METHOD OF STARTING UP FUEL CELL STACKS FROM FREEZING TEMPERATURES

摘要

A method of commencing operation of an electrochemical fuel cell stack from temperatures below the freezing temperature of water, the method including: measuring at least one fuel cell characteristic representative of a fuel cell stack voltage; applying a load across the fuel cell stack so that the fuel cell stack voltage is maintained within a predetermined minimum fuel cell stack voltage range for a heating duration; determining a magnitude of the load upon expiry of the heating duration; and determining at least one of an operating parameter of the fuel cell stack and fuel cell system component based on the determined load.