A method and apparatus for the operation of a fuel cell system to avoid the freezing
of water resident in one or more fuel cells during periods of system inactivity.
Each fuel cell includes at least an anode, a cathode and a membrane configured
to establish electrolyte communication between reaction products formed at the
anode and cathode. During fuel cell system operation, a portion of the water formed
remains within the fuel cell; to avoid having the water freeze and inhibit subsequent
system operation, a chemical compound introduced into the fuel cells mixes with
the water still resident within the fuel cell to lower the temperature upon which
the onset of water freezing occurs. The chemical compound can be introduced alone
under pressure in the vapour phase, or in combination with the fuel, the incoming
oxygen or an inert gas. In addition, system is configured such that the chemical
compound can be introduced at numerous different locations.
