Method for shutting down a fuel cell and electrical system including a fuel cell

Abstract

Method for shutting down a fuel cell and electrical system comprising a fuel cell. The present invention relates to a method for shutting down a fuel cell, comprising a cooling phase (P1, P2) followed by a depolarization phase (P3). During the cooling phase, the cell is supplied with air, produces a current density (I1) lower than an idle current density (IR), the electrical power produced by the cell is converted into work by an electrical load, and a control circuit is activated to decrease the temperature (T) of the cell to a first predetermined value (T2).During the depolarization phase, the fuel cell's air supply is cut off, the fuel cell is connected to a dissipative system that dissipates the electrical power produced by the fuel cell, and the control circuit is activated to decrease the fuel cell temperature (T) from the first predetermined value to a second predetermined value (T3). Figure for the abstract: 4.