TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred System: The portable fuel cell system further includes a control system that includes instructions that control the pump so as to remove water from the water permeable membrane and wick for a predetermined period of time at shut down of the fuel cell. The portable fuel cell system further comprises a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat generated in the fuel cell or generated in the fuel processor to the incoming fuel that includes the reformer fuel or the burner fuel. Preferred Method: The method further involves pumping water out of the membrane humidifier with a pump for a predetermined period of time during shut down of the fuel cell; evaporating the removed water from the wick on shutdown of the portable fuel cell system with the exhaust from the fuel processor or fuel cell; and moving heat from the exhaust with a thermoelectric cooler. The method further involves operating the portable fuel cell system in any orientation relative to the ground. The method further involves transferring heat from an exhaust of the fuel cell or an exhaust of the fuel processor to a heat exchanger. Preferred Components: The water removal system further comprises a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the condensing apparatus, the thermoelectric cooler configured to remove heat from the water removal system. The thermoelectric cooler further comprises a fan. The water permeable membrane removes greater than 40% of the required amount of water for the fuel cell system. The water permeable membrane is configured to receive the burner exhaust stream or the reformer exhaust stream. The water permeable membrane is configured to receive a fuel cell exhaust stream. The fuel cell further comprises a cathode and an anode, and where the water permeable membrane is configured to receive a cathode exhaust stream. The water removal system further comprises a pump that is configured to apply a negative pressure to the water permeable membrane and the wick. The burner exhaust dries the wick at shut down of the fuel cell. The water removal system is configured to receive burner exhaust on startup of the fuel processor. The portable package is configured to operate at any orientation relative to the ground. The heat exchanger further comprises a heat pipe, internal to the portable fuel cell package, configured to remove heat from the burner exhaust stream or the fuel cell exhaust stream.