FREEZE TOLERANT FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A freeze tolerant fuel cell system and method of operating the freeze tolerant fuel cell system is disclosed. The freeze tolerant fuel cell system is realized by separating the coolant loop [25] from the active membrane [12] through the use of gaskets [20, 21] interposed between the collector cell plates [18, 19]. A method of operating the freeze tolerant fuel cell system is disclosed which comprises flowing a coolant fluid other than pure water having a sufficiently low freezing point through the coolant loop [25]. A method for startup and shutdown of the freeze tolerant fuel cell system is also disclosed.