FUEL CELL APPARATUS AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM

摘要

The present invention reduces deterioration in the output of a fuel cell caused by a high moisture concentration at an oxidant electrode. A control apparatus for a fuel cell comprising an electrolyte membrane, an oxidant electrode provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and a fuel electrode provided on the other side of the electrolyte membrane, in which electric power is generated from an oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant electrode and a fuel gas supplied to the fuel electrode, wherein when the current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell fall below a predetermined reference level, and the electrolyte membrane has not dried beyond a predetermined reference level, the control apparatus executes a control operation that increases the gas pressure at the oxidant electrode.

主权项

1. A method for controlling a fuel cell system comprising a fuel cell, which comprises an electrolyte membrane, an oxidant electrode provided on one side of the electrolyte membrane, and a fuel electrode provided on another side of the electrolyte membrane, in which electric power is generated from an oxidant gas supplied to the oxidant electrode and a fuel gas supplied to the fuel electrode, wherein
executing a control operation that increases a gas pressure at the oxidant electrode when current-voltage characteristics of the fuel cell fall below a predetermined reference level, and the electrolyte membrane has not dried beyond a predetermined reference level, and the control operation comprises executing a first control sequence that increases a gas pressure at the oxidant electrode following completion of a high-load operation during transition from the high-load operation to a low-load operation, and in a case where the first control sequence is unable to satisfactorily reduce deterioration in the current-voltage characteristics, the control operation comprises executing a second control sequence that increases a gas pressure at the oxidant electrode prior to starting a high-load operation during transition from the low-load operation to the high-load operation.