Process for operating a PEM fuel cell installation

USRE38156E1 · kind E1 · reissue

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Karl Strasser · Erlangen, DE
• Willi Bette · Erlangen, DE
• Regina Hornung · Erlangen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 30, 2001
• Grant date: Jun 24, 2003
• Expiry date: Apr 30, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

A process for operating a PEM fuel cell installation includes providing at least one PEM fuel cell module having an inlet valve for hydrogen H2 and an inlet valve for oxygen O2. In order to switch off the PEM fuel cell module, the oxygen O2 inlet valve is closed in a first step, and the hydrogen H2 inlet valve is closed in a second step when a predetermined oxygen O2 partial pressure at a cathode part of the PEM fuel cell module is reached. Reliable operation of the PEM fuel cell installation is guaranteed by this measure.