An inspection method of a fuel battery by using an electrical charge existing in a fuel battery stack includes a supplying step in which the electrical charge is supplied from an external power supply to the fuel battery stack.

An apparatus operation plan creation device according to an embodiment includes a power generation quantity predictor, a power demand predictor, a hot water demand predictor, an estimator, a decider, a calculator, and a plan creator. The power generation quantity predictor predicts a quantity of power generation. The power demand predictor predicts a quantity of power demand. The hot water demand predictor predicts a quantity of hot water demand. The estimator estimates a quantity of power generation by a fuel cell based on a predicted value of a quantity of hot water demand. The decider decides a quantity of power storage of a storage battery. The calculator calculates a power storage loss and a power purchase loss based on a predicted value of a quantity of power generation, a predicted value of a quantity of power demand, and a quantity of power storage of a storage battery, and calculates a deduction amount that is obtained by subtracting the sum of the power storage loss and the power purchase loss from a power sales profit that is based on the quantity of power generation. The plan creator creates a threshold value for defining a charging or discharge operation of the storage battery and a plan for an operation or stop operation of the fuel cell such that the deduction amount is increased.

An apparatus operation plan creation device according to an embodiment includes a power generation quantity predictor, a power demand predictor, a hot water demand predictor, an estimator, a decider, a calculator, and a plan creator. The power generation quantity predictor predicts a quantity of power generation. The power demand predictor predicts a quantity of power demand. The hot water demand predictor predicts a quantity of hot water demand. The estimator estimates a quantity of power generation by a fuel cell based on a predicted value of a quantity of hot water demand. The decider decides a quantity of power storage of a storage battery. The calculator calculates a power storage loss and a power purchase loss based on a predicted value of a quantity of power generation, a predicted value of a quantity of power demand, and a quantity of power storage of a storage battery, and calculates a deduction amount that is obtained by subtracting the sum of the power storage loss and the power purchase loss from a power sales profit that is based on the quantity of power generation. The plan creator creates a threshold value for defining a charging or discharge operation of the storage battery and a plan for an operation or stop operation of the fuel cell such that the deduction amount is increased.

A method for controlling startup of a fuel cell vehicle is provided. The method includes starting to adjust supply of hydrogen and air to a fuel cell and setting a control voltage of a side of a main bus end of a converter disposed between the main bus end and a high-voltage battery to a predetermined lowest control voltage. An output voltage of the side of the main bus end of the fuel cell and the control voltage of the side of the main bus end of the converter are then compared to adjust an amount of air supply to the fuel cell based on the comparison.

A method and apparatus for maintaining or establishing a readiness state in a fuel cell backup system of a nuclear reactor system are disclosed. A method includes maintaining a readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. Another method includes monitoring a nuclear reactor system characteristic and, responsive to the monitored nuclear reactor system characteristic, establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell system. An apparatus includes a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system and a fuel cell control system configured to maintain a readiness state of the fuel cell system. Another apparatus includes a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system, a nuclear reactor characteristic monitoring system, and a fuel cell control system configured to establish a readiness state of the fuel cell system.

A method and apparatus for maintaining or establishing a readiness state in a fuel cell backup system of a nuclear reactor system are disclosed. A method includes maintaining a readiness state of a fuel cell system within a set of readiness parameters, the readiness parameters a function of a characteristic of the nuclear reactor system. Another method includes monitoring a nuclear reactor system characteristic and, responsive to the monitored nuclear reactor system characteristic, establishing a readiness state of a fuel cell system. An apparatus includes a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system and a fuel cell control system configured to maintain a readiness state of the fuel cell system. Another apparatus includes a fuel cell system associated with a nuclear reactor system, a nuclear reactor characteristic monitoring system, and a fuel cell control system configured to establish a readiness state of the fuel cell system.

A method for characterizing the catalyst structure in a fuel cell, and in particular the transmission X-ray absorption measurements (XAS), in which a novel fuel cell design is used. The fuel cell comprises a first (planar) electrode having a first catalyst, a second (planar) electrode having a second catalyst, and an electrolyte membrane disposed between the electrodes and having a layer thickness l.sub.m, wherein the first electrode comprises at least one catalyst-free circular region having a radius R1.sup.max. Contrary to what has been customary until now, the second electrode of the fuel cell according to the invention likewise comprises a catalyst-free circular region having a radius R.sub.2<R.sub.1.sup.max. Advantageously, 0.5 l.sub.m≦[R.sub.1.sup.max−R.sub.2]≦2 l.sub.m applies. Simulations prove that during these examinations, which capture only a narrow catalyst-containing sample ring, the local current density across the surface can be kept essentially constant, and therefore the captured catalyst particles are considerably more representative of the entire catalyst layer than in previously examinations using fuel cells in which the sample used has a completely circular measurement geometry.

A system for inspecting quality of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) of a fuel cell includes a bonding device configured to bond the MEA and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) to manufacture a bonded unit thereof. A transfer device adsorbs one surface of the bonded unit to transfer the bonded unit. An inspection device is disposed on one side of the bonded unit transferred by the transfer device and inspects an outer appearance of the bonded unit. A reversing device places the bonded unit thereon by the transfer device and reverses the bonded unit vertically. A loading and lifting device loads the bonded unit thereon after being transferred by the transfer device and adjusts a loading height.

A system for inspecting quality of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) of a fuel cell includes a bonding device configured to bond the MEA and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) to manufacture a bonded unit thereof. A transfer device adsorbs one surface of the bonded unit to transfer the bonded unit. An inspection device is disposed on one side of the bonded unit transferred by the transfer device and inspects an outer appearance of the bonded unit. A reversing device places the bonded unit thereon by the transfer device and reverses the bonded unit vertically. A loading and lifting device loads the bonded unit thereon after being transferred by the transfer device and adjusts a loading height.

A method for controlling the operation of an electrochemical device having at least one operating organ, comprising the steps of: receiving measurements related to the operation of the electrochemical device, and estimating at least diagnostics data based on said measurements, estimating prognostics data based on said diagnostics data and providing operation instructions to control said operating organ of the electrochemical device, said operation instructions being optimized with respect to said estimated diagnostics and prognostics data.