Patent ID: 8343687

Claim:
A fuel cell system, comprising: at least one housing having an interior surface defining a volume, and an air inlet and an air outlet; a frame structure disposed within the housing; at least one electrolyte solution disposed within the housing; a humidity level control subsystem, comprising at least one humidity buffer solution, and disposed within the housing and in vapor communication with the at least one electrolyte solution, wherein the humidity level control subsystem is operable to maintain a humidity level at or near the equilibrium humidity level of the electrolyte solution; at least one electrochemical cell disposed within the frame structure, and including the electrolyte solution, wherein the electrochemical cell is operable to receive at least one reagent gas stream, and to vent at least one exhaust gas stream; a gas scrubbing subsystem disposed within the frame structure, and which is upstream from the electrochemical cell, and is in fluid communication with the reagent gas stream feeding the electrochemical cell; a gas moving device disposed within the frame structure, wherein the gas moving device is in fluid communication with the gas scrubbing subsystem, and is upstream from the gas scrubbing subsystem, and the gas moving device is operable to deliver the reagent gas stream to the gas scrubbing subsystem, and at least one shutter disposed within the frame structure, that is capable of controlling the access of the reagent gas stream into and out of the housing.