FREEZE TOLERANT FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A freeze tolerant fuel cell system and method of operating the freeze tolera nt 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 havi ng a sufficiently low freezing point through the coolant loop [25]. A method fo r startup and shutdown of the freeze tolerant fuel cell system is also disclos ed.