Abstract: Disclosed is a cooling module for use in a fuel cell system, the module includes a tank configured to receive a coolant therein, a coolant, a pump in fluid communication with the coolant in the tank and the fuel cell system, the pump being configured to transport the coolant to the fuel cell system, a heating element within the coolant in the tank, the heating element configured to heat the coolant, and at least one sensor in signal communication with a controller and in fluid communication with the tank. The sensor is configured to detect a change corresponding to the presence or absence of sufficient liquid coolant to initiate said pump, and the controller processes sensor data and is configured to actuate the pump.

Abstract: A cold start control method for a fuel cell is provided. The method includes determining whether a cold start condition upon start on is satisfied and estimating thawing energy required to thaw frozen moisture inside a fuel cell stack when the cold start condition has been satisfied. A thawing control SOC of a high-voltage battery is calculated based on the estimated thawing energy. The cooling water inside a cooling water line for cooling the fuel cell stack is heated by using a heater having received power from the high-voltage battery when the current SOC of the high-voltage battery is equal to or less than a thawing control SOC.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack; a first cooling medium circuit through which a cooling medium for cooling the fuel cell stack flows; an ion exchanger that removes ions in the cooling medium; a second cooling medium circuit in which the average ion concentration of the cooling medium is lower than that of the cooling medium in the first cooling medium circuit; a switching valve that switches between a flow state and a low flow state; a pump configured to cause the cooling medium in the second cooling medium circuit to flow into the first cooling medium circuit; and a control unit that, when a stop period of the fuel cell system is longer than a reference period, drives the pump with the switching valve switched to the flow state after the instruction to start the fuel cell system is input.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprising: a first line configured to pass through a fuel cell stack and allow a coolant to circulate therein; a pump provided in the first line; a second line having one end connected to the first line at a first point positioned between an outlet of the pump and the fuel cell stack, and the other end connected to the first line at a second point positioned between an inlet of the pump and the fuel cell stack; a heater provided in the second line to heat the coolant flowing along the second line; and a third line configured to pass through an air conditioning unit, connected to the first line between the first point and an outlet of the fuel cell stack, and configured to allow a part of the coolant to circulate therein.

Abstract: An FC (fuel cell) system includes: an FC; a radiator configured to cool a CL (cooling liquid); an ion exchanger provided in a BFP (bypass flow path) branched off from a CFP (circulation flow path) for allowing the CL to circulate between the FC and the radiator; a multi-way valve provided in a branching point at which the BFP is branched off from the CFP; and a pump which circulates the CL. A percentage of the CL that is made to flow through the BFP can be controlled by the multi-way valve. In a case in which a stop time is longer than a threshold time when the FC system is started up, after the CL is circulated through the radiator, the CL is circulated through the BFP at the percentage of 80% or more until electrical conductivity of the CL becomes smaller than a threshold electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A fuel cell vehicle includes a hydrogen injector, a controller, and a first power supply. The hydrogen injector is configured to open when supplied with a current large than or equal to a predetermined current threshold. The controller is configured to control a current that is supplied to the hydrogen injector such that the supply current follows a target current value. The first power supply is configured to supply electric power to the hydrogen injector and a prescribed auxiliary. The controller is configured to increase the target current value when the controller detects at least one of a first start signal for starting the prescribed auxiliary and a second start signal for informing startup of the prescribed auxiliary.

Abstract: Introduced is an fuel cell power net including a fuel cell configured to generate power through a reaction between a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, a power storage device configured to be charged with power generated by the fuel cell or discharged to supply power, a main line configured to electrically connect the fuel cell and the power storage device to each other; a main relay disposed on the main line so as to break or make an electrical connection between the fuel cell and the power storage device, a bypass line which is branched from the main line, bypasses the main relay, and is connected to the power storage device, a bypass relay disposed on the bypass line so as to break or make an electrical connection of the bypass line, and a controller configured to control the main relay or the bypass relay such that the power stored in the storage device is supplied to the fuel cell while the power generation of the fuel cell is stopped.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling a concentration of exhaust hydrogen in a fuel cell system. The apparatus may include an air exhaust valve for discharging hydrogen from a cathode in a fuel cell stack to an outside environment through an air exhaust line, an air compressor for supplying ambient air to the air exhaust line, an air cut-off valve for blocking air supplied to the cathode, and a controller that opens the air exhaust valve and drives the air compressor when starting to supply hydrogen to the fuel cell stack, and opens the air cut-off valve such that a concentration of the hydrogen discharged from the cathode is reduced by air in the air exhaust line when the hydrogen supply is completed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; an oxidant gas supply unit configured to supply an oxidant gas to a cathode electrode of the fuel cell; and a gas pressure control unit configured to detect as a gas pressure sensitivity a ratio of variation in an output of the fuel cell to variation in the pressure of the oxidant gas, specify a correspondence relationship between the pressure of the oxidant gas and the output of the fuel cell on the basis of the detected gas pressure sensitivity, and control the pressure of the oxidant gas on the basis of the specified correspondence relationship.

Abstract: A shutoff valve, a first gas pressure sensor, a pressure reducing valve, a second gas pressure sensor, and a gas supply component are provided, sequentially from a gas tank side, in a gas supply flow channel that extends from the gas tank to a gas consuming component. Besides, a buffer tank is provided, via an on-off valve, in a branch flow channel that branches off from the gas supply flow channel between the pressure reducing valve and the gas supply component. This buffer tank is in a situation where the pressure of the buffer tank is not higher than a consumption prescribed gas pressure. In calibrating the first gas pressure sensor, with the shutoff valve closed and with the on-off valve open, a detection value of the first gas pressure sensor is calibrated through the use of a detection value of the second gas pressure sensor.

Abstract: A shutdown control method of a fuel cell is provided. The method includes applying power to a controller in a shutdown state and determining, by the controller to which the power is applied, a possibility of moisture freezing based on an estimated outdoor temperature or the temperature of a fuel cell stack. A shutdown of the fuel cell is executed by performing moisture removal from the fuel cell stack in response to determining the possibility of moisture freezing after restart.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell unit; first and second supply systems; a switching device; a switching control unit, when required power of the fuel cell unit is equal to or smaller than a threshold; an open circuit voltage obtaining unit; and a supply system control unit.

Abstract: A method of measuring impedance of a fuel cell stack in a vehicle during driving of the vehicle includes: determining whether an impedance measurement of the fuel cell stack is requested during driving of the vehicle driven by power of the fuel cell stack; turning off a first relay connected between the fuel cell stack and a battery charged by the fuel cell stack when the impedance measurement of the fuel cell stack is requested; connecting a stack load to the fuel cell stack via a second relay and supplying air to the fuel cell stack; and measuring the impedance of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling system (10) for fuel cell stacks (22, 26), comprising a first cooling module (14) and a second cooling module (18). The first cooling module (14) comprises a fuel cell stack (22, 26), a supply line connection (30, 34) for connecting a supply line (38, 42) for supplying coolant to the fuel cell stack (22, 26), a discharge line connection (46, 50) for connecting a discharge line (54, 58) for discharging coolant from the fuel cell stack (22, 26), and a venting line connection (94, 98) for connecting a venting line (102, 106).

Abstract: An conditioning device for a fuel cell vehicle includes a heater core configured to heat air in a vehicle cabin with a coolant to be discharged from a FC stack cooled by the coolant as a heat source, a coolant heating heater configured to heat the coolant, an air heating heater configured to further heat air warmed by the heater core, and a vehicle ECU configured to, in a case where a heater core outlet coolant temperature based on a target blowing temperature is equal to or higher than an FC stack inlet target temperature, perform control such that the air heating heater is operated with an output set based on the heater core outlet coolant temperature, and the coolant heating heater is operated with an output set based on a heater core inlet target coolant temperature calculated according to the set output of the air heating heater.

Abstract: A temperature sensor of a fuel cell system detects, as a start-up time temperature, the temperature of a fuel cell stack or the outside temperature at the time of starting operation. A memory stores a plurality of current limitation patterns. A current limiting unit selects a current limitation pattern based on the detected start-up time temperature, and limits electrical current collected from the fuel cell stack based on the selected current limitation pattern and the temperature during operation of the fuel cell stack detected by the temperature sensor. A threshold value for a period until the temperature of the fuel cell stack reaches a reference temperature is set to be smaller as the start-up time temperature at which the current limitation pattern is selected from the plurality of current limitation patterns becomes lower.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a polymer electrolyte fuel cell that generates electric power using fuel gas and oxidant gas, a fuel gas supply path through which the fuel gas is supplied to an anode inlet of the fuel cell, a recycle gas path through which anode off-gas discharged from an anode outlet of the fuel cell returns to the fuel gas supply path, a pressure booster that is arranged in the fuel gas supply path between a confluence portion and the anode inlet, the fuel gas supply path and the recycle gas path meeting each other in the confluence portion, and a discharge path through which an impurity mixed into the anode off-gas is discharged outside.

Abstract: A water content estimation method includes: measuring, by a temperature sensor, the temperature of coolant for cooling a fuel cell stack; calculating, by a water content calculator, a current heat capacity of the fuel cell stack based on the measured temperature of coolant; and estimating, by the water content calculator, a water content of the fuel cell stack based on the calculated current heat capacity of the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell unit; first and second supply systems; a switching device; a switching control unit; an open circuit voltage obtaining unit; and a supply system control unit.

Abstract: A system regulating pressure of a reactor for hightemperature electrolysis or co-electrolysis (HTE) or to an SOFC fuel-cell stack operating under pressure. The operation of the system includes: regulating upstream of one of the chambers, a flow rate of moisture-containing gas DH to guarantee electrochemical stability of a preset operating point; and controlling pressure by virtue of valves arranged downstream of the stack, for regulating gases including the moisture-containing gas, and which are generally hot.

Abstract: A fuel cell system has a battery, a gas supply portion, a temperature acquisition portion configured to acquire a presumed temperature that is presumed to reach during the operation stop of the fuel cell; and a scavenging controlling portion. When it is determined that the presumed temperature is a predetermined temperature or more at the time of the operation stop of the fuel cell, the scavenging controlling portion performs the stop-time scavenging operation with a first scavenging ability; and when it is determined that the presumed temperature is less than the predetermined temperature, the scavenging controlling portion performs the stop-time scavenging operation with a second scavenging ability higher than the first scavenging ability.

Abstract: A system for maintaining insulation resistance of a fuel cell includes a fuel cell stack, a coolant line that allows coolant to pass through the fuel cell stack, a circulation pump that circulates the coolant in the coolant line, a deionizer that removes impurities or ions from the coolant in the coolant line, and a controller configured to measure the insulation resistance of a high-voltage terminal connected to the fuel cell stack, to determine whether recovery control is necessary based on the measured insulation resistance, and upon determining that recovery control is necessary, to control the circulation pump so as to change the flow of the coolant passing through the deionizer.

Abstract: The inspection method for a fuel cell stack including a plurality of unit cells comprises: (a) operating a fuel cell system, including the fuel cell stack and an anode gas circulation flow path that is connected between an anode gas discharge port and an anode gas supply port of the fuel cell stack to circulate anode gas, under a predetermined liquid water accumulation condition to accumulate liquid water in the anode gas circulation flow path; (b) causing, after the step (a), the fuel cell system to stop and stand by until a predetermined restarting condition is satisfied; and (c) restarting, after the step (b), the fuel cell system to implement power generation by the fuel cell stack, and measuring voltage of each of the unit cells to detect a unit cell having negative voltage.

Abstract: A processing method for a fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack configured to generate electric power when supplied with an anode gas and a cathode gas is started in a state in which the fuel cell stack is not supplied with the anode gas and the cathode gas and generation of electric power in the fuel cell stack is stopped. The processing method includes: a first process of starting supply of the cathode gas; a second process of starting supply of an inert gas to an anode when a voltage of the fuel cell stack increases and then becomes equal to or less than a predetermined first voltage; and a third process of stopping the supply of the inert gas when the voltage of the fuel cell stack increases and then becomes equal to or less than a predetermined second voltage after the second process.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell stacks, a power generation control unit that controls power generation of the plurality of fuel cell stacks based on a required power for the plurality of fuel cell stacks, and a refreshing control unit configured to perform a refreshing process of decreasing a voltage on the plurality of fuel cell stacks. The refreshing control unit performs the refreshing process on the first fuel cell stack when the required power changes from a state in which the required power is less than a first predetermined value to a state in which the required power is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value and when the required power is in a range which is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value and less than the second threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for isolating a fuel cell, which make it possible to safely work on the fuel cell during a servicing or repair operation.

Abstract: A resin film equipped MEA of a power generation cell includes a membrane electrode assembly and a resin film. An inner peripheral end of a first frame shaped sheet of the resin film is positioned outside an outer peripheral end of a cathode, and faces the outer peripheral end of the cathode so as to be separated by a gap. An inner peripheral portion of a second frame shaped sheet is held between the anode and the cathode. A first metal separator facing the first frame shaped sheet is provided with protruding support structure configured to support an inner peripheral portion of the first frame shaped sheet and an outer peripheral portion of the cathode.

Abstract: Various embodiments manage a fuel cell IT grid system to maintain fuel cell temperatures above a threshold temperature. The system may include power modules each including a fuel cell, DC/DC converters each connected to a power module, a DC power bus connected to the DC/DC, IT loads each connected to the DC power bus, a load balancing load connected to the DC power bus, and a control device connected to a first power module. The control device may determine whether a temperature of the first power module exceeds the temperature threshold, determine whether an electrical power output of the power modules exceeds an electrical power demand of the IT loads in response to the temperature exceeding the temperature threshold, and direct excess electrical power output to the load balancing load in response to the electrical power output exceeding the electrical power demand.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; a supply device; and a control unit configured to lower output voltage of the fuel cell to a target value so as to execute recovery processing to recover power generation performance of the fuel cell. In a case of having an execution request of the recovery processing, the control unit restarts power generation of the fuel cell when open circuit voltage of the fuel cell is lowered to or smaller than a threshold value higher than the target value by controlling a flow rate of a cathode gas while the power generation of the fuel cell is paused, and the control unit executes the recovery processing while controlling an output current value of the fuel cell to be smaller than an idle current value that is an output current value of the fuel cell in an idle operation state.

Abstract: The invention relates to isotope separation methods, and methods for separating isotopes with low energy consumption, demonstrated using hydrogen isotopes. Also described are methods for enriching or depleting the isotope present in the hydrogen gas/vapour feed e.g. for tritium removal, tritium enrichment and deuterium enrichment, by arranging a series of cells in a cascaded configuration.

Abstract: A method of controlling ignition of a vehicle having a fuel cell system is provided. In particular, the method includes a step of determining an idling state of the vehicle, a step of determining whether to enable a fuel cell on/off mode, a step of determining a degree of water balance of a fuel cell stack, and a step of turning off a vehicle's ignition switch. More specifically, a fuel cell system controller determines whether to enable a fuel-cell on/off mode based on a coolant temperature of the fuel cell system once the idling state is determined, and also determines a degree of water balance of a fuel cell stack of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system controller turns off the vehicle's ignition switch, when a predetermined time passes, based on the degree of water balance.

Abstract: An illustrative example fuel cell cooler plate includes a first side configured to be received adjacent a fuel cell component and a second side facing opposite the first side. The first side defines a first surface area of the plate. An edge is transverse to the first side and the second side. The edge has a surface area that is less than the first surface area. A first coolant passage within the plate is closer to the second side than the first side. A second coolant passage is between the first side and the first coolant passage. The second coolant passage is in a heat exchange relationship with the first coolant passage.

Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus controlling a water flooding failure in a fuel cell dual-stack system. The method includes: acquiring a hydrogen pressure drop reference value of the stack system in each normal working condition to obtain a control value; collecting a current pressure drop at a hydrogen side, and determining whether the current pressure drop at the hydrogen side is higher than the control value corresponding to a current normal working condition; determining a faulted stack according to voltages or currents of the first stack and the second stack if the current pressure drop at the hydrogen side is higher than the control value corresponding to the current normal working condition; reducing an opening degree of a flow regulating valve of the faulted stack, and increasing an opening degree of a flow regulating valve of the other stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell system installed in a mobile body comprises; a fuel cell; a gas supply flow path; an injection device provided on the gas supply flow path; a pressure regulating valve configured to be provided more on an upstream side than the injection device on the gas supply flow path, and to autonomously perform an opening/closing operation in accordance with a difference between pressure between the pressure regulating valve and the injection device on the gas supply flow path and pressure on an upstream side of the pressure regulating valve; and a control unit configured to control injection of the reaction gas by the injection device. The control unit calculates an injection interval of the injection device based on an upper limit operation count of the pressure regulating valve set in advance with respect to a predetermined traveling distance of the mobile body.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; an air discharge passage configured to discharge an air exhaust gas from the fuel cell; a back pressure adjusting valve provided in the air discharge passage and configured to adjust pressure of the air exhaust gas; a cooling device configured to cool the fuel cell by carrying out heat exchange using a heat medium; a water reservoir storing water; a high pressure introduction passage connecting an upstream side of the air discharge passage which is more upstream than the back pressure adjusting valve in an air flow direction to the water reservoir; and a sprinkling device configured to sprinkle the water of the water reservoir over the cooling device. The sprinkling device is configured to sprinkle the water of the water reservoir pumped by pressure of the air exhaust gas over the cooling device.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell stack of fuel cells that generate electricity by electrochemical reaction between hydrogen that is a fuel gas and oxygen that is an oxidant gas; an expander that is provided on a supply path of the fuel gas to the fuel cell stack, and at which, due to the fuel gas that is in a high-pressure state being supplied thereto, the fuel gas is expanded and the pressure thereof is reduced, and, due to the fuel gas being expanded and the pressure thereof being reduced, internal energy of the fuel gas is converted into mechanical energy; and a heating device that is provided further toward an upstream side of the supply path than the expander, and that heats the fuel gas.

Abstract: In embodiments, an apparatus includes a burst current monitor, to detect a burst of input current drawn by a SSD from a host above a pre-defined burst threshold, and control logic coupled to the burst current monitor. The control logic, in response to the detection by the burst current monitor of the input current above the burst threshold, causes a capacitor of the SSD to supply an assistance current to the SSD, to reduce the input current drawn by the SSD. In embodiments, the capacitor is a hold-up capacitor disposed in a PLI circuit of the SSD, and the apparatus is integrated within a hold-up control logic sub-circuit of the PLI circuit.

Abstract: A method of estimating hydrogen crossover loss of a fuel cell system including a stack for producing power through a reaction of hydrogen serving as fuel and air serving as an oxidizer includes driving the fuel cell system; estimating a hydrogen crossover rate right after a channel of an anode is purged; determining whether a cell voltage of a fuel cell is normal; and comparing the estimated hydrogen crossover rate with a predetermined reference value based on a result of the determining of whether the cell voltage of the fuel cell is normal to determine whether a pinhole or leakage occurs. Accordingly, whether a pinhole or leakage occurs in the fuel cell system may be more effectively sensed.

Abstract: A fuel cell power and control system may comprise a fuel cell stack configured to generate electric power, a fuel carrier for the fuel cell stack, at least one temperature control element in thermal communication with the fuel carrier, and an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to regulate electric current supplied to the temperature control element to control a rate at which a fuel is released from the fuel carrier. In various embodiments, the system further comprises an energy storage device configured to receive the electric power from the fuel cell stack. In various embodiments, the ECU is configured to vary the electric current supplied to the temperature control element in response to the voltage across the energy storage device varying.

Abstract: Methods for measuring and controlling the methanol concentration in a methanol fuel cell such as a direct methanol fuel cell or fuel cell stack are disclosed. Processors and memory storage containing programs which execute instructions to control the methanol concentration in the fuel cell or fuel cell stack are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a first plurality of fuel cells having a cathode and an anode. The plurality of fuel cells is configured to produce electrical power having a current and a voltage output. The plurality of fuel cells includes a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate. A shunt is electrically connected to the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate for shunting voltage output between the cathode and the anode. The shunt is mounted to, and supported by, the plurality of fuel cells. The shunt is connected to a control mechanism to control a shorting of one or more fuel cells of the plurality of fuel cells. The control mechanism is mounted to, and supported by, the plurality of fuel cells.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell including an anode gas flow channel and a cathode gas flow channel and generating electricity from a hydrogen-containing anode gas of the anode gas flow channel and an oxygen-containing cathode gas of the cathode gas flow channel; an anode off-gas emission path through which an anode off-gas emitted from the anode gas flow channel flows; and a cathode off-gas emission path through which a cathode off-gas emitted from the cathode gas flow channel flows. After stoppage of generation of electricity by the fuel cell, gas purging is performed in which at least a part of the cathode off-gas emission path is purged with a hydrogen-containing gas having passed through a junction where the anode off-gas emission path and the cathode off-gas emission path meet each other. The hydrogen-containing gas contains at least either the anode gas or the anode off-gas.

Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system including: a fuel cell; a tank that stores a fuel gas; a supply passage through which the fuel gas is supplied from the tank to the fuel cell; a first valve and a second valve that open and close the supply passage and are provided in order of the first valve, the second valve in a direction from an upstream side toward a downstream side; a pressure sensor that detects a pressure in a detection target region that is a region of the supply passage between the first valve and the second valve; a heating unit that heats the pressure sensor; and a controller that makes the heating unit heat the pressure sensor in a state in which a detection value of the pressure sensor is not larger than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A fuel cell system FCS includes a fuel cell 10, a high voltage circuit 21 for driving an electromotor 42, and a relay 41 for electrically connecting or blocking the fuel cell 10 to or from the high voltage circuit 21. A control unit 50 obtains insulation decrease information in accordance with a request for starting the fuel cell, and performs, when a specified insulation decrease occurred region is not a fuel cell region SE1 including the fuel cell and the cooling circuit, conductivity reduction process on cooling liquid using a conductivity reduction unit 113 before having a relay 41 connect, and has the relay 41 connect after completing the conductivity reduction process.

Abstract: A humidifier for a fuel cell enables moisture exchange between supply air supplied from an air compressor and exhaust air discharged from the fuel cell. In particular, the humidifier of the fuel cell may include: i) a housing main body; ii) a humidification membrane module that is provided in the housing main body; and iii) a bypass unit that is provided in the housing main body to selectively bypass the supply air supplied from the air compressor and the exhaust air discharged from the fuel cell.

Abstract: A selector is to choose a target facility from the at least one facility based on a supplier position and a quantity of the energy suppliable. A distance calculator is to calculate a vehicle-facility distance from a current position to a facility position of a target energy supplier. A drivable range calculator is to calculate a drivable range of a vehicle based on a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage. A determining device is to determine whether or not to permit a power supplier to supply an electrical energy to an external device based on the vehicle-facility distance and the drivable range to control electricity supply from the power supplier to the external device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flow battery systems including a flow battery and an electrolyte rebalancing system. In accordance with certain embodiments, the electrolytes used in the systems of the present invention are aqueous, and in one embodiment, bromine species are used as redox-active species.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fuel cell system is a method for controlling a fuel cell system including a solid oxide fuel cell which generates a power upon receiving supplies of an anode gas and a cathode gas. The method for controlling the fuel cell system includes; as a stop control of the fuel cell, stopping a supply of the anode gas while continuing a supply of the cathode gas to the fuel cell, and shutting off a discharge side of an anode of the fuel cell; and carrying out an additional control to supply the anode gas to the fuel cell during the stop control and/or an additional control to decrease the flow rate of the cathode gas during the stop control.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that has a fuel cell stack is provided. The system includes an electrolyte membrane, and a cathode and an anode that are a pair of electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the electrolyte membrane. A controller applies voltages to the cathode and the anode of the fuel cell stack before hydrogen that operates the fuel cell stack is supplied to the anode. When the voltages are applied to the cathode and the anode, hydrogen that resides in the cathode flows to the anode through the electrolyte membrane to decrease the concentration of the hydrogen in the cathode. The fuel cell system reduces the concentration of hydrogen discharged to the outside of the vehicle by reducing the concentration of hydrogen in the cathode before driving of the fuel cell is initiated.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell; a reactive gas supply mechanism configured to supply a reactive gas to the fuel cell; a discharge flow path configured to discharge an off-gas and water discharged from the fuel cell; a valve provided in the discharge flow path; a remaining water purging controller configured to control a remaining water purging process of the fuel cell by using the reactive gas supply mechanism and the valve; a heating portion configured to heat the valve; and a failure detector configured to detect a failure of the heating portion. When a failure of the heating portion is detected, the remaining water purging controller performs the remaining water purging process and increases a water discharge power in the remaining water purging process than a water discharge power in the remaining water purging process performed when no failure of the heating portion is detected.