Abstract: An electrochemical cell system is provided having: at least one electrochemical cell stack, each stack having at least one reactant fluid inlet; a pressure transmitter arranged in the at least one reactant fluid inlet of each stack; and a control unit for regulating the electrochemical cell system, the control unit receiving at least one signal value from the pressure transmitter indicative of the reactant fluid pressure. The control unit may compare the at least one signal value with a stored values and generate a leak indication based on the rate of pressure decay within the electrochemical cell system. A method of detecting and indicating a leak is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for operating a fuel cell system (1) having a recirculation blower (11) disposed in a fuel circuit of the fuel cell system (1) by means of which the fuel (BS) exiting the fuel cell system (1) on the anode side is resupplied, said blower being driven by an air-driven drive turbine (12), wherein the air-driven drive turbine (12) is impacted by compressed air (vL).

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, a pipe forming a fuel supply passage through which a fuel gas supplied from a fuel supply source flows to the fuel cell, an on/off valve which regulates a gas state on the upstream side of the fuel supply passage to supply the gas to the downstream side, and control means for controlling the opening/closing operation of the on/off valve. The control means sets a required time from the opening time of the on/off valve to the closing time of the valve so that the vibration level of the pipe on the upstream side of the on/off valve is a predetermined reference level or less.

Abstract: A method of operating a high temperature fuel cell system containing a plurality of fuel cell stacks includes operating one or more of the plurality of fuel cell stacks at a first output power while operating another one or more of the plurality of the fuel cell stacks at a second output power different from the first output power.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator of the present invention includes a reformer (16) for generating a hydrogen-containing gas through a reforming reaction using a raw material; a combustor (102a) for heating the reformer (16); a combustion air supplier (117) for supplying combustion air to the combustor (102a); and an abnormality detector (110a) for detecting an abnormality; and a controller (110) configured to control the combustion air supplier (117) such that the reformer (16) is cooled with a higher rate in an abnormal shut-down process executed after the abnormality detector (110a) detects the abnormality, than in a normal shut-down process.

Abstract: A system for bleeding the anode side of first and second split fuel cell stacks in a fuel cell system that employs anode flow-shifting, where each split stack includes a bleed valve. The system determines that one or both of the bleed valves is stuck in an open position if there is flow through an orifice and a bleed has not been commanded. A shut-off valve is then used to provide the bleed if the cathode exhaust gas is able to dilute the hydrogen in the bled anode exhaust gas. An outlet valve between the first and second split stacks is used to bleed the anode exhaust gas if the cathode exhaust gas is not significant enough to dilute the hydrogen in the anode exhaust gas. If the first or second bleed valve is stuck in the closed position, then the outlet valve is used to provide the bleed.

Abstract: A fuel cell system having a hydrogen supply path for supplying a hydrogen gas to a fuel cell, an injector which is provided in the hydrogen supply path and which regulates the pressure of the gas on the upstream side of the hydrogen supply path to inject the pressure-regulated hydrogen gas to the downstream side of the hydrogen supply path, and a surge tank 81 which is provided in the hydrogen supply path on the upstream side from the injector and which suppresses the fluctuation of the pressure of the gas in the hydrogen supply path.

Abstract: A control system for a direct alcohol fuel cell, comprising: a fuel tank; a fuel cell stack; a pump feeding the fuel in the fuel tank to the fuel cell stack; a switching mechanism connecting the pump selectively with the fuel and air in the fuel tank; and a control unit switching the switching mechanism to connect the pump with the air when stopping power generation of the fuel cell stack. When the generation of the fuel cell stack is stopped, feeding of the fuel to the fuel cell stack is stopped and the air is supplied to the fuel cell stack thereby pushing out the remaining fuel.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is disclosed in which the oxidative degradation of an anode of a fuel cell during an operation stop period is restrained. The fuel cell system (39) of the invention comprises a fuel cell (1) configured to generate electric power by use of hydrogen contained in a fuel gas supplied to an anode (1a) and oxygen contained in an oxidizing gas supplied to a cathode (1c); and a combustor (4) configured to combust flammable gas, and is formed such that after stopping the power generation, the flammable gas is introduced into and kept in the cathode (1c) and when discharging the flammable gas from the cathode (1c), the flammable gas is combusted by the combustor (4).

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack, a cell voltage monitor, a hydrogen tank, a hydrogen supply channel, an ejector, a hydrogen off-gas channel, a purge valve, a compressor, an air supply channel, a pressure control unit for controlling air pressure, a pilot pressure input channel branching off from the air supply channel and inputting the air pressure to the ejector as pilot pressure, and a control unit for controlling the purge valve and the pressure control unit. The ejector includes a pressure control mechanism which increases the ejector's secondary-side pressure by increasing the area of the nozzle's ejecting hole when the pilot pressure input from the pilot pressure input channel rises. When electricity generation status of the fuel cell stack is judged to be poor, the control unit opens the purge valve after raising the air pressure and the pilot pressure by using the pressure control unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring in-situ membrane fluid crossover are provided. One embodiment of a system for diagnosing in situ degradation of membranes in a fuel cell stack comprises an inert gas supply configured to be connected to the fuel cell stack to supply an inert gas to an anode side of the fuel cell stack during diagnosis and means for detecting an amount of crossover cathode gas in exhaust from the anode side of the fuel cell stack during diagnosis.

Abstract: Assemblies and methods for measuring in-situ membrane fluid crossover are provided. One embodiment of an in-situ fuel cell membrane crossover measurement assembly as disclosed herein comprises an anode fluid supply configured to supply anode fluid to an anode side of a proton exchange membrane; a cathode fluid supply configured to supply cathode fluid to a cathode side of the proton exchange membrane; a collection chamber configured to receive an exhaust from one of the anode side and the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane; and means for detecting a crossover fluid in the exhaust. The crossover fluid is from the cathode fluid if the exhaust is collected from the anode side and the crossover fluid is from the anode fluid if the exhaust is collected from the cathode side.

Abstract: A microbial fuel cell comprising a cathode module, an anode module, a means for feeding source water to the anode module, and a means for feeling air to the source water after said anode module, wherein the source water is introduced in the anode module and discharged at the cathode module, a membrane is not used to transfer electrons, and the source water does not flow through a layer between the cathode and anode modules, such as glass wool or beads.

Abstract: A cell unit of a mixed reactant fuel cell comprises a multiphase mixed reactant fluid distributor, an anode and cathode in fluid and electronic communication with the distributor, and a separator positioned relative to one of the anode and the cathode to provide electronic insulation and ionic communication between the cell unit and another adjacent cell unit. The distributor is electronically conductive and the reactant fluid which flows through the distributor has fuel and oxidant each in separate fluid phases, wherein at least one of the fuel and oxidant fluid phases is a liquid.

Abstract: A fuel cell system may include a cathode loop having an operating pressure during fuel cell system operation. The cathode loop may include a normally open mechanical check valve disposed at a water pooling location within the loop and having a cracking pressure approximately equal to the operating pressure.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell, a gas-liquid separator, a tank, an outlet pipe, and an inlet pipe is disclosed. The gas-liquid separator separates off-gas discharged from the fuel cell into water and gas. The tank is capable of containing water separated by the gas-liquid separator. The outlet pipe discharges gas, which is separated by the gas-liquid separator, from the gas-liquid separator. The outlet pipe has a venturi. The inlet pipe draws the water contained in the tank into the venturi. The water contained in the tank is drawn through the inlet pipe into the venturi to be atomized and discharged as atomized water from the outlet pipe.

Abstract: A fuel cell system which can encase a dilution device while keeping the height of a fuel cell case as low as possible by utilizing the lower space in the case effectively. A fuel cell system comprises a fuel cell stack generating power through an electrochemical reaction between a gas supplied to the anode side and a gas supplied to a cathode side, a dilution device for diluting an anode off gas discharged from the fuel cell stack with a cathode off gas and discharging the diluted gas, and a fuel cell case for encasing the fuel cell stack and the dilution device. In this fuel cell system, a lateral opening of the fuel cell case for passing an exhaust pipe extending to the exhaust downstream of the dilution device is arranged above the lowermost portion of the inner surface of the dilution device with respect to the gravitational direction.

Abstract: A method for controlling cathode air flow at system start-up by controlling a stack by-pass valve. The method includes determining a concentration of hydrogen in a cathode side of the fuel cell stack. The method also includes determining a volumetric flow rate through a cathode compressor, determining a volumetric flow rate through the cathode side and determining a fraction of volumetric flow rate through the cathode side to the total flow through the compressor. The method determines a modeled hydrogen outlet concentration from the fuel cell stack based on the volumetric flow rate through the compressor, the fraction of volumetric flow rate through the compressor to the total flow through the compressor and the concentration of hydrogen in the cathode side. The method uses a desired fraction of volumetric flow rate through the cathode side and the total flow through the compressor to determine the position of the by-pass valve.

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 present invention provides a method for controlling the amount of air supplied to a fuel cell, which can prevent flooding and membrane dry-out in a fuel cell stack and, at the same time, ensure optimal performance of the fuel cell stack and a humidifier by supplying an optimal amount of air to the fuel cell stack at each operation condition. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method for controlling the amount of air supplied to a fuel cell, the method including measuring the temperature and pressure of humidifier outlet (stack inlet) air, the temperature and pressure of stack outlet air, and the relative humidity of the humidifier outlet (stack inlet) air, and determining the stoichiometric ratio of air or the amount of air supplied to the stack based on the measurement results so as to adjust the relative humidity of the stack outlet air reach a target value.

Abstract: An air and coolant control system comprising: a heat source configured to receive air, generate heat, receive coolant, conduct the received coolant to a coolant outlet, and transfer the generated heat to the received coolant, thereby removing the generated heat from the heat source as the coolant is conducted out of the heat source; an air supply source configured to supply the air to the heat source; an air supply control system configured to adjust the supply of air from the air supply source to the heat source based on a dynamic feedback temperature characteristic from the heat source; a coolant supply source configured to supply the coolant to the heat source; and a coolant control system configured to adjust the flow rate of the coolant based on an estimated feed-forward heat source characteristic and to adjust the temperature of the coolant based on the dynamic feedback temperature characteristic.

Abstract: Even if a failure occurs in a bypass valve during low-efficiency power generation, the occurrence of an excessive stoichiometry ratio in a fuel cell can be prevented. An output from a pressure sensor or a current sensor is monitored by a control device, and when a failure associated with a closed-valve malfunction of the bypass valve occurs, the degree of opening of the pressure regulating valve is increased to increase an amount of cathode-off gas exhaust, and a revolution speed of an air compressor is reduced to an amount of air discharged by the air compressor, thereby preventing an excessive stoichiometry ratio in the fuel cell.

Abstract: A discharge port is located at a lower portion of the case of a gas-liquid separator. A discharge valve is located at the discharge port. A water retaining portion is located at the bottom of the case. The water retaining portion is located at a position lower than the discharge valve. An upward inclination surface is formed on the bottom of the water retaining portion. The upward inclination surface is inclined upward toward the discharge valve. A downward inclination surface is formed on the bottom of the water retaining portion. The downward inclination surface is inclined downward toward the upward inclination surface. A cover portion is located in an upper portion of the water retaining portion. The cover portion defines a gas passage in an upper portion of the water retaining portion. The gas passage is open at a portion closer to the inlet and connected to the discharge valve.

Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell module and a condenser apparatus. The condenser apparatus includes a first condenser using an oxygen-containing as a coolant, and a second condenser using hot water stored in a hot water tank as the coolant. Further, the fuel cell system includes a control device for controlling at least one of a flow rate of the exhaust gas supplied to the first condenser and a flow rate of the exhaust gas supplied to the second condenser based on at least any of a water level of the hot water in the hot water tank, a temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank, and a water level of the condensed water in the condenser apparatus.

Abstract: A method of operating a fuel cell system includes characterizing the fuel or fuels being provided into the fuel cell system, characterizing the oxidizing gas or gases being provided into the fuel cell system, and calculating at least one of the steam:carbon ratio, fuel utilization and oxidizing gas utilization based on the step of characterization.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for a vehicle includes a fuel cell arrangement that is coupleable to a vehicle drive as a primary load, and to a plurality of secondary loads. A control apparatus which controls the primary load and the secondary loads includes a monitoring circuit that is operable in a special operating mode of the fuel cell system, with the secondary loads being switched on and/or off as a manipulated variable in order to maintain the output voltage, as a reference variable, at a low voltage value that is formed by a cell voltage of the fuel cells of less than 0.45 V on average.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an intermittent failure of an injector that injects hydrogen gas fuel into the anode side of a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell system. The method includes operating the injector at a fixed injector pulse width and frequency, which causes the stack to generate a constant current, and therefore, a constant fuel consumption rate. While at a constant current, the injector is commanded to a constant duty cycle and frequency that matches the rate of fuel consumption in the fuel cell system. The resulting fuel pressure feedback is then monitored, and if it diverges from a defined nominal value, either in a constant or oscillatory manner, it can be determined that the injector has an intermittent opening failure. In one embodiment, the determination of the injector failure is performed during a shut-down sequence of the fuel cell system.

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

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for maintaining hydrogen-selective membranes during periods of inactivity. These systems and methods may include heating and maintaining at least the hydrogen-selective membrane of a hydrogen-producing fuel processing system in a thermally buffered state and/or controlling the chemical composition of the gas streams that may come into contact with the hydrogen-selective membrane. Controlling the chemical composition of the gas streams that may come into contact with the hydrogen-selective membrane may include maintaining a positive pressure of an inert, blanket, reducing, and/or non-oxidizing gas within the membrane separation assembly and/or periodically supplying a reducing gas stream to the membrane separation assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing anode reactant starvation. The system includes a hydrogen source, an anode bleed valve, and a cell voltage monitor. The system also includes an anode sub-system pressure sensor and a controller configured to control the anode sub-system. The controller determines the average cell voltage and estimates the hydrogen molar fraction and/or nitrogen molar fraction in the anode sub-system. The controller also receives measurement data from the cell voltage monitor and the pressure sensor, and determines whether there is a decrease in the minimum cell voltage in response to changes in the anode pressure. If the controller detects a decrease in the minimum cell voltage in response to changes in the anode pressure, the controller corrects for the decrease by increasing anode pressure and/or by decreasing the molar fraction of nitrogen in the anode sub-system.

Abstract: A stack (10) of fuel cells (11) is to be tested for tightness of the fuel cell membranes. For this purpose, a tracer gas is introduced into the fuel feed channel (15) of the stack (10). The fuel discharge channel (16) is either open or it is closed. A carrier gas is fed to the feed air channel. (17) and led through the exhaust air channel (18) to a gas sensor (28) where a determination is made whether the carrier gas contains amounts of tracer gas. A defective fuel cell (11) can be located by introducing a lance comprising a sniffing probe into the corresponding channel (18) and determining the position of the probe.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to efficiently harnessing the mechanical energy of actuators used for producing vibration alerts in portable electronic devices to control the flow of fuel and mix the fuel in devices with fuel cells. Example embodiments control the flow of fuel into a reaction area and/or mix fuel in a fuel storage area of a fuel cell assembly. Such fuel flow control and mixing may be performed passively whenever a vibration alert occurs, or may be performed actively in response to monitoring the status of the fuel cell assembly.

Abstract: A high-pressure fluid supply apparatus that avoids gas leakage due to a reduction in the performance of a seal member provided inside piping is provided. A high-pressure fluid supply apparatus is provided, the apparatus including: piping that supplies a fluid from a high-pressure fluid supply source to a fluid utilizing device via a first valve device and a second valve device; a seal member that is arranged at a pipe part between the first and second valve devices in order to maintain sealing property of the pipe part, the seal member being made of an elastic material; and a control unit that controls closing and opening of the first and second valve devices to be able to adjust a pressure variation rate of the fluid in the pipe part, wherein the control unit adjusts the pressure variation rate in accordance with a temperature of the seal member.

Abstract: A fuel cell is provided which can control an optimum fuel concentration according to an output without a sensor for measuring the fuel concentration. The fuel cell uses a liquid organic compound for fuel and includes a membrane-electrode assembly, a passage for allowing fuel or oxidant to flow, a fuel supply unit for supplying the fuel to the fuel cell and intermittently or periodically changing a rate of fuel supply, and a computation processor for measuring a signal of a voltage or an output of the fuel cell, computing the rate of the fuel supply and the signal, and correcting the rate of the fuel supply. In the fuel cell, the optimum fuel concentration can be easily controlled according to the output by periodically varying the fuel concentration from a reference fuel concentration, measuring a voltage or an output and a variation range of the voltage or the output, and then determining whether the reference fuel concentration is appropriate or not.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reversible solid oxide electrochemical cell that may operate in two modes: a discharge mode (power generation) and a charge mode (electrolytic fuel production). A thermal system that utilizes a SOFB and is inclusive of selection of operating conditions that may enable roundtrip efficiencies exceeding about 80% to be realized is disclosed. Based on leverage of existing solid oxide fuel cell technology, the system concept is applicable to energy storage applications on the kW to MW scale.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to module level redundancy for fuel cell systems. A monitoring component monitors a set of operational parameters for a fuel cell group. The fuel cell group includes a set of fuel cell units, each having a set of fuel cell stacks. The fuel cell stacks include a set of gas powered fuel cells that convert air and fuel into electricity using a chemical reaction. The monitoring component determines that the set of operational parameters do not satisfy a set of operational criteria, and, in response, a load balancing component adjusts the electrical output capacity of the set of fuel cell units included in the fuel cell group.

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.

Abstract: A flow field plate for use in a fuel cell includes a non-porous plate body having a flow field with a plurality of channels extending between a channel inlet end and a channel outlet end, a first flow distribution portion adjacent the channel inlet end for distributing a fluid to the plurality of channels, and a second flow distribution portion adjacent the channel outlet end for collecting the fluid from the plurality of channels. A first flow guide within the first flow distribution portion establishes a desired flow distribution to the plurality of channels, and a second flow guide within the second flow distribution portion establishes a desired flow distribution from the plurality of channels.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for reducing the consumption of safety gas in a fuel cell system having at least one fuel cell unit whose fuel cells include an anode side and a cathode side, as well as an electrolyte interposed therebetween. A supply is provided for supplying the anode with a safety gas, and an exhaust is provided for exhausting the fuel cell unit of a spent safety gas coming from the anode side. The method can adapt a specific percentage of the spent safety gas flow coming from the anode side of the fuel cells to be re-supplied into the anode side of the fuel cells.

Abstract: A multi-cell stack electrochemical device having an ion-permeable membrane separating positive and negative current collectors. A plurality of actuating devices configured to inject an electroactive composition into multiple zones within an electrochemical cell. The actuating devices are configured to apply direct pressure to internally contained electroactive composition to displace depleted electroactive material contained within an electrochemical cell. Gravity or mechanical means are used to operate the actuating device to displace electroactive composition that is internally housed.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the speed of a compressor that provides air to the cathode side of a fuel cell stack in the event that a cathode by-pass valve fails. If a by-pass valve failure is detected, a failure algorithm first disengages the normal flow and pressure algorithms used to control the airflow to the cathode side of the stack. Next, the failure algorithm opens the cathode exhaust gas valve to its fully opened position. Then, in response to a stack power request, the compressor control will be put in an open-loop control where a look-up table is used to provide a particular compressor speed for a power request. An airflow meter will measure the airflow to the stack, and the stack current will be limited based on that airflow.

Abstract: A system for determining the concentration of hydrogen in an anode sub-system of a fuel cell system. The fuel cell system includes at least one fuel cell, an anode inlet, an anode outlet, an anode recirculation line, a source of hydrogen gas and an injector for injecting the hydrogen gas. First and second acoustic sensors are provided in the anode recirculation line and are spaced a known distance from each other. A controller that is responsive to the output signals from the first and second acoustic sensors determines the concentration of hydrogen gas in the anode recirculation line based on the time between when the controller receives the sensor signal from the first sensor and receives the sensor signal from the second sensor.

Abstract: A casing of a fuel cell system is divided into a module area, a fluid supply area, and an electric parts area. The fluid supply area is provided on a first side surface of the module area, and an electric parts area is provided on a second side surface of the module area. A fuel cell module and a combustor are provided in the module area.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a fuel cell comprising a cathode in a cathode region of the cell and an anode in an anode region of the cell, the cathode being separated from the anode by an ion selective polymer electrolyte membrane, the cathode region of the cell being supplied in use thereof with an oxidant and a liquid low molecular weight fuel wherein at least some of the liquid low molecular weight fuel in use crosses the polymer electrolyte membrane to supply the anode region of the cell with liquid low molecular weight fuel, the cell being provided with means for generating an electrical circuit between the cathode and the anode.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the activation of a fuel cell. An exemplary method comprises operating the fuel cell entirely or partially at least briefly in an electrolysis regimen during galvanic operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for use in transportation equipment, for example, can determine an abnormality in its fuel supply device without additional detectors being provided for abnormality detection. The fuel cell system is mounted on a motorbike, and includes a cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells, an aqueous solution pump arranged to supply aqueous methanol solution to the cell stack, a controller which includes a CPU, an inflow temperature sensor arranged to detect a temperature of aqueous methanol solution which is introduced to the cell stack, and an outflow temperature sensor arranged to detect a temperature of aqueous methanol solution discharged from the cell stack. The CPU obtains an inflow outflow temperature difference by calculating a difference between a detection result from the inflow temperature sensor and a detection result from the outflow temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method for refilling a hydrogen reservoir comprising a first hydrogen-storing material comprises establishing a fluid connection between the hydrogen reservoir and a cartridge containing a second hydrogen-storing material. The second hydrogen-storing material releases hydrogen at a pressure sufficient to charge the first hydrogen-storing material. Some embodiments involve heating the second hydrogen-storing material and/or allowing heat to flow between the first and second hydrogen-storing materials.

Abstract: A valve for a pressure vessel system includes a housing including a cavity and a hollow fluid flow portion. A membrane actuator is disposed in the cavity of the housing. A piston is disposed in the cavity and in the hollow fluid flow portion of the housing. A spring is disposed in the hollow fluid flow portion of the housing. The spring biases a piston head toward a fluid flow port formed in the hollow fluid flow portion. The piston head seals the fluid flow port when the biasing of the piston head by the spring is not countered by an opposite deflection of the membrane actuator.

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 including a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells, each of the fuel cells including an electrolyte membrane disposed between an anode and a cathode, an anode supply manifold in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, the anode supply manifold providing fluid communication between a source of hydrogen and the anodes, an anode exhaust manifold in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, and a fan in fluid communication with the anodes of the fuel cells, wherein the fan controls a flow of fluid through the anodes of the fuel cells after the fuel cell system is shutdown.