Method and system for improving the performance of a fuel cell

A method of improving the efficiency of an electrochemical fuel cell system of the type having a fuel supply for delivering a hydrogen rich fuel stream through a fuel supply conduit to a fuel cell stack, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an impurity sensor carried by said fuel supply conduit communicating with said fuel stream passing therein for detecting impurities in said fuel stream;
• detecting the presence of impurities in said fuel stream passing through said fuel supply conduit;
• monitoring said impurities in said fuel stream to determine an impurity level prior to said impurities entering said fuel cell;
• detecting a rise in said impurity level above a predetermined impurity level prior to said impurities entering said fuel cell;
• providing a heating mechanism disposed between said impurity sensor and said fuel cell communicating with said fuel supply conduit and said impurity sensor, wherein said heating mechanism is operative to generate heat in said fuel supply conduit for increasing the temperature of said fuel stream entering said fuel cell so that a normal operating temperature of said fuel cell is raised to an elevated operating temperature by heating of said fuel stream;
• and,
• activating said heating mechanism in response to detecting said rise in said impurity level to raise the temperature of said fuel cell stack to said elevated operating temperature before said impurities enter said fuel cell;
• whereby, raising said normal operating temperature of said fuel cell to said elevated operating temperature before said impurities enter said fuel cell resists binding of said impurities within said fuel cell to maintain efficient electricity production.