Abstract: A fuel cell system includes an ECU that sets the fuel cell stack to a state of idling stop by lowering both a revolution speed of an air pump and a discharge current value of the fuel cell stack to less than during idling power generation within a range larger than 0, in response to a predetermined idling stop initiation condition having been satisfied during idling power generation. The ECU decreases the discharge current value further as the lowest cell voltage value CV_low of the fuel cell stack decreases so that the lowest cell voltage value CV_low does not fall below a cancellation threshold B, with an event of the lowest cell voltage CV_low of the fuel cell stack having fallen below the cancellation threshold B as a cancellation condition of idling stop.

Abstract: A fuel cell system of the present invention comprises a fuel cell (1) configured to generate electric power using a fuel gas, a fuel gas generator (2) configured to generate a fuel gas containing hydrogen using a raw material, a combustion burner (2a) configured to heat the fuel gas generator, a combustion fan (2b) configured to supply air to a combustion burner (2a), and a controller (101). The raw material is filled inside the fuel cell (1) before the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel cell. The controller (101) controls on-off valves (8, 9) to cause the fuel gas to branch to flow to a second path (R2) and to a fourth path (R4) when the fuel gas generated in the fuel gas generator (2) starts to be supplied to the fuel cell (1).

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: One embodiment of the invention includes a product comprising a fuel cell stack comprising at least one coolant header, and at least one heater at least partially disposed in the at least one coolant header.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates in part to a flow field structure comprising a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part communicably attached to each other via a connecting interface. The present disclosure further relates to electrochemical cells comprising the aforementioned flow fields.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a power supply controller. In response to input of a first command prior to a start of fuel cells in a state of power supply from a power source to fuel cell-related auxiliary machinery, the power supply controller reduces an amount of electric power supplied to the fuel cell-related auxiliary machinery until input of a start instruction to start the fuel cells. In response to input of a second command, the power supply controller instructs to continue the power supply from the power source to the fuel cell-related auxiliary machinery without reducing the electric power level of the power supply, irrespective of the input or non-input of the first command. The fuel cell system of this arrangement effectively reduces the amount of electric power consumed by an electricity storage device before a start of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A system including a fuel cell system configured to produce power from a fuel and a device configured to receive the power as the power is produced. The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell arrangement fueled by a fuel supply, and a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of available power. The device is configured to manage a device functionality to match the available power.

Abstract: In a fuel cell system, a controller is programmed to control a first gas supply mechanism to deliver a first gas containing a fuel gas to a cathode in a pre-stop process performed at a system stop of the fuel cell system. The controller is programmed to control the first gas supply mechanism to stop the delivery of the first gas in a first state where a partial pressure difference between an anode and the cathode with respect to at least the fuel gas of remaining gases in the anode and in the cathode is reduced to or below a preset reference value.

Abstract: Procedure for detecting the sealing state of a fuel cell stack in which, as soon as the fuel cell stack is considered to be extinguished, the sum of the pressures in the anode circuit and in the cathode circuit equal to P1 is recorded. After an additional period of time of 180 seconds, the sum of the pressures in the anode circuit and in the cathode circuit equal to P2 is recorded. If P2 is less than P1, an alarm is triggered.

Abstract: The car battery system of the present invention is provided with a battery block 2 that retains a plurality of battery cells 1 in a stacked configuration and has a terminal plane 2A, which is coincident with terminal surfaces 1A established by positive and negative battery cell 1 electrode terminals 13; and with a battery state detection circuit 30 that connects with the electrode terminals 13 of each battery cell 1. The battery system is provided with a circuit board 7 with surface-mounted electronic components 40 that implement the battery state detection circuit 30. The circuit board 7 is a single-sided board with electronic components 40 mounted on only one side, and the circuit board 7 is attached to the battery block 2 opposite the terminal plane 2A with the side having no electronic components 40 facing the battery block 2. The positive and negative electrode terminals 13 of each battery cell 1 are connected with the circuit board 7 for connection to the battery state detection circuit 30.

Abstract: In a fuel cell power source system comprising a fuel cell, a fuel supplier for supplying a fuel to the fuel cell, an electricity storing member capable of charging and discharging an energy, and a control circuit for controlling outputs of the fuel cell and the electricity storing member and the fuel supplier for supplying a power to an external load, there are provided a method of operating the fuel cell power source system and a fuel cell system promoting safety of the fuel cell system and reducing a deterioration in the fuel cell by removing the fuel remaining at inside of the fuel cell after stopping the fuel supplier. At an initial stage of supplying the power to the external load and inside of the fuel cell system, the power is supplied from the electricity storing member, and the electricity storing member is charged by using an output outputted from the fuel cell by generating the power by the fuel cell by using the fuel remaining at inside of the fuel cell system after stopping the external load.

Abstract: At the time of start-up of a fuel cell, the anode and the cathode are supplied with a fuel gas containing hydrogen and an oxidant gas (e.g., air) containing oxygen and an impurity gas, respectively, and the output of the fuel cell is restricted (e.g., prohibited). After a difference between the partial pressure of the impurity gas in the anode and the partial pressure of the impurity gas in the cathode becomes less than a predetermined value, the restriction of the output of the fuel cell is lifted, and the output of the fuel cell is controlled according to the requested output.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that can quickly transition to idling stop and can suppress degradation of the electrolyte membrane and decline in cell voltage during idling stop, without requiring a discharge resistor to be provided, and a control method thereof are provided. A fuel cell system (1) includes a fuel cell (10) configured by layering a plurality of fuel cell cells that generate power by reactant gas being supplied thereto, and a supply device 20 that supplies reactant gas to the fuel cell (10), in which idling stop control is initiated to supply air of a lower flow rate than during idling power generation to the fuel cell (10), while producing lower current than during idling power generation from the fuel cell (10), in a case of a predetermined condition being established during idling power generation.

Abstract: Procedure for detecting the permeability state of the polymeric ion-exchange membrane of a fuel cell stack, in which, as soon as the pressure difference in the anode and cathode circuits drops to a value below a threshold value PS, the pressure variation in said circuits for a predetermined time period tC is measured and the pressure difference in these circuits at the end of a predetermined time period, called the control pressure PC, is calculated and a warning is given when the control pressure PC is below a warning threshold PA.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a fuel supply control system to control a fuel cell system to work in a predetermined temperature range by controlling a fuel supply rate. The fuel supply control system includes a fuel supply controller and a fuel supply device. The fuel supply controller calculates a temperature variation slope to generate a first fuel supply rate by increasing or decreasing the predetermined fuel supply rate according to the relationship of system temperature and predetermined working temperature, and controls a fuel delivering rate of the fuel supply device according to the first fuel supply rate.

Abstract: A start-up method for a fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell that carries out power generation by the electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and the oxygen gas in the air; a fuel gas discharge path and a fuel gas supply path that are connected to the fuel cell; a fuel gas circulation path in which the fuel gas discharge path merges with the fuel gas supply path; and a purge valve provided on the fuel gas circulation path in order to discharge the circulating fuel gas from the fuel gas circulation path. The method includes the steps of opening the purge valve at the same time that the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel cell and replacing the nitrogen gas that originates in the air and is present in the fuel gas circulation path by fuel gas; and closing the purge valve after the nitrogen gas in the fuel gas circulation path has been replaced by the fuel gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfonated poly(arylene ether) copolymer, a manufacturing method thereof and a polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell using the same.

Abstract: An energy management system controls the temperature of a fuel cell system while a vehicle is not running. The energy management system includes a fuel cell stack, a blower that provides air to the fuel cell stack, a water supply, and a hydrogen supply. A hydrogen supply valve is connected between the hydrogen supply and the fuel cell stack. A heater is connected to an output of the fuel cell stack. A controller controls the hydrogen supply valve and the blower to power the heater to warm the fuel cell stack and the water supply. The controller starts the blower and opens the hydrogen supply valve if heating is necessary and if a tank level signal exceeds a first tank level value. The controller activates a purge, drains water from the water supply, and inhibits vehicle startup if the tank level signal does not exceed a first tank level value.

Abstract: An oxygen-containing gas supply device of a fuel cell system is equipped with an oxygen-containing gas supply flow passage that communicates with an oxygen-containing gas inlet of a fuel cell. An oxygen-containing gas discharge flow passage communicates with an oxygen-containing gas outlet of the fuel cell. A compressor is disposed in the oxygen-containing gas supply flow passage and a supply flow passage sealing valve is disposed downstream from the compressor in the oxygen-containing gas supply flow passage. A discharge flow passage sealing valve is disposed in the oxygen-containing gas discharge flow passage, and a discharge fluid circulation flow passage that communicates with the oxygen-containing gas discharge flow passage is disposed at a location upstream from the discharge flow passage sealing valve, while also communicating with the oxygen-containing gas supply flow passage at a location upstream from the compressor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane-electrode assembly for a fuel cell with a proton-conducting membrane two catalyst layers adjoining both sides of the membrane, wherein the catalyst layers have an electrically conductive base material and at least one catalytic material deposited on the base material, and two gas diffusion layers adjoining the catalyst layers. The membrane and/or at least one of the catalyst layers and/or at least one of the gas diffusion layers includes at least one hydrogenatable material capable of binding hydrogen in a reversible exothermic hydrogenation operation by forming a hydride, depending on the temperature and/or pressure. The hydrogenatable material can be distributed in the gas diffusion layer and/or in the catalyst layer or can be present as a separate layer on at least one side of the gas diffusion electrode or the membrane.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including: a fuel cell supplied with a fuel gas to a fuel electrode thereof and air to an air electrode thereof; a fuel gas supplying device which supplies the fuel gas to the fuel electrode; an air supplying device which supplies air to the air electrode; a fuel gas pressure regulator which regulates fuel gas pressure at the fuel electrode; a purge valve which discharges exhaust fuel gas from the fuel electrode to the outside; and a controller. The controller continues power generation of the fuel cell, controlling the fuel gas pressure regulator to lower the fuel gas pressure at the fuel electrode, having the air supplying device continuing supplying air to the air electrode with the purge valve closed; and after the fuel gas pressure at the fuel electrode becomes equal to or lower than the atmospheric pressure, stops power generation of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method includes: determining whether or not an elapsed time since stopping of power generation of a fuel cell till an operation start instruction to start a fuel cell system is detected is shorter than a specified time, if the operation start instruction to start the fuel cell system is detected after the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped; setting, as a first amount, an amount of replacement of a fuel gas on an anode side, if it is determined that the elapsed time is shorter than the specified time; and setting, as a second amount, an amount of replacement of the fuel gas on the anode side, if it is determined that the elapsed time is longer than the specified time. The first amount is larger than the second amount.

Abstract: A method includes an in-stop-mode power generating process and a first startup process. In the a first startup process, if an operation start instruction to start a fuel cell system is detected after the in-stop-mode power generating process, supply of a fuel gas from a fuel-gas supply apparatus is started, and supply of an oxide gas from an oxide-gas supply apparatus is started after a predetermined time has elapsed from the starting of supply of the fuel gas, when a pressure of an anode side is equal to or lower than a first threshold pressure.

Abstract: A fluid detection system and method for a fuel cell power plant is disclosed having a pressure sensor (61, 161) positioned in a fuel cell stack assembly (10) to measure pressure of fluid/liquid in a fluid/liquid flow path (40, 42, 44) therein and to provide a pressure-based signal (90, 63). The pressure-based signal (90, 63) is used to control a liquid management arrangement (53) at least during start-up and shut-down of the cell stack assembly (10) to regulate water level. The liquid management arrangement (53) may include means (50, 51) for controllably applying and releasing a vacuum to a water manifold (44, 54; 100) of the cell stack assembly (10) to regulate water flow and level therein. The pressure-based control of water level may extend across the entire operating range of the cell stack assembly (10), or may be complemented during steady state operation by voltage-based sensors (66, 166).

Abstract: A method for determining an optimal combustion interval during start-up of a hydrocarbon catalytic reformer under various conditions of temperature, fuel type, and combustion fuel flow rate. An initial catalyst temperature is measured and an algorithm is used to calculate a rate of heating of the catalyst by combustion based upon heat content of the fuel, selected fuel flow rate, and heat capacity and mass of the catalyst and reformer passages. From the initial temperature and the heating gradient, an optimal combustion interval is inferred through the algorithm and used to terminate combustion, initiate a combustion quench interval, and change over the fuel flow rate and mixture from combustion to reforming.

Abstract: The invention is a hydrogen passivation shut down system for a fuel cell power plant (10, 200). During shut down of the plant (10, 200), hydrogen fuel is permitted to transfer between an anode flow path (24, 24?) and a cathode flow path (38, 38?). A passive hydrogen bleed line (202) permits passage of a smallest amount of hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) necessary to maintain the fuel cell (12?) in a passive state. A diffusion media (204) may be secured in fluid communication with the bleed line (202) to maintain a constant, slow rate of diffusion of the hydrogen into the fuel cell (12?) despite varying pressure differentials between the shutdown fuel cell (12?) and ambient atmosphere adjacent the cell (12?).

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system that can change the number of active phases in a DC/DC converter in order to prevent overcurrent from flowing through one point (e.g., a reactor of the DC/DC converter) in the system. In step S1, whether or not the system is in a state that causes a rapid change in a voltage command value is checked. If the system is in a state that causes a rapid change in the voltage command value, the processing goes to step S2, and if not, the processing goes to step S3. In step S2, a DC/DC converter is prohibited from being driven in a single phase and the processing ends. In step S3, the DC/DC converter is permitted to be driven in a single phase and the processing ends.

Abstract: Methods and systems of reducing the start-up time for a fuel cell are described. One method of reducing the start-up time includes: concurrently supporting load requests for the fuel cell and stabilizing the voltage of the fuel cell; wherein stabilizing the voltage of the fuel cell comprises: providing a flow of hydrogen to the fuel cell and opening an anode valve, wherein the hydrogen flow continues for predetermined volume or a predetermined time; and ending voltage stabilization after the predetermined volume or predetermined time is exceeded while continuing to support load requests for the fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel purification system includes a fuel cell stack and a fuel purification unit, such as a distillation unit. The fuel cell stack is adapted to provide heat to the fuel purification unit, and the fuel purification unit is adapted to provide a purified fuel to the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for protecting a set of electrochemical cells (C1, C2, C3) incorporated into a fuel cell stack from corrosion during an operation for shutting down the fuel cell stack, which method comprises steps of: measuring the voltage across the terminals of each of the cells to be protected; when the voltage measured for a cell is above a protection threshold, discharging (50) this cell into an electrical load (R1, R2, R3); when the voltage measured for a cell is below said protection threshold, disconnecting this cell from the electrical load.

Abstract: An electrochemical reactor, such as a fuel cell stack or an electrolyser, comprises: a stack (22) of electrochemical cells (25), each of which comprises at least one electrode plate (108-1) having one face in electrical contact with an electrolyte; at least one manifold (24) connected to said face of each of the cells in an exchange circuit, for exchanging a gas with the outside of the stack; a sensor (11) sensitive to the composition of said gas in the circuit; and at least one member for monitoring or for controlling an operational condition of this reactor in response to the measurements by said sensor. The stack (22) of cells and the manifold (24) form a one-piece reactor body (15) that comprises at least one chamber (20) integrated into this body in communication with said manifold. The gas composition sensor (11) is mounted in said one-piece body and comprises a sensitive unit (30) exposed directly to the in situ concentration of a component of said gas in said chamber (20).

Abstract: Included are: a power generation unit configured to generate electric power by consuming a raw material gas that has passed through a gas meter, the gas meter being configured to, if a state where continuously stopping a flow of the raw material gas for a reset period or longer is not performed has continued for a first upper limit period or longer, exert at least one of a function of outputting an abnormality indication signal and a function of blocking the flow of the raw material gas; a raw material gas supply device configured to supply the raw material gas to the power generation unit; and a controller.

Abstract: A method serves for operating a fuel cell system with at least a fuel cell and a feed air side air conveyor and an outgoing air side turbine. The fuel cell system is flushed at least during a switching-off procedure with air from the air conveyor. During flushing a connection is created between the air conveyor and the outgoing air side between the fuel cell and turbine.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell system capable of starting below freezing point without increasing the size of the diluter. The fuel cell system 1 comprises an OCV purge execution unit 42 replacing gas retained in a fuel cell 10 by supplying additional anode gas from a supply device 20 to the fuel cell 10 when starting up the fuel cell. In addition, the fuel cell system 1 comprises a low temperature startup determination unit 41 determining whether to perform low temperature startup or normal startup on the fuel cell 10. The OCV purge execution unit 42 decreases the pressure of additional anode gas supplied from the supply device 20 and increases the total replacing amount of gas retained in the fuel cell 10 in a case of performing low temperature startup, as compared with a case of performing normal startup.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has produced water amount detection means that detects the amount of water produced in the fuel cell during low-efficiency operation of the system and gas supply limitation means that limits the amount of gas to be supplied to the fuel cell, based on the detected amount of water. The produced water amount detection means allows the amount of produced water to be correctly determined during low-efficiency operation of the fuel cell, thereby enabling the appropriate warm-up, and inhibits a condition, in which the amount of produced water is too large and warm up operation is hindered, to be generated. As a result, the amount of water produced during low-efficiency operation of the fuel cell is correctly determined and the appropriate warm-up is enabled.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rapid start-up, auxiliary power, and air preheating device of high temperature fuel cell systems, which comprise of a metal sheet, metal mesh plates, insulated ceramic rings and a direct flame SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) positive electrolyte negative assembly (PEN). The metal mesh plates are used to substitute the electrode plates to collect the current. The ribs between the PEN and the metal mesh plates are also for collecting current, while the ceramic ring is an insulator. This device is able to pre-heat gas rapidly and generates power at the same time, it's costless, easy to assemble, rapid start-up, high electric conductivity, excellent sealing and etc. In addition, it can heat up the fuel cell stack rapidly and start up the system without lag.

Abstract: A method for starting up a fuel cell arrangement includes receiving a first electrical signal from an alternative power source. At least a portion of the first electrical signal is provided to a balance of plant (BOP) load, where the BOP load is in electrical communication with a fuel cell system. It is determined whether a startup threshold of the fuel cell system is met. If the startup threshold is met, a second electrical signal is provided from the fuel cell system to the BOP load, where a combination of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal corresponds to a load demand of the BOP load. A value of the second electrical signal is increased and a value of the first electrical signal is decreased until the load demand of the BOP load is met by the fuel cell system.

Abstract: A process for operating a fuel cell system (2) arranged in a vehicle (1), in which process a foreseeable travel time duration and/or a foreseeable travel time end point are communicated to a control device (4) of the fuel cell system (2) at the beginning of a travel of the vehicle (1) or during the travel. The control device (4) operates the fuel cell system (2) such that a switch-off procedure for switching off the fuel cell system (2) is started so far ahead of the foreseeable end of the travel in time that the switch-off procedure will have been completed extensively simultaneously with the foreseeable end of the travel and the fuel cell system (2) is switched off.

Abstract: A method includes determining, if an instruction to stop a operation of a fuel cell is detected, whether an in-stop-mode power generating process has been executed, a fuel gas being to be stopped and an oxide gas being to be supplied to the fuel cell to generate power from the oxide-gas supply apparatus in the in-stop-mode power generating process, and shortening a time for a diluting process to be executed by a scavenging apparatus when it is determined that the in-stop-mode power generating process has been executed, as compared with a case where it is determined that the in-stop-mode power generating process has not been executed.

Abstract: A method includes an in-stop-mode power generating process of, if an instruction to stop an operation of a fuel cell is detected, stopping supply of a fuel gas, and supplying an oxide gas to the fuel cell to generate power from an oxide-gas supply apparatus, and then stopping power generation of the fuel cell, and a gas replacing process of, after the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped, activating the gas replacement apparatus at a predetermined timing to supply a replacement gas to the anode side of the fuel cell to replace the fuel gas on the anode side with the replacement gas.

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: The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel cell temperature sensor for measuring the internal temperature of the fuel cell, a voltage sensor for measuring the power generation voltage of the fuel cell, a current sensor for measuring the current flowing from the fuel cell, a radiator for radiating heat generated by the fuel cell, a fan attached to the radiator for controlling the heat radiation amount, a cooling water pump for increasing the pressure of a cooling fluid, a bypass valve for controlling the cooling fluid amount entering the radiator, and a controller, on the basis of the voltage information measured by the voltage sensor, the temperature information measured by the temperature sensor, and the current information measured by the current sensor, for controlling at least one of the operation amount of the cooling water pump, the operation amount of the fan, and the cooling fluid amount flowing through the bypass valve.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, a water discharge channel through which a water content discharged from this fuel cell flows, and a water discharge valve which discharges, from the system, the water content in this water discharge channel, and the fuel cell system further includes a water discharge control section for controlling the water discharge valve so as to inhibit the water discharge from the water discharge valve from a time when the starting of the system is requested to a time when the temperature of the system reaches a predetermined temperature, in a case where the starting of the system is requested in an environment where an outside air temperature is less than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a fuel cell system capable of improving accuracy of water content estimation during a standstill. A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell having a plurality of single cells laminated together and an estimating unit for estimating residual water content distributions in a fuel gas flow channel and an oxidation gas flow channel and a moisture content distribution in an electrolyte membrane in a cell plane of each single cell while taking into consideration water transfer that occurs between an anode electrode and a cathode electrode via the electrolyte membrane. The estimating unit estimates a residual water content of the fuel gas flow channel during a standstill from a shutdown to a restart of the fuel cell system based on temperature information on each single cell acquired during the standstill.

Abstract: A PEM fuel system includes a fuel cell stack comprising one or more PEM fuel cells and fan configured to provide process air to supply oxidizer to and cool the fuel cell stack. The system has an air duct coupled to the fan and the fuel cell stack, and an electrical service load coupled to the fuel cell stack for receiving electrical power generated from reactions within the fuel cell stack. The system further includes as auxiliary electrical load coupled to the fuel cell stack and located within the air duct to reduce potentials across the fuel cell stack. The air duct is configured to direct the flow of air to the fuel cell stack and auxiliary electrical load to provide cooling air to the fuel cell stack and auxiliary electrical load.

Abstract: Upon stop of electric power generation of a fuel cell a hydrogen shutoff valve is closed, and a cathode is purged. At the same time, an air introducing valve and the purge valve are opened. The air taken in by the compressor is introduced into the anode through the air introducing tube to exhaust the hydrogen remaining in the anode to replace the hydrogen with the air. When the replacement of the hydrogen with the air has been finished, the compressor is turned off and the air introducing valve and the purge valve are opened. After that, if a temperature of the fuel cell is determined to be equal to or lower than a threshold “a”, a cathode-prioritized purge and an anode-prioritized purging are performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-temperature fuel cell system having a start burner. Such fuel cell systems are in particular operated at temperatures between 650° C. and 1000° C. due to the ion-conductive properties of the electrolytes used. It is necessary for this reason to carry out a heating before the actual operation of the systems, which takes place by an external supply of energy. The exhaust gas of a start burner of the high-temperature fuel cell system is supplied to a heat exchanger or to two heat exchangers in a series connection for the preheating of an oxidizing agent which can be supplied to at least one fuel cell at the cathode side.

Abstract: A method of actuating a fuel cell system equipped with a fuel cell is disclosed. The fuel cell system is supplied with reaction gases for generating electricity. The method includes the steps of: a first step for actuating the fuel cell in a low-temperature actuation mode to thereby warm up the fuel cell, if a low-temperature actuation condition is satisfied at a start-up of the fuel cell; and a second step for drying a membrane electrode assembly of the fuel cell, if a power generation capacity of the fuel cell is lower than a predetermined power generation capacity.

Abstract: A method includes determining, if an instruction to stop a operation of a fuel cell is detected, whether an in-stop-mode power generating process has been executed, a fuel gas being to be stopped and an oxide gas being to be supplied to the fuel cell to generate power from the oxide-gas supply apparatus in the in-stop-mode power generating process, and shortening a time for a diluting process to be executed by a scavenging apparatus when it is determined that the in-stop-mode power generating process has been executed, as compared with a case where it is determined that the in-stop-mode power generating process has not been executed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell generating electricity through reaction between fuel and oxidant gases; an air compressor supplying air, as the oxidant gas, to the fuel cell; a shut-off valve interrupting exhaust of air as fuel cell exhaust gas; an air flow meter measuring the flow rate of air supplied to the fuel cell; a pressure sensor measuring a supplied air pressure; and a control unit controlling power generation reaction of the fuel cell, calculating a first calculated air flow rate based on a value measured by the air flow meter and a second calculated air flow rate based on a system volume from the air compressor to the shut-off valve, an air pressure increase in the system volume, calculated based on a value measured by the pressure sensor, and an atmospheric pressure, and calculating a ratio of the second to first calculated air flow rates.