Method and apparatus for operating an electrochemical fuel cell with periodic reactant starvation

摘要: An electrochemical fuel cell is operated with periodic oxidant starvation. Periodic starvation conditions cause a change in the potential of starved electrode and may result removal electrocatalyst poisons improved performance. This technique have other beneficial effects at electrodes, including performance improvements due to water management or localized heating electrode. In preferred method, while successive portions are periodically reactant starved, remainder remains electrochemically active saturated such that able continue generate power.