Abstract: Disclosed is a system with which fuel cell stacks can be tested automatically or manually so that production of pollutants and consumption of electricity are little. The system runs various analyses and tests on the fuel cell stacks and provides operative conditions such as temperatures and fluid flows needed in the tests.

Abstract: A purging system for removing oxygen from a fuel cell system during a shutdown period for the fuel cell system. The purging system includes a separator having an inlet and an outlet; a first exhaust line for communicating a first exhaust gas stream from an outlet of the fuel cell system to the separator inlet during the shutdown period of the fuel cell system; and a second exhaust line for communicating a second exhaust gas stream to an inlet of the fuel cell system for delivering the second exhaust gas stream to the fuel cell system during the shutdown period. The separator removes oxygen from the first exhaust gas stream such that the first stream nitrogen molar volume is lower than the second steam nitrogen molar volume and the first stream oxygen molar volume is higher than the second stream oxygen molar volume.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and an operation method thereof are capable of re-starting the system reliably even after the system has been tilted to or beyond a predetermined limit. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode. A tilt sensor detects a tilt of the fuel cell system not smaller than a predetermined limit, and a memory stores a record that the fuel cell system was tilted to or beyond the predetermined limit. When the fuel cell is started thereafter, the fuel cell is started in a recovery mode if there is a record of a tilt not smaller than the predetermined limit in the memory. The fuel cell is not started, however, if a tilt time since the detection of the tilt of the fuel cell system not smaller than the predetermined limit is not smaller than a first predetermined value.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has a fuel cell generating power using a fuel gas and an oxidizing agent gas serving as materials of the system and a material supply section supplying the materials to the fuel cell. The power generated by the fuel cell is extracted to a load. A device for controlling the fuel cell system has: a material flow calculation section calculating a material flow supplied to the fuel cell so as to cause the fuel cell to generate the power of a required power generation amount; a material reduction limit detection section calculating a limit for reducing the material flow, based on a power generation state of the fuel cell; and a material flow change section controlling the material supply section so as to change the material flow calculated by the material flow calculation section to the limit calculated by the material reduction limit detection section.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator (100) includes: a reformer (1) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas using a raw material and steam; a water evaporator (4) configured to supply the steam to the reformer (1); a sealing device (10) provided on a passage located downstream of the reformer (1) and configured to block a gas in the passage from flowing to the atmosphere; and a depressurizer (3) provided on a passage located upstream of the reformer (1) and configured to release to the atmosphere, pressure in the hydrogen generator (100) which pressure is increased by water evaporation in the water evaporator (4) after the sealing device (10) is closed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bipolar plate for a fuel cell including a bipolar plate substrate; and a byproduct-decomposing layer covering the bipolar plate substrate, the bipolar plate has channels for transport of a reactant gas, the channels being arranged on a surface of the bipolar plate substrate, and the bipolar plate has a first side to face an anode catalyst layer of the fuel cell and a second side to face a cathode catalyst layer of the fuel cell. The byproduct-decomposing layer is arranged on at least one of the first side and the second side, includes a catalyst, and is capable of decomposing a byproduct formed as a result of a reaction of the fuel cell. The bipolar plate enables long-term control of discharge of formic acid and other byproducts without deterioration in system efficiency of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus including a reformer which performs a reforming reaction using a material and steam to generate hydrogen-containing gas; a water evaporator which generates the steam supplied to the reformer; a first water pathway through which reforming water to be supplied to the water evaporator flows; a pump which supplies the reforming water to the water evaporator 1a; a second water pathway 7 branching from the first water pathway on the downstream side of the pump; a first water tank to which the water flowing through the second water pathway flows; a first flow rate controller provided on the second water pathway; and a controller which operates the pump and controls the first flow rate controller so that water flows through the second water pathway, thereby stably generating hydrogen and preventing degradation of the reformer thereof is realized.

Abstract: The method for managing a fuel cell having an active gas flowing in contact with an electrode includes a step of comparing the concentration of a sulfur compound in the active gas with a threshold indicative of a sulfur compound pollution phase and a step of temporary introducing an oxygenated and non-sulfur polluting gas into the active gas if the concentration is higher than the threshold. The polluting gas can be introduced during or after the pollution phase.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided which can accurately detect an insulation resistance even during a high-potential prevention control. The fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell that generates electric power through an electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidant gas; an insulation resistance measurement unit that measures an insulation resistance between the fuel cell and an outer conductor; and a control unit that controls a power generation state of the fuel cell, and the control unit carries out a high-potential prevention control that avoids a voltage of the fuel cell becoming equal to or higher than a predetermined high-potential prevention voltage threshold lower than an open circuit voltage of the fuel cell, and changes the high-potential prevention voltage threshold during an insulation resistance detection performed by the insulation resistance measurement unit.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a compressor for providing cathode air to the cathode side of a fuel cell stack and an air filter for filtering the air sent to the compressor to prevent particulates and other contaminants from entering the compressor and the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell system also includes a mass flow meter that measures the flow of air to the compressor and a pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the airflow at the output of the compressor. An electronic compressor map is provided that defines the operating characteristics of the compressor. By knowing the flow through the compressor and the pressure at the outlet of the compressor, an algorithm can determine where on the compressor map the compressor is operating, and from that determine the inlet pressure to the compressor, which in turn shows whether the air filter is clogged or otherwise damaged.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to in-situ, line-of-sight measurements of partial pressure and temperature associated with at least one flow channel of a fuel cell. Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) is employed for measurements for which water transition states sensitive to temperature and partial pressure are utilized. Measurements are achievable for a fuel cell operating under both steady-state and time-varying load conditions. For steady-state operation, the water partial pressure increases with increasing current density on a cathode side of the fuel cell due to production of water by electrochemical reaction. Temperature in a gas phase remains relatively constant since the fuel cell housing temperature is controlled externally. For non-steady-state operation of the fuel cell through a time-varying current profile, the water partial pressure responds to the load changes rapidly and follows a current profile.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator that is able to maintain an ability to supply a reformed gas containing less CO for a long time period while dealing with degradation of a catalytic activity of a shift reaction by a reliable and simple method, an operation method thereof, and a fuel cell system are provided. In a hydrogen generator (50) comprising a reformer (1), a shift converter (6), a water supply device (3A), a material feed device (2A), and a controller (12), the controller (12) is configured to count the number of times of start-up and/or stop of said hydrogen generator (50) and to increase a temperature or a S/C ratio of the reformed gas flowing in said shift converter (6) according to the counted number of times of start-up and/or stop.

Abstract: To improve a response performance in a fuel cell system in which an on/off valve such as an injector is disposed in a fuel supply passage, by decreasing a pressure adjusting error occurring when the drive cycle of the on/off valve fluctuates. A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell, a fuel supply passage for supplying to the fuel cell a fuel gas supplied from a fuel supply source, an on/off valve for adjusting a gas state on the upstream side of the fuel supply passage to supply the gas to the downstream side thereof, and control means for driving and controlling the on/off valve. The control means calculates a feed-forward correction flow rate based on the drive cycle of the on/off valve, corrects the command value of the gas injection flow rate of the on/off valve by use of the feed-forward correction flow rate, and drives and controls the on/off valve based on the command value.

Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a fuel cell recognizes an external characteristic of a following mobile unit. Corresponding to the recognized characteristic, the vehicle controls the permission, the amount and the prohibition of discharge of the water produced along with electricity generation of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system arrangement is disclosed for controlling an Oxygen-to-Carbon (O/C) relationship by providing water to an anode side fuel recirculation, pumping the provided water to facilitate a water flow, and evaporating water from the facilitated water flow for generating pressurized steam having at least the motive pressure for a steam jet-ejector. The at least one steam jet-ejector can inject at least part of the steam to the fuel cell system, and entrain part of an essentially low pressure anode exhaust gas stream in the anode side gas recirculation and compress the gas mixture to an intermediate pressure of the fuel feed-in stream for controlling the Oxygen-to-Carbon (O/C) relationship in the fuel side of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A stop method for a fuel cell system including a fuel cell unit in which hydrogen is supplied to an anode, and air is supplied to a cathode so as to generate electrical power via an electrochemical reaction. The stop method includes the steps of stopping supply of hydrogen to the anode, electrically connecting the anode and the cathode via an electrical load, and supplying air to the anode.

Abstract: A sealed battery includes an electrode group formed by winding or stacking a positive electrode including a current collector carrying an active material layer thereon, a negative electrode including a current collector carrying an active material layer thereon and a separator interposed therebetween. The current collectors of the positive and negative electrodes are exposed at an end thereof and the exposed ends are welded to current collector terminals, respectively. The active material layers formed on the surfaces of the current collectors are covered with heat resistant porous films, respectively. An end face of the separator is flush with or positioned inside relative to end faces of the heat resistant porous films. The heat resistant porous films have a melting point higher than that of the separator and have a thermal conductivity lower than that of the current collectors.

Abstract: A direct liquid feed fuel cell system includes fuel cells including an electrolyte membrane, a plurality of cathode electrodes formed on a first surface of the electrolyte membrane, and anode electrodes formed on a second part of the electrolyte membrane; and a high concentration fuel storage unit and a low concentration fuel storage unit which are separated from each other and store a liquid fuel to be supplied to the fuel cell. The liquid fuel in the low concentration fuel storage unit is supplied to the anode electrodes wherein the liquid fuel in the low concentration fuel storage unit is supplied to the anode electrodes when pressure is applied to the low concentration fuel storage unit, such as when the direct liquid feed fuel cell system having the low concentration fuel storage unit is mounted on an electronic device.

Abstract: A method for performing a plausibility check of a fuel cell stack anode side pressure sensor to determine whether the pressure sensor is providing an accurate measurement. Prior to system start-up when a cathode side compressor is not providing cathode air to a fuel cell stack, and the cathode side of the stack is at ambient pressure, a pressure measurement from a differential pressure sensor between the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell stack is provided. The differential pressure sensor reading is added to a pressure measurement from an ambient pressure sensor, where the sum should be about the same as the pressure measurement from the anode side pressure sensor if the anode side pressure sensor is operating properly.

Abstract: A sulfur breakthrough monitoring assembly for use in a fuel utilization system for detecting sulfur-containing compounds in desulfurized fuel, said monitoring assembly comprising: a heater for heating desulfurized fuel to a predetermined temperature, the predetermined temperature being between 450° C. and 600° C., a sulfur breakthrough detector adapted to receive heated fuel from the heater and including at least a reforming catalyst bed for reforming the heated fuel and a plurality of temperature sensors including a first temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the heated fuel before the fuel is conveyed through the reforming catalyst bed and a second temperature sensor for sensing temperature in the reforming catalyst bed, and a controller for determining whether concentration of the sulfur-containing compounds in the fuel exceeds a first predetermined concentration based on temperature outputs from the first and second temperature sensors.

Abstract: A fuel cell system which includes: a fuel cell having a fuel gas flow path and an oxidant gas flow path and generating electricity by being supplied a fuel gas to the fuel gas flow path and an oxidant gas to the oxidant gas flow path; fuel gas supplying means; a discharge valve; fuel gas exchange means for exchanging an atmosphere inside the fuel gas flow path for the fuel gas at a starting of the system; and cold start determination means for determining whether to conduct or not to conduct the cold start of the system, wherein when the cold start determination means determines to conduct the cold start, the cold start determination means increases a total discharge amount of a gas to be discharged for exchanging the atmosphere inside the fuel gas flow path for the fuel gas, and thereby increases a fuel gas concentration in the fuel gas flow path.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for power generation comprising a solid polymer type fuel cell having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane for separating an anode gas and a cathode gas, a resistor, an inverter, a switch for switching the inverter and the resister with respect to the fuel cell, the switch and the inverter, a supply conduit and discharge conduit for the anode gas and the cathode gas, and a supply vale and a discharge valve. When a molar ratio of the hydrogen contained in the anode gas to oxygen contained in the cathode gas becomes 2/1 or less at the time of the stop of the fuel cell, the supply valve for air is closed.

Abstract: Provided is a method for load following operation of a fuel cell system in which reliable reforming and the prevention of flow blockage and anode degradation are possible. Functions F=f(P) and P=f?1(F) of an electrical output P and a fuel flow rate F required to output P are beforehand obtained. Reforming catalyst layer temperatures Tj and reformable fuel flow rates Gj at Tj are predetermined. Gj corresponding to the maximum Tj that is equal to or less than the measured temperature T of the catalyst layer is set as FR. When FR<Fmin (minimum F), electric power generation is stopped. When FR?Fmin, 1 is performed if an output demand value PD?a maximum output PM, and 2 is performed if PD>PM. 1) In the case of f(PD)?FR, output is set to PD and the fuel flow rate is set to f(PD). In the case of f(PD)>FR, the output is set to a value that is less than PD and the maximum among P calculated by P=f?1(FR), and the fuel flow rate is set to FR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system comprises at least one reformer for generating a reformate gas and at least one fuel cell for generating an electric current. An increased lifespan for the anode is achieved when with said anode an anode state value is continuously determined which correlates to a current degree of loading with carbon of the anode of the at least one fuel cell and when depending on the anode state value an oxygen-carbon ratio is varied in the reformate gas which is fed to the anode of the respective fuel cell.

Abstract: A hybrid voltage supply apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and an electronic system employing the hybrid voltage supply apparatus as a power supply are provided. The hybrid voltage supply apparatus includes a hybrid voltage supply apparatus including a main power supply, an auxiliary power supply, and a first voltage adjustment unit which operates in any one of a feed-forward driving mode and a feed-back driving mode according to at least one operating parameter of the main power supply, and adjusts an output voltage of the main power supply to a first predetermined DC voltage.

Abstract: An air supply system for a fuel cell and a fuel supply system with the same include a housing having an inlet hole and an outlet hole for respectively allowing inward and outward flow of a fluid; an air pump inserted and installed into the housing and having an inlet tube into which the fluid flows and an outlet tube through which the fluid flows out; a filtering portion installed between the inlet hole and the outlet hole within the housing and filtering particulate contaminants and chemical contaminants in the fluid; and a soundproofing member installed between the outlet tube and the outlet hole within the housing.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that includes a control system for regulating the power produced by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack adapted to produce electrical power from a feed. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a fuel processing assembly adapted to produce the feed for the fuel cell stack from one or more feedstocks. The control system regulates the power produced by the fuel cell system to prevent damage to, and/or failure of, the system.

Abstract: The moisture state of a fuel cell is determined without causing any variation in the supply state of the reactant gas to be supplied to the fuel cell. An output current control section [[71]] temporarily performs a current sweep while maintaining the amount of oxidant gas to be supplied to the fuel cell. A resistance component calculation section [[72b]] calculates the resistance component in the fuel cell by using an output current value and an output voltage value of the fuel cell being that of when the current sweep is temporarily performed. A moisture content calculation section [[72c]] calculates the moisture content in the fuel cell by using the resistance component. A moisture content determination section [[72d]] determines whether or not the moisture content is equal to or lower than a dry state threshold value. A moisture content increasing processing section [[73]] performs a moisture content increasing process when the moisture content is equal to or lower than the dry state threshold value.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including: a fuel cell including a fuel gas channel and an oxidant gas channel, which is configured to generate electricity using a fuel gas and an oxidant gas; a diluting unit configured to dilute gas discharged from the fuel gas channel by mixing the discharged gas with a dilution gas which is supplied from an oxidant gas supply unit and passed through and discharged from the fuel cell, and to exhaust the diluted gas to outside; a purge valve configured to purge gas in the fuel gas channel to the diluting unit; a scavenging unit configured to scavenge the fuel gas channel and the oxidant gas channel; and a dilution assist unit configured to supply a dilution assist gas to the diluting unit through an assist passage connected to the diluting unit to assist dilution in the diluting unit, during scavenging by the scavenging unit.

Abstract: Moisture caused by humidity in the fuel gas and water vapor from the water that is generated become condensed inside a fuel cell when power generation in the fuel cell is temporarily stopped, making obstruction to the fuel gas flow channel when power generation is restarted possible. A fuel cell includes an electrolyte membrane sandwiched between a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode. Oxidant is supplied to the oxidant electrode in the fuel cell, and the fuel emitted from the fuel electrode of the fuel cell is resupplied back to the fuel electrode. When requested power generating capacity for the fuel cell is less than a prescribed capacity, the oxidant supply is temporarily stopped while the fuel continues to circulate in order to prevent obstruction in the fuel flow channel due to water condensation, making a reliable fuel supply becomes possible.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting, storing and using the oxygen-rich effluent generated when charging a metal-air battery pack is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell system for vehicles and a method for controlling the same which stably maintains an output of a fuel cell by precisely estimating a recirculated hydrogen amount to a stack. A fuel cell system according to the present invention may include: a stack comprising a plurality of unit cells for generating electrical energy by electrochemical reaction of a fuel and an oxidizing agent; a blower for recirculating a gas exhausted from the stack so as to supply the gas back to the stack; an ejector for recirculating the gas exhausted from the stack, receiving hydrogen so as to mix the hydrogen to the recirculated gas, and supplying the mixture to the stack; a sensor module for detecting a driving condition of the vehicle; and a control portion for controlling operations of the blower and the ejector by using the driving condition of the vehicle and performance maps of the blower and the ejector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell system capable of stabilizing the power generation state of a fuel cell for a period of transition from a power generation stop state during an intermittent operation or the like to a usual operation. The fuel cell system supplies a fuel gas from a fuel supply source to a fuel cell to generate a power, and comprises output limit means for limiting the output of the fuel cell after shift from the power generation stop state of the fuel cell to a power generation state.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and predicting low performing cells in a fuel cell stack. When the fuel cell stack is running and certain data validity criteria have been met, an algorithm collects the data, such as stack current density, average cell voltage and minimum cell voltage. This information is used to estimate predetermined parameters that define the stack polarization curve. The system defines a predetermined minimum current density that is used to identify a low performing cell. The system then calculates an average cell voltage and a minimum cell voltage at the minimum current density set-point, and calculates a cell voltage difference between the two. If the cell voltage difference is greater than a predetermined low voltage threshold and the minimum cell voltage is less than a predetermined high voltage threshold, the algorithm sets a flag identifying a potential for a low performing cell.

Abstract: A fuel cartridge includes a fuel containing substance and a heater in thermal communication with the fuel containing substance.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing electricity in high temperature fuel cell systems. Gas is circulated at anode sides of the fuel cells. A gas composition at anode sides is determined for providing composition information, and desired temperature conditions are arranged for producing electricity with fuel cells. Rated power of the fuel cell system is controlled by an auxiliary water feed to the fuel cell system by utilizing the composition information, by performing controlled gas recirculation at anode sides by utilizing the composition information by changing the gas recirculation, when a desire arises, and by performing controlled gas feed in to the fuel cell system by utilizing the composition information by changing the gas feed, when a need arises, to change the rated power of the fuel cell system to keep electricity production conditions substantially optimal for the gas used as fuel in the high temperature fuel cell system.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with improved fuel cell stack assemblies, and methods of operation of a fuel cell stack assembly, particularly with improved gas flow and thermal management.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell including a fuel cell stack; a stack case which contains the fuel cell stack; and a blocking device including connecting portions which electrically connect, to output terminal portions of the fuel cell stack, output cables to transmit the output of the fuel cell stack to a device provided outside the stack case, the blocking device being capable of blocking the mutual connection performed by the mechanical operation of the connecting portions from the outside of the stack case. Moreover, at least a portion of the blocking device in which the output cables are electrically connected to the connecting portions is arranged outside the stack case.

Abstract: There are provided a power generation unit, a fuel tank, a line, a mixing tank, a fuel circulation unit which circulates a mixture fuel from the mixing tank to the mixing tank via the power generation unit and the line, a fuel supplier which supplies the fuel from the fuel tank to the mixing tank, an air supplier which supplies air to a cathode, a power adjustment unit which adjusts the current applied to the load in accordance with a generated power output, a fan which adjusts the temperature of the power generator, and a control unit which detects the concentration and volume of the mixture fuel and manipulates, on the basis of a detection result, the fuel circulation unit, the fuel supplier, the load of the power adjustment unit, the air supplier and the fan to control the concentration and volume of the mixture fuel.

Abstract: A power generation system has a fuel cell stack and at least one condensation point in the system at which water present after shutdown of the power generation system can condense or collect. Drying after shutdown is improved by maintaining a temperature gradient between the condensation point and at least one other component in the power generation system after shutdown. In one embodiment, the temperature gradient is maintained by housing the fuel cell stack in a thermally insulated container and arranging the condensation point outside of the insulating container. In another embodiment, drying after shutdown is accomplished with an adsorption unit having a water-adsorbing material arranged in a desired location within the power generation system.

Abstract: A fuel cell for a fuel cell generator including a housing including a gas flow path for receiving a fuel from a fuel source and directing the fuel across the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes an elongate member including opposing first and second ends and defining an interior cathode portion and an exterior anode portion. The interior cathode portion includes an electrode in contact with an oxidant flow path. The exterior anode portion includes an electrode in contact with the fuel in the gas flow path. The anode portion includes a catalyst material for effecting fuel reformation along the fuel cell between the opposing ends. A fuel reformation control layer is applied over the catalyst material for reducing a rate of fuel reformation on the fuel cell. The control layer effects a variable reformation rate along the length of the fuel cell.

Abstract: Problems of acceleration of drying of electrolyte membrane and local reaction, etc. can be properly coped with to attain the stabilization of performance of fuel cell.

Abstract: An insulating mount structure for a fuel cell, which includes insulating mounts (2) for mounting the fuel cell stack (1) on a grounded structure (7), and a water barrier (3) extending in a space between the fuel cell a stack (1) and the grounded structure (7), being electrically isolated from both of the fuel cell (1) and the grounded structure (7). The water barrier (3) is formed in a container shape having an opening (3a) on upper side thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for discharging used operating media of a fuel cell (1) in a fuel cell system (20), at least some of which are explosive, comprising a sensor unit (30) for examining the operating media discharged from an operating space (27). In order to discharge the used operating media from the fuel cell system independently of the operation of the fuel cell system and taking safety regulations into account, a mixing zone (32) is provided for mixing the operating media with a scavenging medium (28) to obtain waste air (33), wherein the operating space (27) is closed by a fan (29), and the sensor unit (30) is disposed downstream of the mixing zone (32), viewed in the flow direction of the waste air (33).

Abstract: The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus (10). Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The generation of hydrogen is regulated automatically by the selective exposure of a catalyst (48) to the fuel mixture depending on the pressure inside the reaction chamber (28) of the gas-generating apparatus. Catalyst sealing mechanisms (40, 42) are provided at least partially within the reaction chamber to regulate the hydrogen pressure and to minimize the fluctuations in pressure of the hydrogen received by the fuel cell.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system (10), an anode exhaust gas discharge pipe (50) is full of hydrogen at the start of operation of a fuel cell (20). As time passes when the fuel cell (20) is operating, the concentration of impurities within the anode exhaust gas discharge pipe (50) increases. When the hydrogen concentration is less than a reference concentration for opening a valve, an upstream cut-off valve (61) closes and a downstream cut off valve (62) opens. As a result, the impurity concentration in the anode gas discharge pipe (50) quickly drops and is restored to the level that it was at the start of operation of the fuel cell (20). This sudden drop in the impurity concentration is caused by a pressure difference between the pressure in the anode exhaust gas pipe (50) and the pressure of the outside air, and the concentration gradient.

Abstract: If the combination fuel cell and ion pump is judged to be operating in a hydrogen generation mode, an input amount of electricity supplied to the combination fuel cell and ion pump is controlled, so as to control an amount of refined hydrogen generated thereby. If the combination fuel cell and ion pump is judged to be operating in an electricity generation mode, an output amount of electricity supplied from the combination fuel cell and ion pump is controlled, so as to control an amount of electricity generated thereby. The input amount of electricity supplied to the combination fuel cell and ion pump, or the output amount of electricity supplied from the combination fuel cell and ion pump, is corrected based on the temperature of a combustor.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a branch anode gas supply pipe in which hydrogen before supplied to a fuel cell flows; and a branch cathode gas supply pipe in which air before supplied to the fuel cell flows. One end on the upstream side of the branch anode gas supply pipe is connected to the upstream side of a regulator in an anode gas supply pipe, and the other end thereof is connected to the branch cathode gas supply pipe via a hydrogen injector. The branch anode gas supply pipe is provided with a hydrogen regulator, which detects a pressure in the branch cathode gas supply pipe as a signal pressure.

Abstract: At a start of a fuel cell, discharge of a generated water is ended at a proper timing. Supply of the reactive gas is started at a first flowrate. Then, in a case that the generated water retained by a reactive electrode is determined to outflow to an internal gas flow channel side among unit cells more than or equal to a preset determination cell number, the flowrate of the reactive gas is changed to a second flowrate that is smaller than the first flowrate.

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.