An exemplary embodiment of the regenerative electrochemical cell system comprises:
a fuel cell module comprising a fuel cell oxygen inlet in fluid communication a
water storage device, and a fuel cell hydrogen inlet in fluid communication with
both an oxygen source and with a gaseous portion of an water phase separation device;
an electrolysis module comprising an electrolysis water inlet in fluid communication
with the water storage device via a fuel cell oxygen outlet, and an electrolysis
water outlet in fluid communication with the fuel cell hydrogen.
One of the embodiments for operating a regenerative electrochemical cell system
disclosed herein, comprises: introducing feed hydrogen from a hydrogen storage
system to a fuel cell hydrogen electrode and introducing feed oxygen from an oxygen/water
phase separation device to a fuel cell oxygen electrode; reacting hydrogen ions
with the oxygen to generate electricity and water; once the fuel cell has attained
operating conditions, ceasing the feed oxygen from the oxygen/water phase separation
device, and introducing second oxygen from a surrounding atmosphere module to the
fuel cell oxygen electrode; directing the water to a water storage device; introducing
water to an electrolysis water electrode and power to an electrolysis module, to
produce refuel hydrogen and oxygen; and directing the refuel hydrogen to the hydrogen
storage device.
