Patent ID: 8663861

Claim:
A method for controlling a fuel cell system comprising: a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode; a fuel supply unit for supplying a fuel to the anode; an oxidant supply unit for supplying an oxidant to the cathode; and a current sensor for detecting an output current of the fuel cell, the control method comprising the steps of: (a) setting the amount of fuel supplied to the fuel cell by the fuel supply unit to a second set value Qm 2 smaller than a first set value Qm 1 determined based on a load; (b) detecting an output current Ifcr of the fuel cell with the fuel supply amount set to the second set value Qm 2 ; (c) comparing the output current Ifcr with a reference value Iref for determining mild deterioration to determine whether the fuel cell has deteriorated; and (d) in the case of determining that the fuel cell has deteriorated, resetting the fuel supply amount to a third set value Qm 3 larger than the second set value Qm 2 .