Proton exchange membrane fuel cell system for providing electrical driving power for motor car, has proton exchange membrane fuel cells switched in series at anode-side, and valve device arranged on anode-side between fuel cells

摘要

The system (1) has two proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells (3, 4) that are switched in series at an anode-side, and a valve device (17) arranged on the anode-side between the fuel cells. One of the fuel cells has an anode circuit (8), where the valve device is provided as a valve for discharging gas from the anode circuit. The anode circuit comprises a shutoff valve in a flow direction between the valve device or branches to the valve device and unification from the recirculated gas with fresh fuel. The other fuel cell has approximately 1-20% of power rating of the former fuel cell. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for operating a fuel cell system (2) a method for starting a fuel cell system.