Patent ID: 8163428

Claim:
A fuel cell system comprising: a. a reformer with a thermal starting device; b. at least one gas processing stage downstream of the reformer; c. at least one fuel cell disposed downstream of the at least one gas processing stage comprising: (i) a plurality of bipolar plates; (ii) an inner region of a reaction with an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte; and (iii) an outer region with at least one cooling channel permitting a coolant to flow through the cooling channel, the outer region not being in fluid connection with the inner region; d. a switching device provided upstream of the fuel cell, which is switchable between a start-up position, wherein in the start-up position product gases from the reformer are at least during a starting operation are guided through the outer region of the fuel cell so as to heat the fuel cell; and e. at least one operating position, wherein in the operating position the product gases from the reformer are guided to the inner region of the fuel cell.