摘要 |
If subsequent to discontinuing generation by the fuel cell stack it is predicted that evolved water formed by electrochemical reaction of a fuel gas and an oxidant gas during generation may freeze in the membrane-electrode assembly provided to the fuel cell stack, low-level generation (temperature gradient formation control) is carried out until the temperature of the membrane-electrode assembly is relatively higher than the temperature of the separators. This temperature gradient formation control is carried out only for the time period necessary to produce a temperature gradient between the membrane-electrode assembly and the separators, and is quickly discontinued once a temperature gradient is created between the membrane-electrode assembly and the separators. Thus, in a fuel cell system equipped with a fuel cell, reduced energy efficiency of the fuel cell system may be avoided, and low temperature startup may be improved. |