Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system involves operating the fuel cell with recirculation of anode exhaust gas below a predefined maximum load limit of the fuel cell and operating the fuel cell without recirculation of the anode exhaust gas between the load limit and the full load of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A device for moistening an anode chamber of a fuel cell and/or a gas flow to the anode chamber of the fuel cell includes a water separator in an exhaust gas flow from the anode chamber and a moistening device for supplying at least a part of the water to the anode chamber and/or to the gas flow flowing to the anode chamber. The water separator and the moistening device are connected via a line element. The water separator is pressurized so that the pressure in the region of the water separator can be increased at least temporarily over the pressure in the region of the moistening device. The pressurization takes place by means of a gas, whereby a valve is arranged in the gas flow flowing to the anode chamber.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell with an anode region and a cathode region, a burner for burning exhaust gases from the fuel cell and also additional fuel that may optionally be supplied, and a storage volume for intermediate storage of exhaust gases that flow away continuously or discontinuously via a valve from the anode region of the fuel cell, the storage volume being arranged between the anode region and the burner. The hot exhaust gases of the burner are expanded in an expansion device. A method of the operation of a fuel cell system involves controlling an additional valve after the storage volume.