CPC H01M 8/1004 (2013.01) [H01M 4/8807 (2013.01)] | 30 Claims |
1. A system comprising:
(a) an ammonia reformer configured to convert ammonia into a first stream comprising nitrogen and hydrogen;
(b) a fuel cell in fluid communication with the ammonia reformer, wherein the fuel cell comprises:
i. an electrochemical circuit comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte between the anode and the cathode; and
ii. a channel in fluid communication with the anode, wherein the channel comprises an inlet configured to receive the first stream comprising nitrogen and hydrogen, wherein the channel further comprises one or more features which are configured to purge nitrogen from the fuel cell while the fuel cell is generating electricity;
wherein the channel comprises an anode gas diffusion layer comprising a carbon-based material; and
(c) a controller comprising at least one processor configured to perform executable instructions, wherein the executable instructions are configured to:
i. use the ammonia reformer to generate the first stream comprising hydrogen and nitrogen, wherein a volume fraction of the hydrogen in the first stream comprises at most about 85%, wherein a volume fraction of the nitrogen in the first stream comprises at least about 15%;
ii. direct a second stream comprising oxygen to the cathode;
iii. direct the first stream through the channel to the anode to react the hydrogen with the oxygen, thereby generating electricity; and
iv. purge nitrogen out of the fuel cell.
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