Fuel cell system and method for controlling stoppage of fuel cell system

A method for controlling stoppage of a fuel cell system for a vehicle, comprising:

• supplying a fuel to a fuel flow passage facing an anode of a fuel cell;
• supplying an oxidizer to an oxidizer flow passage facing a cathode of the fuel cell;
• measuring an anode potential of the anode;
• controlling discharge of electric current from the fuel cell as part of a process of stopping the fuel cell during idling of the vehicle;
• determining whether the fuel cell is permitted to discharge when receiving idle stop permission for the fuel cell;
• permitting the fuel cell to discharge when the anode potential is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value;
• and
• prohibiting the fuel cell from discharging when the anode potential is higher than the predetermined threshold value.

A fuel cell system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a fuel cell having an anode and a cathode;
• fuel supply means for supplying a fuel to a fuel flow passage facing the anode;
• oxidizer supply means for supplying an oxidizer to an oxidizer flow passage facing the cathode;
• anode potential measuring means for measuring an anode potential of the anode;
• and
• discharge controlling means for controlling discharge of electric current from the fuel cell as part of a process of stopping the fuel cell during idling of the vehicle,
• wherein, when receiving idle stop permission for the fuel cell, the discharge controlling means determines whether the fuel cell is permitted to discharge,
• wherein, when the anode potential measured by the anode potential measuring means is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value, the discharge controlling means permits the fuel cell to discharge, and
• wherein, when the anode potential measured by the anode potential measuring means is higher than the predetermined threshold value, the discharge controlling means does not permit the fuel cell to discharge.