation to the support member, and wherein the cathode current collector further includes a conductive contact member which extends outwardly from the cavity at the first end of support member.

74. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell module, as claimed in claim 73, wherein the fuel distribution assembly is disposed in juxtaposed relation relative to the anode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the anode side has formed therein a plurality of interlocking channel which receive the fuel delivered by the fuel distribution assembly.

75. A proton exchange membrane fuel cell module, as claimed in claim 73, wherein the anode current collector is disposed in ohmic electrical contact with anode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein anode current collector further has a contact member which extends outwardly relative to the first end of the support member and is further disposed in substantially spaced parallel relation relative to the contact member of the cathode current collector.

76. An ion exchange fuel cell comprising:

an ion exchange fuel cell membrane having opposite anode and cathode sides;

a fuel supply provided to the anode side; and

an oxidant supply comprising ambient air provided to the cathode, and wherein the air is supplied in a cathode stream which has a volume of at least about 5 to about 1,000 times the volume required to support a fuel cell chemical reaction which produces water vapor as a byproduct, and wherein the fuel cell chemical reaction produces heat as a byproduct and wherein the cathode air stream removes less than a preponderance of the heat produced by the fuel cell chemical reaction.

77. An ion exchange fuel cell comprising:

an ion exchange fuel cell membrane having opposite anode and cathode sides;

a fuel supply provided to the anode side; and

an oxidant supply supplied to the cathode side in a volume of at least 5 times the volume required to support a fuel cell chemical reaction which produces heat as byproduct, and wherein the ion exchange membrane is enclosed within a fuel cell module, and wherein the fuel cell module further comprises an anode heat sink which removes a preponderance of the heat produced by the fuel cell chemical reaction.

78. An ion exchange fuel cell comprising:

an ion exchange fuel cell membrane having opposite anode and cathode sides, and which is enclosed within a fuel cell module;

a fuel supply provided to the anode side;

an oxidant supply comprising ambient air provided to the cathode side in a cathode air stream which has a volume of at least 5 times the volume required to support a fuel cell chemical reaction which produces heat and water vapor as byproducts; and

an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the anode; and

wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell module is coupled with a subrack, and wherein the subrack further has an air distribution plenum coupled in fluid flowing relation with the ion exchange fuel cell module, and wherein the cathode air stream delivered to the ion exchange fuel cell module by the air distribution plenum is humidified in part, by the water vapor generated by the chemical reaction.

79. An ion exchange fuel cell as claimed in claim 78, wherein the cathode air stream delivered to the ion exchange fuel cell module is recirculated back to the ion exchange fuel cell module, and wherein the air distribution plenum further comprises an air mixing valve which facilitates the addition of fresh ambient air to the recirculated cathode air stream, the selective combination of the recirculated cathode air stream and the fresh ambient air forming a cathode air stream having a substantially stable operating temperature.

80. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell comprising:

a membrane electrode diffusion assembly having opposite anode and cathode sides, and which, during operation, generates electricity and produces heat energy as a byproduct; and

a cathode current collector which rests in ohmic electrical contact with the cathode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and conducts, in part, the heat energy generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly away from the membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the cathode current collector defines, in part, a cathode air passageway, and wherein the ion exchange membrane fuel cell further comprises a bifurcated air flow, and wherein a first portion of the bifurcated air flow is provided to the cathode air passageway and facilitates the removal of less than a preponderance of the heat generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

81. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 80, and further comprising an anode heat sink which is disposed in heat receiving relation relative to the anode side of membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein a second portion of the bifurcated air flow is provided to the anode heat sink and which facilitates the removal of a preponderance of the heat generated by the membrane electrode diffusion assembly.

82. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 81, and further comprising:

an anode current collector resting in ohmic electrical contact with the anode side of the membrane electrode diffusion assembly; and

a fuel distribution assembly disposed in fuel dispensing relation relative to the anode side of membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and which is disposed therebetween the anode current collector and the anode heat sink.

83. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 82, wherein the membrane electrode diffusion assembly has an active area defined by a surface area, and which produces an average current density of at least about 350 mA per square centimeter of surface area when supplied with a fuel by the fuel distribution assembly at a nominal voltage of at least about 0.5 volts.

85. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell comprising;

an ion exchange membrane having opposite anode and cathode sides;

a fuel supply provided to the anode side;

an oxidant supply provided to the cathode side, and wherein the oxidant supply is provided in a cathode stream which has a volume of at least 5 times the volume required to support a chemical reaction which produces heat as a byproduct; and

an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the anode, and which removes, in part, the heat energy generated during operation of the fuel cell.

86. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 85, and wherein the oxidant supply is ambient air, and wherein the oxidant supply removes less than a preponderance of the heat produced by the fuel cell reaction.

87. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 85, and wherein the anode heat sink removes a preponderance of the heat produced by the fuel call reaction.

88. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell comprising:

a membrane electrode diffusion assembly having opposite anode and cathode sides and which produces heat during operation; and

an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the anode to regulate the temperature of the fuel cell during operation.

89. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 88, and wherein the anode heat sink removes a preponderance of the heat produced.

90. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 88, and wherein the fuel cell has an oxidant supply provided to the cathode and which further removes less than a preponderance of the heat produced.

91. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell comprising:

a membrane electrode diffusion assembly having opposite anode and cathode sides and which produces heat during operation; and

a bifurcated airflow provided to the ion exchange membrane fuel cell and which regulates the operational temperature of the ion exchange membrane fuel by removing the heat therefrom.

92. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 91, and further comprising:

an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to the anode, and wherein a portion of bifurcated airflow passes over the anode heat sink and removes heat therefrom.

93. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell comprising:

a pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies each having opposite anode and cathode sides, and wherein the pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies each produce heat energy during operation, and wherein the pair of membrane electrode diffusion assemblies are oriented such that the cathode sides are proximally related, and the anode sides are distally related, and wherein ion exchange membrane fuel cell has an oxidant supply delivered to the cathode sides of each membrane electrode diffusion assembly, and wherein the oxidant supply further operates to regulate, in part, the operational temperature of the fuel cell by dissipating a portion of the heat generated during fuel cell operation.

94. An ion exchange membrane fuel cell as claimed in claim 93, and further comrpising:

an anode heat sink disposed in heat removing relation relative to each of the anode sides.