Abstract: A fuel cell system management method, wherein a reformer is provided for supplying hydrogen-containing reformed gas to the fuel cell unit and a compressor is provided for supplying air to the fuel cell unit. The fuel cell unit includes cells arranged in modules. Voltages are measured across terminals of each cell of each module of the cell unit, and the voltage difference between the mean cell voltage for the cell unit and a predetermined mean cell voltage is calculated. The voltage difference is compared with a predetermined threshold voltage different, and the presence or absence of carbon monoxide poisoning in the fuel cell unit is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell start-up method, said fuel cell comprising numerous cells which are supplied by a reformer (10). According to the invention, when the reformer is cold, reformates are supplied to a first sub-assembly (12) of cells of the fuel cell and, when the reformer is hot, reformates are supplied to the first and second sub-assemblies of cells of the fuel cell. The cells belonging to the first sub-assembly are optimized in order to operate with a cold reformer and the cells belonging to the second sub-assembly (13) are optimized to operate with a hot reformer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a line system for supplying and/or discharging fluids for an assembly of at least two identical fuel cell modules (A, B, C, D), in particular mounted on a motor vehicle, each of which comprises an elementary cell (21) stack and input and output pipes (1, 2, 3, 4, 5,) for different fluids required for operation of the fuel cell, wherein said pipes are arranged on at least one external surface of each module and the supply and/or discharge lines for at least one fluid are connected to the corresponding pipes of the module assembly by means of a single main line (C1) or several successive secondary branches (C2, C3) of the symmetric structure of each module, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel cell start-up method, said fuel cell comprising numerous cells which are supplied by a reformer (10). According to the invention, when the reformer is cold, reformates are supplied to a first sub-assembly (12) of cells of the fuel cell and, when the reformer is hot, reformates are supplied to the first and second sub-assemblies of cells of the fuel cell. The cells belonging to the first sub-assembly are optimised in order to operate with a cold reformer and the cells belonging to the second sub-assembly (13) are optimised to operate with a hot reformer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bipolar plate for a fuel cell comprising on at least one of its faces at least one flute able to form with the surface of an adjacent electrode at least one gas distribution channel, wherein said distribution channel has a shape or geometry such that the liquid of the biphasic flow flowing in said channel may be moved away from said electrode surface. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such a bipolar plate and to a fuel cell comprising at least one of such bipolar plates.