STARTING METHOD AND REFORMING APPARATUS FOR FUEL CELL SYSTEM, AND FUEL CELL SYSTEM

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of starting a fuel cell system safely in which row material gas has been sealed in a reforming apparatus during its stop, and a reforming apparatus which can start by making raw material gas sealed in during its stop discharge safely, and a fuel battery system comprising such as a reforming apparatus. SOLUTION: This fuel cell system 1 comprises: a reforming apparatus 2 which includes a gas cutting means 53s for sealing in raw material gas (m) and an exhaust passage 53 for discharging the sealed raw material gas (m) from the reforming apparatus 2 through the gas cutting means 53s; and a fuel cell stack 3 which generates electric power by introducing the reformed gas (g) produced in the reforming apparatus 2 and oxidant gas (k1). Further, the starting method of the fuel cell system 1 comprises the steps of: discharging the raw material gas (m) sealed in the reforming apparatus 2 from the sealing portion of the reforming apparatus 2 to the outside thereof; and mixing of air (k2) into the discharged raw material gas (m), and discharging it to the outside of the fuel cell system 1; wherein a concentration of the raw material gas (m) to be discharged to the outside of the fuel cell system 1 is always controlled to be less than an explosion lower limit. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT