Method of species exchange and an apparatus therefore

A species transfer device designed for communication with a first and second stream of a fuel cell, the device comprising:

• (a) a housing enclosure having a first stream inlet and outlet, and a second stream inlet and outlet, and further having an inner surface;
• (b) an exchange matrix element, said exchange matrix element having an average linear coefficient of thermal expansion at 25 to 800° C. of less than about 20×10−7/° C. and being in the form of a cylinder having a first and second end, and a central core therethrough;
• and
• said housing enclosure providing a path for said first stream of a fuel cell entering said first stream inlet, traveling through said exchange matrix element, and exiting said first stream outlet, and providing a path for said second stream of a fuel cell entering the second stream inlet, traveling through said exchange matrix element, and exiting the second stream outlet;
• said first stream having a higher potential of a species than said second stream, said species transfer device capable of transferring a portion of the species from the first stream to said second stream.

A species transfer device designed for communication with a first and second stream of a fuel cell, the device comprising:

• (a) a housing assembly having a first stream inlet and outlet, and a second stream inlet and outlet;
• and
• (b) an exchange matrix housed within said housing assembly, said exchange matrix comprised of a magnesium aluminum silicate having an average linear coefficient of thermal expansion at 25 to 800° C. of less than about 16×10−7/° C.;
• said housing assembly providing a path for said first stream of a fuel cell entering said first stream inlet, traveling through said exchange matrix, and exiting said first stream outlet, and providing a path for said second stream of a fuel cell entering said second stream inlet, traveling through said exchange matrix, and exiting said second stream outlet;
• said species transfer device capable of transferring a portion of a species from one of the first stream and the second stream to the other of the first stream and second stream.

A fuel cell stream conditioning system comprising:

• (a) a species transfer device, wherein the species transfer device contains an exchange medium, wherein the exchange medium 1 comprises a ceramic medium having an average linear coefficient of thermal expansion at 25 to 800° C. of less than about 16×10−7/° C.;
• (b) a first stream of a fuel cell directed through the species transfer device;
• and
• (c) a second stream of a fuel cell directed through the species transfer device;
• said species transfer device transferring a portion of a species from one of said first stream and said second stream of a fuel cell to the other of said first stream and second stream of a fuel cell.