Abstract: A system and method for detecting small hydrogen leaks in an anode of a fuel cell system. The method includes determining that a shut-down sequence has begun, and if so, deplete the cathode side of a fuel cell stack of oxygen. The method then increases the pressure of the anode side of the fuel cell stack to a predetermined set-point, and monitors the pressure decay of the anode side of the stack. The method compares the rate of pressure decay to an expected pressure decay rate, and if the measured pressure decay rate exceeds the expected pressure decay rate by a certain threshold, determines that a potential leak exists.

Abstract: An object is to suppress the degradation of durability due to a heat concentration while performing a rapid warm-up operation as necessary, when starting a fuel cell system at temperatures below freezing point.

Abstract: A gas supply device for use in a fuel cell system, comprises: a first injector configured to have a first maximum valve-openable pressure; a second injector arranged in parallel with the first injector and configured to have a lower flow rate than the first injector and a greater second maximum valve-openable pressure than the first maximum valve-openable pressure; a first pressure sensor located upstream of the first and second injectors; and a controller configured to control open/close operation of the first and second injectors, wherein at a start of the fuel cell system, (i) when pressure in the upstream of the first and second injectors is greater than the first maximum valve-openable pressure but is less than or equal to the second maximum valve-openable pressure, the controller opens the second injector, and (ii) when the pressure in the upstream of the first and second injectors is less than or equal to the first maximum valve-openable pressure, the controller opens the first injector or the second i

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a control valve and a controller. The controller controls the control valve to periodically increase and decrease the anode gas pressure downstream of the control valve. The controller executes a shutdown operation of the fuel cell by closing the control valve to stop the anode gas and shutting down power generation of the fuel cell upon receiving a shutdown command. The controller estimates an anode gas concentration at a location where the anode gas concentration is locally lower within a power generation region of the fuel cell based on a control state of the anode gas at a time the shutdown command is issued. The controller determines whether to permit or prohibit shutting down the power generating operation based on the anode gas concentration.

Abstract: A method of controlled fuel release from a fuel storage composition including applying an electric field to a section of the fuel storage composition, supplying a reagent to the section of the fuel storage composition, measuring a system parameter, and adjusting an electric field parameter based on the system parameter measurement.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a control valve and a controller. The controller controls the control valve to periodically increase and decrease the anode gas pressure downstream of the control valve. The controller executes a shutdown/restart operation of the fuel cell by closing the control valve to stop the anode gas and shutting down power generation of the fuel cell upon receiving a shutdown command, and restarting feeding of the anode gas and restarting the power generation upon a prescribed operation restart condition being met. The controller estimates an anode gas concentration at a location where the anode gas concentration is locally lower within a power generation region of the fuel cell based on a control state of the anode gas when the shutdown command is issued. The controller sets the prescribed operation restart condition for executing the shutdown/restart operation based on the anode gas concentration.

Abstract: Polysulfone based polymer comprising a repeat unit represented by the following Chemical Formula 1 is provided: wherein, X, M1, M2, a, b, c, d, e, f, R1, R2, R3, R4 and n are as defined in the detailed description.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a circulation path, a water reservoir, a water level detector, a water discharger and a controller. The fuel cell generates electric power using fuel gas supplied to an anode and oxidant gas supplied to a cathode. Off-gas discharged from the fuel cell is returned to the fuel cell again through the circulation path. The water reservoir is disposed in the circulation path and stores water separated from the off-gas. During monitoring after stop of the fuel cell system or at startup of the fuel cell system, the controller operates the water discharger to discharge the water stored in the water reservoir when the controller determines that a level of the water detected or estimated by the water level detector is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference water level.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack comprising a fuel inlet and an oxidant inlet for allowing the supply of a fuel and an oxidant to the fuel cell stack, respectively, and a fuel outlet and an oxidant outlet for allowing the removal of an anode exhaust and a cathode exhaust from the fuel cell stack, respectively, wherein the fuel outlet is fluidly connected to a high frequency purge valve.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the corrosive effects of an air/hydrogen front in a fuel cell stack. The method includes shutting down the fuel cell stack and then initiating a hydrogen sustaining process where hydrogen is periodically injected into an anode side of the fuel cell stack while the stack is shut down for a predetermined period of time. The method determines that the hydrogen sustaining process has ended, and then purges the anode side and a cathode side of the fuel cell stack with air after the hydrogen sustaining process has ended and the stack is still shut-down.

Abstract: In a method for starting a fuel cell system, an oxidizer gas bypass passage is operated by an oxidizer gas bypass passage controller to supply oxidizer gas to a diluter from an oxidizer gas supply device under a condition where an oxidizer gas supply passage is sealed by an oxidizer gas supply passage sealing device and an oxidizer exhaust gas exhaust passage is sealed by an oxidizer exhaust gas exhaust passage sealing device. A fuel exhaust gas recirculation passage is operated by a fuel exhaust gas recirculation passage controller to supply fuel gas to the fuel cell from a fuel gas supply device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the reactants in anode and cathode compartments of a fuel cell stack while the fuel cell stack is in a stand-by or idle-stop mode. The method includes identifying a voltage set-point for an average voltage of the fuel cells in the fuel cell stack or an overall stack voltage that is a minimum voltage acceptable for the idle-stop mode. The actual cell voltage average or stack voltage is compared to the voltage set-point to generate a voltage error. The voltage error is provided to a controller that does one or both of providing hydrogen gas to the anode compartment of the stack to increase the anode compartment pressure, which decreases the voltage error if the voltage is above the voltage set-point, or providing more cathode air to the cathode compartment of the fuel cell stack if the voltage error is below the voltage set-point.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a cell stack, a secondary battery, and a controller including a CPU, a main switch, and a stop button. After the main switch is turned OFF, if there is no power generation stopping command from the stop button, the CPU stops power generation in the cell stack after continuing power generation in the cell stack until a charge rate of the secondary battery becomes not lower than a first threshold value. If the charge rate is not lower than a second threshold value and is lower than the first threshold value, generation in the cell stack is stopped in response to the power generation stopping command from the stop button. If the charge rate is lower than the second threshold value, power generation in the cell stack is continued to charge the secondary battery until the charge rate becomes not lower than the second threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting an estimation of nitrogen in an anode side of a fuel cell stack. The system includes a fuel cell stack and a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in an anode sub-system. The system also includes a controller configured to control the estimation of nitrogen permeation from the cathode side to the anode side of the stack, where the controller determines if the pressure in the anode sub-system equilibrates with atmospheric pressure in a shorter period of time after shutdown compared to the time necessary for the anode sub-system to reach approximately atmospheric pressure after a previous shutdown or calibrated time value, and corrects the estimation of nitrogen in the anode side of the stack if the pressure equilibrates in a shorter period of time.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) adapted to prolong the useful life of an energy storage device is disclosed. In its simplest form, it can include: detecting (310) a first threshold of an energy conversion module comprising at least one of a temperature threshold, oxygen threshold, voltage, a current threshold, a power threshold and moisture threshold; sensing (320) a temperature in proximity to a thermal module comprising at least one of a fuel tank, an electronic computing module, and a housing; and generating (330) an air stream based on the detected first threshold (310) and the sensed temperature (320). The device (200) and method (300) can automatically and dynamically manage, for example, temperature, oxygen and/or moisture of an energy storage module, to maintain the energy storage module within desired specifications and tolerances. This can help to prolong the useful life of the energy storage module and its components and help to maintain a maximum recharging capacity.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack includes a plurality of fuel cell modules. Each of the fuel cell modules has a first membrane electrode assembly and a second membrane electrode assembly respectively having an electrolyte membrane and being arranged, such that respective first electrodes are opposed to each other. The fuel cell module also has a first reactive gas flow path arranged to supply a first reactive gas to the first electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly, a second reactive gas flow path arranged to supply a second reactive gas to the second electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly, and a coolant flow path arranged to cool down the second electrodes included in the first membrane electrode assembly and the second membrane electrode assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicular power source unit having an external electric power supply controlling element (94) configured to control the operation of a heater (16) and a recharger (22) operated by an electric power supplied from a commercial power source (70) via an external power source connector (25) according to a terminal voltage and temperature of a fuel cell (10) detected by a fuel cell state detecting element (91) and a state of a battery (20) detected by a battery state detecting element (92) when a fuel cell vehicle is halted, the supply of reactant gas to the fuel cell (10) by a fuel cell controlling element (93) is stopped and the external power source connector (25) is connected to the commercial power source (70).

Abstract: In a method for stopping an operation of a fuel cell system, supply of a fuel gas to an anode side of a fuel cell provided in the fuel cell system is stopped. A fuel exhaust gas discharged from the fuel cell is recirculated to the anode side of the fuel cell. An oxidant-exhaust-gas discharge path through which an oxidant exhaust gas is to be discharged from the fuel cell is sealed at a downstream position of a connecting portion at which the oxidant-exhaust-gas discharge path is connected to an oxidant-exhaust-gas recirculation path. The oxidant exhaust gas is recirculated to a cathode side of the fuel cell through the oxidant-exhaust-gas recirculation path. Recirculation of the fuel exhaust gas is stopped. Recirculation of the oxidant exhaust gas is stopped. An oxidant-gas supply path through which an oxidant gas is to be supplied to the fuel cell is sealed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) includes a fuel cell (7), an electromagnetic diaphragm pump (8), a flow detector (9), and a controller (20). The controller is configured to set the frequency of the AC voltage (applied AC voltage) applied to the electromagnetic diaphragm pump, control the voltage of the applied AC voltage in the set frequency to cause the flow rate of the gas detected by the flow detector to reach a target flow rate; and the controller is configured to newly set the frequency of the applied AC voltage to a frequency at which the voltage of the applied AC voltage becomes smaller than a predetermined voltage when the voltage of the applied AC voltage becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A method for starting operation of a solid polymer fuel cell from a temperature below 0° C. is disclosed that prevents certain problems with ice formation as the fuel cell thaws. During startup, the method involves providing the volumetric oxidant flow at a rate less than two thirds of its maximum when the coolant temperature is near 0° C.

Abstract: To provide a solid oxide fuel cell device capable of stably increasing the temperature of a fuel cell units and smoothly starting electrical generation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a purge system for a fuel cell, which can reduce the time required to thaw a frozen valve during cold start-up and reduce the whole start-up time, thus improving the cold start performance. In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a purge system for a fuel cell with improved cold start performance, the system preferably including a main pipe connected to a purge gas outlet of a fuel cell stack to discharge a purge gas purging the fuel cell stack and impurities; an auxiliary pipe branched from the main pipe; a purge valve installed in each of the main pipe and the auxiliary pipe to perform an purge operation; a cut-off valve installed at an upstream side of the purge valve in the auxiliary pipe; and a controller for controlling the operation of the purge valves and the cut-off valve.

Abstract: A power generation system includes: a fuel cell (11); a casing (12) accommodating the fuel cell (11); a controller (102); a supply and exhaust mechanism (104) including an exhaust passage (70) and an air supply passage (78); and a damage detector, provided in at least one of the supply and exhaust mechanism (104) and the casing (12), configured to detect damage to the exhaust passage (70). The controller (102) performs control to stop operation of the power generation system when the damage detector detects damage to the exhaust passage (70).

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell which generates power using a fuel; peripheral devices for operating the fuel cell and supplying power generated by the fuel cell to loads; and a heating module which heats at least one of the fuel cell and the peripheral devices using heat generated by a semiconductor device attached to the at least one of the fuel cell and the peripheral devices.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and a control method thereof are capable of preventing anode flooding due to a temperature difference between a stack and reformate upon starting a fuel cell system. The method of controlling a fuel cell system including steps of detecting a temperature of a fuel cell stack, detecting a temperature of reformate that is generated in a fuel reformer and then is supplied to the fuel cell stack through a heat exchanger, and setting the temperature of the reformate to be lower than the temperature of the fuel cell stack during a starting time of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems and methods for providing power to an energy-consuming device and cooling of the energy-consuming device utilizing the endothermic process of desorbing hydrogen gas from a hydride bed. Fuel cell systems include a fuel cell stack, a hydrogen storage device having a volume of a hydrogen storage material, and a heat exchange system operatively connected to the hydrogen storage device and configured to heat the hydrogen storage material to desorb hydrogen gas therefrom for delivery to the fuel cell stack. The heat exchange system is further configured to deliver a cooled fluid stream to the energy-consuming device for cooling thereof. The cooled fluid stream may be produced, or cooled, by the endothermic desorption of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen storage device. In some fuel cell systems, the heat exchange system utilizes heat from the energy-consuming device to heat the hydrogen storage material for desorption of hydrogen gas therefrom.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is equipped with a drive motor, a fuel cell, and a controller. The controller performs normal electric power generation under a condition that the fuel cell is not warmed up, warm-up electric power generation with lower electric power generation efficiency than normal electric power generation, and controls performance of warm-up electric power generation on a basis of a predetermined index on a necessity to warm up the fuel cell. The controller controls an operation state of the fuel cell during warm-up electric power generation on a basis of a correlation between the system loss required for warm-up of the fuel cell and a warm-up output required for driving of a load including the drive motor during warm-up of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method of operating the fuel cell stack having an anode side and a cathode side by flowing hydrogen into the anode side and flowing air into the cathode side. The fuel cell produces electricity that is used to operate a primary electrical device. To shut down the stack in one embodiment, the primary electrical device is disconnected from the stack. The flow of air into the cathode side is stopped and positive hydrogen pressure is maintained on the anode side. The fuel cell stack is shorted and oxygen in the cathode side is allowed to be consumed by hydrogen. The inlet and outlet valves of the anode and the cathode sides are closed. Thereafter, the flow of hydrogen into the anode side is stopped and the flow of exhaust from the cathode side is stopped.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly (20) has an extended operational life, in part, because of unique startup and shutdown procedures used for operating the fuel cell assembly. In disclosed examples, a purge gas mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen includes less than 2% hydrogen for selectively purging portions of the assembly during a startup or shutdown procedure. In a disclosed example, the hydrogen-nitrogen mixture contains less than 0.1% hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling output of a fuel cell to improve fuel efficiency of a fuel cell hybrid vehicle, in which the fuel cell is operated at a constant power at a maximum efficiency point, wherein the fuel cell and a storage means are directly connected if the output and energy of the storage means is insufficient, and the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped when the level of energy of the storage means is increased during stopping or during low power operation such that the fuel cell is intensively operated at the maximum efficiency point, thus improving the fuel efficiency of the fuel cell and the efficiency of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and an operation method thereof are provided, which are capable of properly executing special shutdown of the fuel cell system in the event of a trouble in purge operation by use of material gas. In the fuel cell system (100), if an abnormality occurs in a purge process by use of material gas during shutdown of the fuel cell system (100), the controller (11) brings, according to the contents of the abnormality, the opening/closing state of fuel electrode opening/closing devices (26, 23, 24) for opening and closing the outlet/inlet of a fuel electrode (13a), oxidant electrode opening/closing devices (25, 28, 20, 27) for opening and closing the outlet/inlet of an oxidant electrode (13c) or hydrogen generator opening/closing devices (21, 23, 22) for opening and closing the outlet/inlet of a hydrogen generator (12) into a state that is different from their opening/closing state when the purge process by use of the material gas is performed.

Abstract: The fuel cell power generation system includes a fuel cell, a reformer, a carbon monoxide decreasing unit, a first raw material supply source, a first valve which is provided to a first raw material flow passage, a second valve which is provided downstream of the carbon monoxide decreasing unit, a second raw material supply source which supplies a raw material to the inside of a flow passage which is closed by the first valve and the second valve from downstream of the carbon monoxide decreasing unit, and a control unit which controls the first valve and the second valve, wherein the control unit, after the first valve and the second valve are closed, supplies the raw material fed from the second raw material supply source to the inside of the flow passage closed by the first valve and the second valve at the time of stopping the system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system according to the present invention includes: a fuel cell (1); an accessory device; a sensor configured to detect an operation state of the fuel cell system; an accessory device abnormality detector (44) configured to detect an abnormality in the accessory device; a sensor abnormality detector (45) configured to detect an abnormality in the operation state of the fuel cell system; and a controller (47).

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant (10) includes a power supply (58) that directs a direct current to catalysts (24), (26) of a fuel cell (22) after terminating flow of electricity to a primary load (52), and after flow of an oxidant adjacent the cathode catalyst (26) is terminated, and while a reformate fuel is directed adjacent the anode catalyst (24). Pure hydrogen fuel generated thereby at the cathode catalyst (26) is directed into a hydrogen storage tank (62). Upon start-up of the power plant (10), the stored hydrogen gas is directed from the tank (62) to flow adjacent the anode catalyst (24) while a reformer (12) is being warmed up for operation, to provide virtually instantaneous start-up of the plant (10). Optionally, the stored hydrogen may be used occasionally during operation with the reformate fuel to meet an increased demand for electricity.

Abstract: A limit switch for detecting opening/closing of a hood is connected to a controller. A power supply relay is also connected to the controller. A switching contact of the relay is located on power supply line for supplying power supply from a fuel cell. When the hood is closed, the limit switch is on and the controller maintains the switching contact in a closed state so that power supply from the fuel cell to various power-consuming components is allowed. On the other hand, when the hood is opened, the limit switch is turned off. In response to this, the controller opens the switching contact so that the power supply from the fuel cell to the various power-consuming components is shut off.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that enables an assisted anode purge upon start-up is provided. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells with anodes and cathodes. The fuel cell stack has an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes. The fuel cell system further includes a suction device in fluid communication with at least one of the anode supply manifold and the anode exhaust manifold. The suction device adapted to selectively draw a partial vacuum on the fuel cell stack during a start-up of the fuel cell system. Methods for starting the fuel cell system are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided which estimates a water content in a fuel cell based on a predetermined map using an integrated value of electric current generated by the fuel cell (ST4) before power generation is stopped (ST5). When a temperature of the fuel cell has fallen lower than a predetermined value (ST7) after the power generation is stopped (ST5), the fuel cell system determines a dry degree in the fuel cell (ST8) and an anode scavenging period (ST9) based on predetermined maps. Scavenging is performed in an anode in the fuel cell for the anode scavenging period (ST10).

Abstract: A system and method for determining when to trigger reconditioning of a fuel cell stack and when to disable the reconditioning of the fuel cell stack. In one embodiment, the stack reconditioning is triggered when a maximum stack power estimation falls below a first predetermined power threshold. The reconditioning of the stack can be disabled so it is not performed when the trigger occurs if the reconditioning process does not raise the maximum power estimation above a second predetermined power threshold or the time from one reconditioning trigger to a next reconditioning trigger is less than a predetermined time threshold, or both.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a fuel cell includes a power generation-time gas supplier that supplies hydrogen-containing fuel gas to an anode of the fuel cell and supplies an oxygen-containing oxidizing gas to a cathode of the fuel cell during power generation of the fuel cell. The fuel cell system also includes an anode potential rise information acquirer that acquires anode potential rise information, which represents information regarding a status of an anode potential rise of the fuel cell, after termination of supplies of the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas by the power generation-time gas supplier. The fuel cell system further includes an anode morphology variation deriver that derives an anode morphology variation representing a degree of a morphology change of a catalyst metal included in the anode, based on the anode potential rise information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a direct oxidation fuel cell system including: a direct oxidation fuel cell including an anode and a cathode, an air pump for supplying air to the cathode, a liquid feed pump for supplying an aqueous fuel solution to the anode, and a collection tank for collecting an anode fluid discharged from the anode. The collection tank has an anode fluid collection port at which the anode fluid is merged with a liquid in the collection tank. Either during normal operation or during suspension of operation of the fuel cell system, or both, the volume of the liquid in the collection tank is controlled to be equal to or greater than a predetermined first lower-limit value. The first lower-limit value is set such that the anode fluid collection port is positioned below the level of the liquid in the collection tank.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a replacing unit for replacing a gas remaining in the anode of the fuel cell with the anode gas supplied anew by the anode gas supply unit when starting up the fuel cell. The amount of the anode gas is set to be lower, if the operation condition determining unit determines that the last operation was performed in a low-temperature and short-time operation mode. The operation condition determining unit sets the amount of the anode gas so that the gas remaining in the anode can be replaced with the anode gas with an entire anode capacity if the anode was been scavenged while no electro-chemical reaction was progressing in the fuel cell. The present invention can set the amount of anode gas appropriately when starting up the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for filling a fuel cell system with a fuel during start-up is disclosed, the method including the steps of providing a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuels cells, each fuel cell having an active area, the fuel cell stack including an anode supply manifold and an anode exhaust manifold, the anode supply manifold and in fluid communication with a source of fuel; providing an anode sub-system in fluid communication with an anode side of the fuel cell stack; and supplying the fuel to the fuel cell stack substantially uniformly and substantially simultaneously to compress any fluids in the fuel cell stack into a volume between an end of each active area adjacent to the anode exhaust manifold and an outlet of the anode sub-system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is provided that can suppress the degradation of the MEA and simultaneously assure the merchantability. The fuel cell system 1 includes: a fuel cell 10 that generates electric power by reacting hydrogen gas and oxidant gas; a temperature sensor 103 that detects the temperature of the fuel cell 10; a voltage lower limit calculation portion 31 that sets the voltage threshold to limit the output of the fuel cell 10 based on the temperature detected of the fuel cell 10; a current upper limit calculation portion 32 and the current limiting portion 33 that limits the output of the fuel cell in a case where the voltage generated by the fuel cell 10 is lower than the voltage threshold.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant keeps track, such as with a fuel-off timer (41), of the extent to which shutdown of the fuel cell power plant has occurred, in case the fuel cell power plant is quickly commanded to resume full operation. In one embodiment, if the fuel-off timer has not timed out at the time that the fuel cell power plant is ordered to resume full operation, a fuel-on timer is set (51) equal to the value of the fuel-off timer when the fuel cell power plant is ordered to resume full operation. Then, the fuel cell power plant is refueled (22), in a duration of time related to the setting of the fuel-off timer, rather than doing a full fuel purge.

Abstract: The present invention comprises fuel cells 84 disposed within a fuel cell module 2; a reformer 20, a reformer temperature sensor 148 for detecting the temperature of the reformer; and a control section 110 for controlling the operation of a fuel cell module. When a restart of operation is executed in a state whereby stopping of the operation of the fuel cell module is being executed, the normal startup POX is skipped and restart by the ATR is executed, at least within a high temperature region within the POX temperature band, even if the reforming state temperature (Tr, Ts) is within the normal startup POX temperature band W2.

Abstract: The fuel cell system of the present invention supplies oxidant gas to a fuel cell during periods where generation of electrical power by the fuel cell is stopped. As a result, an amount of oxidant gas that is just sufficient to continue a reaction with remaining fuel gas is continued even when generation of electrical power itself is stopped. It is therefore possible to protect electrolyte membranes from damage occurring as a result of oxygen deficiency. Further, in addition to intermittent operation, the fuel cell system of the present invention is also applicable to steps for the stopping of generation of electrical power by a fuel cell in accordance with other conditions or at the time of the complete stopping of operation of the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and a stop method thereof are provided that can supply inert gas to the anode with a simple configuration during system stop. The method includes the steps of: cutting off new supply of fuel gas to the anode and discharge of discharge gas from the anode to outside after a stop command for the system (S1 and S2); continuing electric power generation by way of the stack in a state in which the supply and discharge of gas is cut off according to the step of cutting off (S3 to S12); storing, in a N2 storage portion, gas discharged to an air discharge line in the step of continuing (Steps S8 to S10); and introducing inert gas stored inside of the N2 storage portion to inside of a hydrogen supply line, after the step of continuing (S13 to S17).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polyarylene-based polymer, a preparation method for the same, and a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell using the polymer. The polyarylene-based polymer, which is designed to have long side chains of a hydrophilic moiety and dense sulfonic acid groups, may improve the formation of ion channels when fabricating a polymer membrane and also ensures good chemical stability of the hydrophilic moiety and good dimensional stability against water. Further, the preparation method of the present invention simplifies production of the polymer, and polymer electrolyte membranes using the polymer exhibits improved properties as a polymer electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell, such as high proton conductivity, even under an atmosphere of low water uptake, and good dimensional stability against a long-term exposure to water.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is turned off without using up the electric power of a secondary battery in the case where a fuel cell fails to start up, while reducing the startup time of the fuel cell system. When an ignition key is turned on, a controller calculates allowable waiting time for a fuel cell to start up on the basis of the electric power stored in a secondary battery. If the fuel cell fails to start up during the period of time from the instant the ignition key was turned on until the allowable waiting time elapses, then the controller turns on an alarm lamp which indicates the startup failure of the fuel cell. Meanwhile, in the case where the fuel cell starts up, the controller begins a normal operation in which a traction motor and the like are actuated by using the electric power generated by the fuel cell and the electric power stored in the secondary battery.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: an AC impedance measuring unit which measures an AC impedance of a fuel cell at a scavenging start and which measures an AC impedance of the fuel cell when a predetermined time has elapsed from the scavenging start; a scavenging execution time estimation unit which estimates a scavenging execution time based on the AC impedance measured at the scavenging start, the AC impedance measured at a time when the predetermined time has elapsed from the scavenging start, and the predetermined time; and an error processing unit which forcibly terminates scavenging processing if no AC impedance can be measured at the time when the predetermined time has elapsed from the scavenging start.