摘要 |
A fuel cell power generating apparatus (1) using a fuel cell (10) having a structure such that a cathode (11) and an anode (13) are disposed on opposite sides of an electrolyte membrane (12) having an air supply passage (31) through which an atmospheric air is supplied to the cathode; a fuel gas supply passage (22) through which a fuel gas such as hydrogen gas is supplied to the anode; and a water spray nozzle (41) through which liquid water is injected onto the surface of the cathode. The sprayed water takes latent water from the air around the cathode, which is effective to prevent dehydration of the electrolyte membrane, as well as to cool the cathode which would otherwise be overheated to an excessive temperature when the fuel cell operates continuously over a long period of time. When starting operation of the apparatus, the nozzle is made operative to inject water onto the cathode before the fuel gas is first supplied to the anode to prevent the supplied fuel gas to react with oxygen in the air which might remain around the cathode. <IMAGE> |