US 12,278,407 B2
Method for controlling fuel cell device
Yoshitsugu Sone, Chofu (JP); and Motohiko Sato, Sagamihara (JP)
Assigned to JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY, (JP)
Appl. No. 17/798,350
Filed by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Chofu (JP)
PCT Filed Dec. 22, 2020, PCT No. PCT/JP2020/047995
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Aug. 9, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/166429, PCT Pub. Date Aug. 26, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-024701 (JP), filed on Feb. 17, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0092461 A1, Mar. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. H01M 8/04302 (2016.01); H01M 8/04225 (2016.01); H01M 8/0438 (2016.01); H01M 8/04537 (2016.01); H01M 8/04746 (2016.01); H01M 8/04858 (2016.01)
CPC H01M 8/04302 (2016.02) [H01M 8/04225 (2016.02); H01M 8/0438 (2013.01); H01M 8/04537 (2013.01); H01M 8/04746 (2013.01); H01M 8/04858 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of activation controlling a fuel cell device in which an electrolyte membrane is inserted between a fuel electrode and an oxidant electrode, hydrogen is supplied to a hydrogen supply unit of the fuel electrode, a gas containing oxygen is supplied to a gas supply unit of the oxidant electrode so that power is generated, and a circulation passage capable of connecting a gas introduction passage of the gas supply unit to a gas discharge passage is provided, the method comprising:
a step of supplying hydrogen to the hydrogen supply unit;
a step of measuring a voltage between the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode and determining whether the voltage is equal to or greater than a reference voltage;
a determining step of determining that the hydrogen is normally supplied to the hydrogen supply unit when the voltage is equal to or greater than the reference voltage;
a step of discharging a gas containing oxygen from the gas supply unit to the outside while supplying the gas to the gas supply unit when it is determined that the hydrogen is normally supplied to the hydrogen supply unit in the determining step,
a step of increasing current density of the fuel cell device up to a predetermined value while performing conduction using external resistance after the step of discharging the gas from the gas supply unit to the outside, and the moisture mutually moves between the gas side and the hydrogen side via the electrolyte membrane;
a step of determining whether impedance between the fuel electrode and the oxidant electrode is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold after the step of supplying the gas containing oxygen to the gas supply unit; and
a step of connecting the gas introduction passage of the gas supply unit and the gas discharge passage via the circulation passage to form a circulation line and circulating the gas of the gas discharge passage to the gas introduction passage when the impedance is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold.