Fuel cell system and managing method thereof

A fuel cell system comprising:

• a stack formed of a plurality of cells in which electricity is generated using hydrogen;
• a fuel processing unit that processes a hydrocarbon from a fuel source to generate hydrogen to be supplied to the stack;
• a process burner that operates with hydrogen that is not consumed by the stack or with a hydrocarbon from the fuel source and that generates a process burner discharge gas;
• a plurality of cooling separators installed between the cells in the stack, wherein each cooling separator comprises a metal thin plate having a first flow path and a second flow path formed in a complementary pattern on first and second opposing surfaces, respectively, and wherein the first surface of the metal thin plate includes a catalyst coated thereon that catalyzes combustion of hydrogen;
• a cooling water circulating unit including a main cooling water line that circulates cooling water to the second flow path of the cooling separators to reduce the temperature of the stack;
• a combustion heat temperature raising unit that raises the temperature of the stack by passing hydrogen supplied from the fuel processing unit through the first flow path of the cooling separator, wherein the hydrogen contacts the catalyst;
• and
• a cooling water temperature raising unit that raises the temperature of the stack by heating cooling water by heat exchange with the process burner discharge gas and passing the heated cooling water through the flow path on the second surface of the cooling separators.

A method of managing a fuel cell system, the method comprising:

• providing a stack in which cooling separators are formed between cells in the stack, wherein each cooling separator is formed of a metal thin plate having a first flow path and a second flow path formed in a complementary pattern on first and second opposing surfaces, respectively, of the metal thin plate;
• rapidly raising the temperature of the stack during a start up operation of the fuel cell system by passing discharge gas of a process burner through the first flow path formed on the first surface of the cooling separators and passing heated cooling water, heated by heat exchange with discharge gas of a process burner, through the second flow path formed on the second surfaces of the cooling separators;
• and
• stopping the passing of the discharge gas through the first flow path formed on the first surface of the cooling separators and the passing of the heated cooling water through the second flow path formed on the second surfaces of the cooling separators when the internal temperature of the stack reaches a predetermined temperature.

A method of managing a fuel cell system, the method comprising:

• providing a stack in which cooling separators are formed between cells in the stack, wherein each cooling separator is formed of a metal thin plate having a first flow path and a second flow path formed in a complementary pattern on first and second opposing surfaces, respectively, of the metal thin plate and wherein the first surface of the metal thin plate includes a catalyst coated thereon that catalyzes combustion of hydrogen;
• rapidly raising the temperature of the stack during a start up operation of the fuel cell system by passing hydrogen through the first flow path on the first surface of the cooling separators, whereby the hydrogen combusts to generate heat and by e passing heated cooling water, heated by heat exchange with discharge gas of a process burner, through the second flow path formed on a second surface of the cooling separators;
• and
• stopping the passing of the hydrogen through the first flow path on the first surface of the cooling separators and the passing of the heated cooling water through the second flow path formed on a second surface of the cooling separators when the temperature of the stack reaches a predetermined temperature.