System for rebalancing a pressure differential in an anode exhaust system of a fuel cell with a relational water seal

A fuel cell system comprising:

• at least one fuel cell module including:
• a fuel cell assembly having one or more fuel cells arranged in a stack configuration;
• an anode inlet manifold;
• an anode outlet manifold having a first pressure;
• a cathode inlet manifold having a second pressure;
• and
• a cathode outlet manifold;
• and
• at least one relational water seal configured to limit a magnitude of a pressure differential in the fuel cell system in an anode under-pressurization situation in which the second pressure exceeds the first pressure by at least a first predetermined amount;
• wherein the at least one relational water seal comprises a bidirectional water seal configured to limit the magnitude of the pressure differential in the fuel cell system in the anode under-pressurization situation in which the second pressure exceeds the first pressure by at least the first predetermined amount, and to limit a magnitude of a pressure differential in the fuel cell system in an anode over-pressurization situation in which the first pressure exceeds the second pressure by at least a second predetermined amount;
• and
• wherein the bidirectional water seal comprises:
• a tank configured to hold a predetermined level of water;
• a first pipe connected to the tank, neither end of the first pipe being submerged in the water;
• a second pipe connected to the tank, neither end of the second pipe being submerged in the water;
• and
• a baffle wall extending from a top of the tank into the water, the baffle wall dividing an interior of the tank into a first portion and a second portion;
• and
• wherein a gap exists between the baffle wall and a bottom of the tank, the gap configured to allow water and anode gas to travel therethrough.

A fuel cell system comprising:

• at least one fuel cell module including:
• a fuel cell assembly having one or more fuel cells arranged in a stack configuration;
• an anode inlet manifold;
• an anode outlet manifold having a first pressure;
• a cathode inlet manifold having a second pressure;
• and
• a cathode outlet manifold;
• at least one relational water seal configured to limit a magnitude of a pressure differential in the fuel cell system in an anode under-pressurization situation in which the second pressure exceeds the first pressure by at least a first predetermined amount;
• an anode exhaust gas blower;
• an anode exhaust line through which anode exhaust gas output from the anode outlet manifold is transported to the anode exhaust gas blower;
• and
• an anode return line through which anode return gas output from the anode exhaust gas blower is transported to the cathode inlet manifold;
• wherein the at least one relational water seal comprises:
• a tank configured to hold a level of water;
• a first pipe connected to the tank and having an end thereof submerged in the water;
• and
• a second pipe connected to the tank and having neither end thereof submerged in the water;
• and
• wherein the first pipe is in fluid communication with one of the anode exhaust line or the anode return line, and the second pipe is in fluid communication with the other of the anode exhaust line or the anode return line.