JOHNSON THERMO-ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERTER

An electrochemical direct heat to electricity converter having a first electrochemical cell comprising a first plurality of membrane electrode assemblies and a second electrochemical cell comprising a second plurality of membrane electrode assemblies. A controller configured to (i) monitor a pressure of the first electrochemical cell and a pressure of the second electrochemical cell, (ii) determine an extent of loss of pressure differential resulting from molecular diffusion of the working fluid through the proton conductive membranes, and (iii) actuate the first electrochemical cell to pump an additional amount of the working fluid to the high pressure side when the pressure differential drops below a predetermined value.