Abstract: An inspection method for inspecting a fuel cell, comprising: rising current density at a speed of a designated speed or greater, and judging whether the fuel cell is normal or abnormal by comparing a first voltage value that is the voltage value when the current density reaches a designated current density or greater with the rising step, and a second voltage value which is a judgment standard.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell which enables organic matter of both an anode thereof and a cathode thereof to be removed efficiently is provided. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising a preparation step of preparing a fuel cell comprising a stack of a plurality of unit cells, each including polymer electrolyte and a catalyst layer, and a removal step of removing organic matter from the fuel cell, is provided. This removal step comprises: a first step of maintaining a voltage of the fuel cell at 0 V so as to desorb organic matter from the catalyst layer; a second step of raising a temperature inside the fuel cell so as to evaporate the desorbed organic matter; and a third step of exhausting the evaporated organic matter from the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system, including: a fuel cell having at least one combination of an electrolyte membrane and a cathode-side catalyst layer and an anode-side catalyst layer that have a plurality of pores; a control unit that operates the fuel cell such that an output current determined in accordance with an external load is output from the fuel cell; and an output current acquisition unit that acquires an output current of the fuel cell; wherein, when the control unit determines that an anode in-flowing water amount, which flows to the anode-side catalyst layer when the fuel cell continues power generation at a first output current acquired at a prescribed timing, exceeds a prescribed anode-side allowable water amount, the control unit performs current limitation control to operate the fuel cell at a second output current that is higher than the first output current, regardless of a requirement of the external load.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell which enables organic matter of both an anode thereof and a cathode thereof to be removed efficiently is provided. A method of manufacturing a fuel cell, comprising a preparation step of preparing a fuel cell comprising a stack of a plurality of unit cells, each including polymer electrolyte and a catalyst layer, and a removal step of removing organic matter from the fuel cell, is provided. This removal step comprises: a first step of maintaining a voltage of the fuel cell at 0 V so as to desorb organic matter from the catalyst layer; a second step of raising a temperature inside the fuel cell so as to evaporate the desorbed organic matter; and a third step of exhausting the evaporated organic matter from the fuel cell.

Abstract: An inspection method for inspecting a fuel cell, comprising: rising current density at a speed of a designated speed or greater, and judging whether the fuel cell is normal or abnormal by comparing a first voltage value that is the voltage value when the current density reaches a designated current density or greater with the rising step, and a second voltage value which is a judgment standard.

Abstract: A fuel cell system, including: a fuel cell having at least one combination of an electrolyte membrane and a cathode-side catalyst layer and an anode-side catalyst layer that have a plurality of pores; a control unit that operates the fuel cell such that an output current determined in accordance with an external load is output from the fuel cell; and an output current acquisition unit that acquires an output current of the fuel cell; wherein, when the control unit determines that an anode in-flowing water amount, which flows to the anode-side catalyst layer when the fuel cell continues power generation at a first output current acquired at a prescribed timing, exceeds a prescribed anode-side allowable water amount, the control unit performs current limitation control to operate the fuel cell at a second output current that is higher than the first output current, regardless of a requirement of the external load.

Abstract: A fuel cell system 10 removes water retaining in a cathode catalyst layer 217 in a fuel cell 20, after a start-up of the fuel cell 20 and before feed of coolant to the fuel cell 20.

Abstract: In a hydrogen concentration measurement device that employs a proton conducting electrolyte membrane, more stable measurement of hydrogen concentration that is less susceptible to temperature and humidity state of measurement target gas becomes possible.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell activation portion that starts electricity generation of a fuel cell; a cooling medium passage that is provided with a pump and that is provided for passing a cooling medium through a cell-side passage for the cooling medium; and a pump control portion that stops the pump for a first predetermined period after a start of the electricity generation caused by the fuel cell activation portion at a time when a temperature of the fuel cell is a low temperature lower than or equal to a predetermined value, and that starts operating the pump after the first predetermined period elapses. The pump control portion includes a cooling medium reverse portion that alternately reverses a direction of flow of the cooling medium in the cell-side passage according to elapsed time by controlling operation of the pump after the first predetermined period elapses.

Abstract: The separator of which the region facing the MEA is a flat includes the first electrode facing plate and the second electrode facing plate. The separator includes the reaction gas supply manifold to which the reaction gas is supplied. The first electrode facing plate includes a plurality of reaction gas supply holes formed at the end of the cell-reaction region. The intermediate plate includes a plurality of reaction gas supply path slits that forms the reaction gas supply paths, wherein each of the reaction gas supply paths has one end connected to the reaction gas supply manifold and other end connected to at least one of the plurality of reaction gas supply holes.

Abstract: A hydrogen circulation type fuel cell system equipped with an electrochemical cell executes discharging an anode off-gas with impurities being condensed toward the outside of the system at a proper timing.

Abstract: A fuel cell system 10 removes water retaining in a cathode catalyst layer 217 in a fuel cell 20, after a start-up of the fuel cell 20 and before feed of coolant to the fuel cell 20.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell activation portion that starts electricity generation of a fuel cell; a cooling medium passage that is provided with a pump and that is provided for passing a cooling medium through a cell-side passage for the cooling medium; and a pump control portion that stops the pump for a first predetermined period after a start of the electricity generation caused by the fuel cell activation portion at a time when a temperature of the fuel cell is a low temperature lower than or equal to a predetermined value, and that starts operating the pump after the first predetermined period elapses. The pump control portion includes a cooling medium reverse portion that alternately reverses a direction of flow of the cooling medium in the cell-side passage according to elapsed time by controlling operation of the pump after the first predetermined period elapses.

Abstract: A hydrogen circulation type fuel cell system equipped with an electrochemical cell executes discharging an anode off-gas with impurities being condensed toward the outside of the system at a proper timing.

Abstract: In a hydrogen concentration measurement device that employs a proton conducting electrolyte membrane, more stable measurement of hydrogen concentration that is less susceptible to temperature and humidity state of measurement target gas becomes possible.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system using the dead end method and capable of exhausting impurities accumulated at the anode side while suppressing the oxidization of carbon. In the fuel cell system (1), a fuel cell (2) is operated in the state that the fuel off gas flow path (8) is closed. When q purge valve (9) is opened, impurities accumulated in the flow path (8) are exhausted. If the cell voltage measured by voltage measuring means (11) exceeds a predetermined value, purge limit means (13) is operated so that no purge is performed. Here, if it is assumed that X is the cathode potential at which carbon is oxidized and Y is the maximum value of the anode potential, the predetermined value can be defined as (X?Y).

Abstract: To provide a simple and compact fuel cell system that prevents degradation of the performance of a fuel cell stack due to accumulation of impurities and improves fuel efficiency by reducing discharge of a fuel gas. An impurity storage section 30 that communicates with an outlet of an anode gas passage of each cell 20 and stores an impurity in a fuel gas is formed in a fuel cell stack 2. The volume of the impurity storage section 30 is preferably larger than the volume of a fuel gas inlet manifold 26.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a porous element, a first electrode, and a separator. The porous element is an element as a channel through which a reaction gas passes into the interior, the porous element having a first surface and a second surface. The first electrode is disposed on the first surface side of the porous element. The separator in contact with the second surface of the porous element is includes a first plate and a second plate, the first plate having a contact part in contact with the second surface, the second plate facing the first plate. A cooling medium channel is formed between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate has first dimples that are indented on a side of the first porous element and protrude on a side of the cooling medium channel.

Abstract: The separator of which the region facing the MEA is a flat includes the first electrode facing plate and the second electrode facing plate. The separator includes the reaction gas supply manifold to which the reaction gas is supplied. The first electrode facing plate includes a plurality of reaction gas supply holes formed at the end of the cell-reaction region. The intermediate plate includes a plurality of reaction gas supply path slits that forms the reaction gas supply paths, wherein each of the reaction gas supply paths has one end connected to the reaction gas supply manifold and other end connected to at least one of the plurality of reaction gas supply holes.

Abstract: A fuel cell has a plurality of unit fuel cells and a gas manifold configured to path through the plurality of the unit fuel cells. Each of the plurality of unit fuel cells has an electrode and a separator. The separator includes in its interior a plurality of gas channels configured to communicate the gas manifold and a gas passage existing on a surface of the electrode. These gas channels include at least one gas through hole configured to open on a surface of the separator facing the electrode. The gas through holes provided on the plurality of gas channels include a first through hole group provided at a short distance from the gas manifold, and a second through hole group provided at a large distance from the gas manifold.