Siemens Aktiengesellschaft

Regina Hornung

Siegfried Birkle

Willi Bette

Karl Strasser

Manfred Waidhas

A fuel cell is provided which includes iron-based alloys for the construction of the solid parts of the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes a membrane electrode unit and solid constructive parts which may include current collectors, a cell frame and a bipolar plate. At least one of these solid constructive parts is made from an iron-based material that preferably has an effective weight percent of iron of greater than or equal to 26.9 percent.

Fuel cell and use of iron-based alloys for the construction of fuel cells

A process for operating a PEM fuel cell installation includes providing at least one PEM fuel cell module having an inlet valve for hydrogen H.sub.2 and an inlet valve for oxygen O.sub.2. In order to switch off the PEM fuel cell module, the oxygen O.sub.2 inlet valve is closed in a first step, and the hydrogen H.sub.2 inlet valve is closed in a second step when a predetermined oxygen O.sub.2 partial pressure at a cathode part of the PEM fuel cell module is reached. Reliable operation of the PEM fuel cell installation is guaranteed by this measure.

Growing community of inventors

Erlangen, Germany

Regina Hornung