METHOD FOR OPERATING FUEL CELL ELECTRIC POWER GENERATING APPARATUS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively operate and efficiently work a reformer regardless of whether electric power generating operation is on or off in a fuel cell. SOLUTION: A method for operating a fuel cell electric power generating apparatus includes the reformer 2 to reform raw fuel including a hydrocarbon compound, the fuel cell 1 to generate electric power by utilizing reformed gas supplied from the reformer 2, a hydrogen purifying line mounted with a compressor 4 and a hydrogen purifying apparatus 5 connected in series, the compressor 4 compressing the reformed gas supplied from the reformer 2 and the hydrogen purifying apparatus 5 purifying the compressed reformed gas, branching piping to branch from the reformer 2 to the fuel cell 1 and the hydrogen purifying line, and valves 6, 7 to freely branch supplying destinations of the reformed gas between the fuel cell 1 and the hydrogen purifying line. When an electric power amount generated by the fuel cell electric power generating apparatus is lowered, a part or the whole of the reformed gas is supplied to the hydrogen purifying line. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT