FREEZE-PROTECTED FUEL CELL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROTECTING A FUEL CELL FROM FREEZING

摘要

A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell ( 1 ) having a water passage and passage for gas required for power generation, a first protection device ( 5, 10 ) which prevents freezing of water in the fuel cell by maintaining the temperature of the fuel cell ( 1 ), and a second protection device ( 11, 12 ) which prevents freezing of water in the fuel cell by discharging the water in the fuel cell ( 1 ). A controller ( 50 ) selects one of the first protection device ( 5, 10 ) and the second protection device ( 11, 12 ) as the protection device to be used when the fuel cell ( 1 ) has stopped, and the fuel cell ( 1 ) is protected from freezing of water by operating the selected protection device.