Patent ID: 7691510
Filing Date: 2010-04-06
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell comprising an anode, a cathode, an inlet-side flow path leading to the anode, and an inlet-side flow path leading to the cathode; fuel gas supply means for supplying a fuel gas to the anode; oxidant gas supply means for supplying an oxidant gas to the cathode; inert gas supply means for supplying an inert gas to the anode and/or cathode; means for measuring a pressure Pa in the inlet-side flow path leading to the anode and a pressure Pc in the inlet-side flow path leading to the cathode; and a controller configured to: perform the purge operation for shutting down said fuel cell by: comparing the pressure Pa in the inlet-side flow path leading to the anode and the pressure Pc in the inlet-side flow path leading to the cathode; increasing in stages the flow rate of the inert gas supplied to one of the inlet-side flow paths, the one having a larger pressure; and then increasing in stages the flow rate of the inert gas supplied to the other one of the inlet-side flow paths, the one having a smaller pressure; and terminate the purge operation by: closing the communication between the inlet-side flow path having a smaller pressure and a flow path for supplying the inert gas; and then closing the communication between the inlet-side flow path having a larger pressure and the flow path for supplying the inert gas.