Method and system for eliminating reverse current decay in fuel cells

A system for eliminating reverse current decay in fuel cells, comprising:

• a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode;
• a fuel feed system for supplying the anode of the fuel cell with fuel and comprising an anode fuel feed line for supplying the anode with fuel from the fuel feed system and a fuel return line for circulating unused fuel from the anode back to said fuel feed system;
• a bypass line fitted between said anode fuel feed line and said fuel return line in parallel and in flow connection with said anode system and capable of circulating fuel past the anode in a loop;
• an oxygen reduction unit included in said bypass line;
• a branch from said anode fuel feed line provided with a valve for feeding hydrogen to said bypass line and said oxygen reduction unit during a fuel cell shutdown;
• and
• a pressure unit for circulating gas in at least part of said anode system and said bypass line;
• wherein the bypass line is adapted to receive and circulate a flow of hydrogen during a fuel cell shutdown in order to mix the hydrogen with any oxygen present in the anode system, and to remove the oxygen from the anode system in said oxygen reduction unit by catalytic conversion.