Fuel cell operating method has contact surface between catalyzer and carrier fluid for release of oxygen and hydrogen regulated in dependence on required fuel cell output

摘要

The operating method has a fuel cell (1) with a polymer electrolyte membrane supplied on opposite sides with hydrogen and oxygen as the reaction gases, the hydrogen and oxygen released from a carrier fluid (9) via a catalyzer (11). The area of the contact surface (13) between the catalyzer and the carrier fluid is regulated automatically in dependence on the required output of the fuel cell. An Independent claim for a fuel cell device for providing electrical energy by the cold oxidation of hydrogen with oxygen is also included.