Fuel cell system

A fuel cell system comprising:

• one or more fuel cells each having an anode, a cathode and a proton exchange electrolyte membrane interposed between said anode and said cathode;
• first gas supplying means for supplying a first gas including fuel gas to said anode;
• second gas supplying means for supplying a second gas including oxygen to said cathode;
• liquid water supplying means for supplying water in liquid state onto a surface of said cathode;
• control means for controlling start-up of said system so that said liquid water supplying means supplies water onto the surface of said cathode in the liquid state before start of supply of said first gas to said anode.

A fuel cell system comprising:

• one or more fuel cells each having an anode, a cathode and a proton exchange electrolyte membrane interposed between said anode and said cathode;
• first gas supplying means for supplying a first gas including fuel gas to said anode;
• second gas supplying means for supplying a second gas including oxygen to said cathode;
• liquid water supplying means for supplying liquid water onto a surface of said cathode;
• a water tank for holding water for use by said liquid water supplying means;
• sensor means for detecting water level in said water tank;
• and
• first control means for controlling start-up operation of said first gas supplying means and said liquid water supplying means so that water is supplied onto the surface of said cathode in the liquid state before start of supply of said first gas to said anode;
• and
• second control means for discontinuing start-up operation of said first gas supplying means responsive to detection of water level below a predetermined minimum level.