Patent ID: 8088529

Claim:
A fuel cell system comprising: a first split sub-stack; a second split sub-stack; a connection line connecting the first split sub-stack to the second split sub-stack; a drain valve provided in the connection line; a first bleed valve connected to an input line to the first split sub-stack; a second bleed valve connected to an input to the second split sub-stack; and a controller for controlling the first and second bleed valves and the drain valve for providing an anode side bleed from the first and second split sub-stacks, said controller determining whether the first or second bleed valve is blocked and determining whether the temperature of the first or second split sub-stack is below a predetermined temperature, said controller providing a normal anode side bleed using the first and second bleed valves if the first and second bleed valves are not blocked and the temperature of the first and second split sub-stacks is greater than the predetermined temperature, providing a continuous anode side bleed using the first and second bleed valves if the first and second bleed valves are not blocked and the temperature of the first and second split sub-stacks is less than the predetermined temperature, providing a normal center anode side bleed through the drain valve if the first or second bleed valve is blocked and the temperature of the first and second split sub-stacks is above the predetermined temperature and provides a continuous center anode side bleed through the drain valve if the first or second bleed valve is blocked and the temperature of the first and second split sub-stacks is below the predetermined temperature.