Method for cooling oxygen sensitive components

摘要

A system and method for cooling oxygen sensitive components in a fuel cell system comprising supplying air to an air purification device during cool down of a fuel cell system comprising at least one fuel cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte disposed between the anode and cathode; treating the air within the air purification device to produce a flow of nitrogen gas and a waste stream comprising oxygen enriched air; directing a flow of the nitrogen gas through the anode; the anode being in fluid communication with the air purification device and isolated from the fuel reformer and anode exhaust during cool down; the flow of nitrogen gas being directed through the anode in an amount sufficient to balance pressure within the fuel cell cathode and anode during cool down.