Method and apparatus for electrochemical compression and expansion of hydrogen in a fuel cell system

A fuel cell system, comprising:

• a first fuel cell having a hydrogen flow circuit and an oxidant flow circuit;
• wherein the hydrogen flow circuit comprises a hydrogen supply conduit coupled to an anode chamber of the first fuel cell, wherein the anode chamber is further coupled to a hydrogen exhaust conduit, wherein the anode chamber comprises an anode;
• wherein the oxidant flow circuit comprises an cathode supply conduit coupled to a cathode chamber of the first fuel cell, wherein the cathode chamber is further coupled to a cathode exhaust conduit, wherein the cathode chamber comprises a cathode;
• a first electrical circuit selectively providing a electrical connection from a power supply to the first fuel cell, such that an electrical potential is formed between the anode and cathode when the first circuit is activated;
• a second electrical circuit selectively providing an electrical connection from an electrical load to the first fuel cell, such that electrical current is drawn from the first fuel cell to the electrical load when the second circuit is activated;
• a hydrogen storage vessel coupled through a first valve to the cathode exhaust conduit;
• and
• a third electrical circuit coupled to the first valve, the third circuit being adapted to open the first valve when either of the first or second circuits are activated, the third circuit being adapted to close the first valve when neither of the first or second circuits are activated.

A fuel cell system, comprising:

• a fuel cell coupled to a hydrogen conduit;
• an electrochemical hydrogen separator coupled to the hydrogen conduit, the separator being further coupled to a hydrogen storage vessel, the separator being adapted to selectively transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen conduit to the hydrogen storage vessel;
• and
• an electrochemical hydrogen expander coupled to the hydrogen conduit, the expander being further coupled to the hydrogen storage vessel, the expander being adapted to selectively transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen storage vessel to the hydrogen conduit.

A fuel cell system, comprising:

• a fuel cell coupled to a hydrogen supply conduit and a hydrogen exhaust conduit;
• an electrochemical hydrogen separator coupled to the hydrogen exhaust conduit, the separator being further coupled to a hydrogen storage vessel, the separator being adapted to selectively transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen exhaust conduit to the hydrogen storage vessel;
• and
• an electrochemical hydrogen expander coupled to the hydrogen supply conduit, the expander being further coupled to the hydrogen storage vessel, the expander being adapted to selectively transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen storage vessel to the hydrogen supply conduit.

A fuel cell system, comprising:

• a fuel cell, a fuel processor, a hydrogen flow circuit, a hydrogen storage vessel, and an electrochemical hydrogen expander;
• wherein the fuel processor is coupled to the hydrogen flow circuit and adapted to provide reformate to the hydrogen flow circuit;
• wherein the fuel cell and the electrochemical hydrogen expander are each coupled to the hydrogen flow circuit, wherein the electrochemical hydrogen expander is further coupled to the hydrogen storage vessel;
• an electrical circuit coupled to the electrochemical hydrogen expander, the circuit being adapted to selectively draw an electrical current from the electrochemical hydrogen expander;
• wherein the electrochemical hydrogen expander is adapted to transfer hydrogen from the hydrogen storage vessel to the hydrogen flow circuit in proportion to the current that is drawn by the electrical circuit from the electrochemical hydrogen expander.