Patent ID: 8415063
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A fuel cell system including: a fuel cell that is operable in a start-up mode and a power generation mode, wherein the power generation mode includes a set pressure for an anode gas and a set pressure for a cathode gas, an anode gas pressure adjusting device configured to adjust a pressure of the anode gas supplied to an anode electrode of the fuel cell, and a cathode gas pressure adjusting device configured to adjust a pressure of the cathode gas supplied to a cathode electrode of the fuel cell; the fuel cell system further comprising: a pressure control system programmed to: (i) when starting the fuel cell, increase the pressure of the anode gas to a first set pressure that is higher than the pressure of the anode gas that is supplied during power generation in the fuel cell, and simultaneous with or after starting to increase the anode gas pressure, increase the pressure of the cathode gas to the set pressure of the cathode gas that is supplied during power generation in the fuel cell, wherein the set pressure of the cathode gas is lower than the first set pressure of the anode gas; (ii) after the anode gas and the cathode gas have reached the respective set pressures, increase the pressure of the anode gas to a second set pressure that is higher than the first set pressure while maintaining the set pressure of the cathode gas; and (iii) after the anode gas has reached the second set pressure and when the fuel cell is in power generation mode, decrease the pressure of the anode gas.