In one embodiment, an electrochemical cell system comprises: a fuel cell stack
comprising a fuel cell having a fuel cell hydrogen inlet and a fuel cell hydrogen
outlet, and a first electrochemical hydrogen compressor in fluid communication
with the fuel cell hydrogen outlet, wherein the first electrochemical hydrogen
compressor comprises electrodes in electrical communication with an electricity
source, and a compressed hydrogen outlet in fluid communication with the fuel cell
hydrogen inlet. In one embodiment, the method of operating the electrochemical
cell system comprises: introducing hydrogen feed to a fuel cell at a feed rate
of greater than stoichiometry, directing excess hydrogen from the fuel cell to
a first electrochemical hydrogen compressor, electrochemically compressing the
excess hydrogen to compressed hydrogen, and recirculating the compressed hydrogen
gas to the fuel cell.