PURPOSE: To prevent the deterioration of cell characteristics even if a fuel cell is sealed for preservation when not operated and to reuse a moisture absorber by disposing in a sealed container a moisture absorber which can be reused through heating, and associating heating means with the moisture absorber.
CONSTITUTION: In a fuel cell of phosphoric acid type, reaction gases contain water generated as power is generated, and when the operation of the fuel cell is stopped and a sealed container 1 for enclosing a cell main body 3 for preservation is closed by a lid body 2, residual water condenses on the surface of a hydrogen storage tank 4 and reduces the concentration of phsophoric acid, thus deteriorating cell characteristics. Then a moisture absorber 7 is provided near a startup electric heater 5 inside a main body 1 to dehumidify the inside of the main body and then deterioration of the cell characteristics can be prevented. A moisture absorber whose ability to absorb moisture has been deteriorated by dehumidifying is dried by heat generated by a heater 5 during the next operation and so its moisture absorbing ability can be recovered without replacing it.
WASHIMI SHINGO
SHINDO KOJI
YAMAMOTO SATOSHI
