GAS SYSTEM FOR A FUEL CELL STACK AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE GAS SYSTEM

摘要

Fuel cell stacks for mobile use, that is to say, in particular, as energy source for driving vehicles, have to be ready to start in all possible operating and environmental conditions. In order to ensure this, it is customary that, before a fuel cell stack is started, the energy for the driving operation of the vehicle is provided by an accumulator and at the same time the fuel cell stack is heated to operating temperature. This procedure appears to ensure that the fuel cell stack can be used even in unfavourable climate or meteorological conditions. As an alternative to this, a gas system (3) for a fuel cell stack (2) is proposed which comprises an anode region and a cathode region, having at least one valve apparatus (8, 9), wherein the valve apparatus (8, 9) is configured for discharging the anode gases or liquid, and wherein the valve apparatus (8, 9) comprises a solenoid for electromagnetic actuation, and having a control apparatus (11) which is configured to supply a switching current to the solenoid in order to switch the valve apparatus (8, 9), wherein the control device (11) is configured to supply a heating current to the magnet coil, which heating current does not switch the valve apparatus (8, 9).