Start-up method for fuel cell

A start-up method for a fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell that carries out power generation by the electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and the oxygen gas in the air;

• a fuel gas discharge path and a fuel gas supply path that are connected to the fuel cell;
• a fuel gas circulation path that connects the fuel gas discharge path to the fuel gas supply path;
• and a purge valve provided on the fuel gas circulation path in order to discharge the circulating fuel gas from the fuel gas circulation path, the method comprising the steps of:
• starting the supply of the fuel gas to the fuel cell;
• opening the purge valve after the start of the supplying of the fuel gas;
• and
• closing the purge valve depending on concentration of the fuel gas included in the discharge gas from the fuel gas circulation path.

A start-up method for a fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell that carries out power generation by the electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and the oxygen gas in the air;

• a fuel gas discharge path and a fuel gas supply path that are connected to the fuel cell;
• a fuel gas circulation path that connects the fuel gas discharge path to the fuel gas supply path;
• and a purge valve provided on the fuel gas circulation path in order to discharge the circulating fuel gas from the fuel gas circulation path, the method comprising the steps of:
• supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell;
• measuring the pressure in the fuel gas circulation path while the supplying of the fuel gas is in progress;
• and
• setting an opening start timing of the purge valve depending on the measured value of the pressure.

A start-up method for a fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell that carries out power generation by the electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and the oxygen gas in the air;

• a fuel gas discharge path and a fuel gas supply path that are connected to the fuel cell;
• a fuel gas circulation path that connects the fuel gas discharge path to the fuel gas supply path;
• and a purge valve provided on the fuel gas circulation path in order to discharge the circulating fuel gas from the fuel gas circulation path, the method comprising the steps of:
• supplying the fuel gas to the fuel cell;
• measuring the pressure in the fuel gas circulation path while the supplying of the fuel cell is in progress;
• determining whether the measured value of the pressure is equal to or greater than a predetermined value;
• and
• opening the purge valve when the measured value of the pressure becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

A start-up method for a fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell that carries out power generation by the electrochemical reaction between a fuel gas and the oxygen gas in the air;

• a fuel gas discharge path and a fuel gas supply path that are connected to the fuel cell;
• a fuel gas circulation path that connects the fuel gas discharge path to the fuel gas supply path;
• and a purge valve provided on the fuel gas circulation path in order to discharge the circulating fuel gas from the fuel gas circulation path, the method comprising the step of:
• setting the timing of the opening and closing of the purge valve depending on the estimated duration of the fuel cell stoppage.