| abstract |
The invention is a freeze tolerant fuel cell power plant that includes at least one fuel cell and a water transport plate secured within the fuel cell having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet that direct a water coolant through the plate. A suction water displacement system includes a freeze tolerant accumulator secured to the coolant inlet and a vacuum separator secured to the coolant outlet having a suction generating eductor secured to the separator. Control valves and a coolant pump selectively direct either the water coolant, heated, or un-heated water immiscible fluid to cycle from the accumulator, through the coolant inlet, water transport plate, coolant outlet, vacuum separator and back to the accumulator in order to permit operation and storage of the plant in sub-freezing ambient temperatures. |