On-board aircraft electrochemical system

An on-board aircraft electrochemical system, comprising:

• an electrochemical cell comprising a cathode and an anode separated by an electrolyte separator;
• a cathode fluid flow path in fluid communication with the cathode that discharges nitrogen-enriched air;
• a nitrogen-enriched air flow path that receives nitrogen-enriched air from the cathode fluid flow path and delivers it to a fuel tank, a fire suppression system, or both a fuel tank and a fire suppression system;
• a first anode fluid flow path that directs water or air to the anode;
• a second anode fluid flow path that directs fuel to the anode;
• an electrical connection between an electric power source and the cathode and anode;
• an electrical connection between an electric power sink and the cathode and anode;
• and
• a controller programmed to alternatively operate the electrochemical cell in either:
• a first mode in which water or air is directed to the anode from the first anode fluid flow path, electric power is directed from the power source to the anode and cathode to provide a voltage difference between the anode and the cathode, and nitrogen-enriched air is directed from the cathode to the fuel tank, the fire suppression system, or both the fuel tank and the fire suppression system, or
• a second mode in which fuel is directed to the anode from the second anode fluid flow path, electric power is directed from the anode and cathode to the power sink, and nitrogen-enriched air is directed from the cathode to the fuel tank, the fire suppression system, or both the fuel tank and the fire suppression system.