Meanwhile, Nissan got an issued patent last week for a device to protect a vehicle fuel cell system from the detrimental effects of water clogging. Moisture is important for ion transfer in fuel cell stacks and to keep the systems cool, but excessive moisture can reduce efficiency. Nissan’s patented device estimates and predicts water-clogging by taking into account coolant temperature, the speed of the vehicle and the ambient temperature. When water clogging conditions are detected, a fuel gas exhaust valve opens to allow condensed water to exit the fuel gas flow passage.

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