Method of operating a fuel cell during a soak time period

Abstract

A method of operating a fuel cell including an anode and cathode during shutdown and soak time periods. The method includes closing a cathode inlet valve upstream of an inlet of the cathode to prevent air from entering the fuel cell through the cathode inlet; and maintaining an anode outlet valve downstream of an inlet of the anode in a closed state to prevent air from leaking into the fuel cell through the anode outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fuel cell system, comprising:
 a fuel cell having a cathode and an anode, the cathode having an inlet and an outlet;   at least one of a first valve and a second valve, the first valve being situated at and connected to the cathode inlet, the second valve being situated at and connected to the cathode outlet; and   a controller configured to control the first and second valves during a first operating condition and a second operating condition, the first operating condition being the transition of the fuel cell system from an operational state to a non-operational state, the second operating condition being the transition from a non-operational state to an operational state.