Patent ID: 7381487

Claim:
A method for use with an oxidizer assembly of a fuel cell system, the oxidizer assembly having an oxidizer unit for oxidizing anode exhaust gas containing electrolyte particulates in the oxidizer assembly, the method comprising: conditioning the oxidizer assembly so as to enable the electrolyte particulates to be removable from the oxidizer assembly, said conditioning includes said oxidizer assembly receiving a solvent for contacting said oxidizer unit so that the electrolyte particulates thereon are removable therefrom; and removing the electrolyte particulates, said removing includes draining said solvent and said removed electrolyte particulates from said oxidizer assembly; and adapting said fuel cell system so as to allow said conditioning and removing to occur with said oxidizer assembly retained in said fuel cell system; wherein said conditioning and removing occur with the oxidizing unit retained in said oxidizer assembly and with said oxidizer assembly retained in said fuel cell system; wherein said solvent is introduced in one of a liquid or vapor form; wherein said oxidizer assembly includes a mixer unit connected to and feeding the input of said oxidizer unit, said mixer unit receiving and mixing an oxidant gas and said anode exhaust gas and feeding said mixed gas to said input of said oxidizer unit, and wherein: said receiving of said solvent is through one of an opening in said mixer unit and an output of said oxidizer unit; said draining is through an opening in said mixer unit; and said adapting of said fuel cell system includes providing and operating a solvent supply, a valve assembly and drain so as to enable carrying out of said receiving and draining.