Method for operating a fuel cell in the minimal-or partial-load region

1. A method for operating a fuel cell in a minimal or part load range, the fuel cell including an active cell surface at which a fuel cell reaction occurs and a plurality of supply passages for carrying at least one reaction medium and communicating with the active cell surface and a plurality of discharge passages discharging the at least one reaction medium from the active cell surface, the method comprising:

opening or closing the plurality of supply passages so as to change a size of the active cell surface; and

opening or closing the plurality of discharge passages.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the fuel cell is a PEM or DMFC fuel cell.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the fuel cell includes an active cooling surface disposed in thermal contact with the active cell surface and a plurality of coolant supply passages for supplying a cooling medium to the active cooling surface and wherein the method further comprises opening or closing at least one of the plurality of coolant supply passages so as to change a size of the active cooling surface.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the opening or closing is performed using at least one displaceable perforated plate.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the opening or closing is performed using at least one rotary blocking slide.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the size of the active cell surface is capable of being adjusted by 5% and 100% of a maximum active cell surface size.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the passages are supply passages for supplying the at least one reaction medium to the cell surface.

8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the passages are discharge passages for discharging the at least one reaction medium from the cell surface.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the opening or closing includes only closing.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising interrupting a supply of the at least one reaction medium when a load of the fuel cell is zero so as to electrically short-circuit the fuel cell.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein interrupting includes interrupting both the supply and a discharge of the at least one reaction medium.

12. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein the interrupting is performed by closing all of the plurality of passages.

13. A device for operating a fuel cell in a minimal or part load range comprising:

a active cell surface configured to accommodate a fuel cell reaction;

a plurality of supply passages for carrying at least one reaction medium and communicating with the active cell surface;

a plurality of discharge passages for discharging the at least one reaction medium from the active cell surface; and

an active cell surface adjustment device configured to open or close the plurality of supply passages and to open or close the plurality of discharge passages.

14. The device as recited in claim 13 further comprising:

a cooling surface disposed in thermal contact with the active cell surface;

a plurality of coolant passages for carrying a cooling medium and in communication with the cooling surface; and

a cooling surface adjustment device configured to open or close at least one of the plurality of coolant passages.

15. The device as recited in claim 13 , wherein the active cell surface adjustment device includes at least one of a perforated plate and a rotary slide disposed adjacent the plurality of passages.

16. The device as recited in claim 14 , wherein the cooling surface adjustment device includes at least one of a perforated plate and a rotary slide disposed adjacent the plurality of coolant passages.