| abstract |
A fuel cell system and method that enables warm-up power generation corresponding to the residual water volume in the fuel cell stack without using auxiliary devices for measuring the residual water volume in the fuel cell stack. A controller computes total generated electrical energy Q by integrating of the generated current detected by current sensor during the period from start-up to shutting down of the fuel cell system, and stores the result in total generated electrical energy storage part. Also, controller measures fuel cell temperature Ts at the last shutting down cycle with temperature sensor, and stores it in power generation shutting down temperature storage part. When the fuel cell system is started, controller estimates residual water volume WR that remains in fuel cell stack 2 on the basis of fuel cell temperature Ts when power generation is shut down, total generated electrical energy Q, and fuel cell start-up temperature Tn, and sets the generated electrical power for warm-up at start-up on the basis of said residual water volume Wr. |