Procedure for shutting down a fuel cell system having an anode exhaust recycle loop

摘要: A procedure for starting up a fuel cell system that is disconnected from its primary load and has air in both cathode anode flow fields includes a) connecting an auxiliary resistive across the to reduce voltage; b) initiating recirculation of field exhaust through recycle loop providing limited hydrogen into recirculating exhaust; c) catalytically reacting added with oxygen present gases until substantially no remains within loop; disconnecting load; then d) normal operating rates respective cell. The catalytic reaction may take place on or burner disposed loop. allows start-up without use inert gas purge while minimizing dissolution catalyst corrosion support during process.