Manifold assembly for controlling gas flow and flow distribution in a fuel cell stack

A method of controlling gas flow distribution in a fuel cell stack, said method comprising:

• providing a fuel cell stack including an anode inlet face, an anode outlet face, a cathode inlet face and a cathode outlet face;
• providing at least one manifold assembly including an external manifold abutting said external manifold to sealingly enclose at least one face of the fuel cell stack and at least one baffle within an enclosure of the external manifold, wherein the at least one baffle does not contact the fuel cell stack;
• supplying fuel inlet gas to the anode inlet face of the fuel cell stack and oxidant inlet gas to the cathode inlet face during operation of the fuel cell stack;
• receiving exhaust gas in the enclosure of the external manifold from the fuel cell stack and controlling, using the at least one baffle, the direction of the exhaust gas flow within the enclosure,
• wherein said providing at least one manifold assembly includes providing an anode exhaust manifold assembly including an anode exhaust external manifold, the enclosure of the anode exhaust external manifold including an opening facing the anode outlet face of the fuel cell stack and at least one exhaust outlet formed in the enclosure for outputting anode exhaust gas from the external manifold;
• said receiving comprises receiving anode exhaust gas from the anode outlet face of the fuel cell stack through the opening in the external manifold and said controlling comprises controlling, using the at least one baffle, the direction of the anode exhaust gas flow so that the anode exhaust gas flow received from fuel cells closest to the exhaust outlet is directed around the at least one baffle prior to being output from the exhaust outlet.