| abstract |
Disclosed is a sensor cell for protecting a fuel cell in which hydrogen is used as a fuel. With the sensor cell, all of various impurities which are contained in the fuel hydrogen and in an oxidant gas and cause a deterioration in performance of the fuel cell are monitored by means of one sensor to protect the fuel cell. The sensor cell, which is for use in a system for protecting a fuel cell, comprises an impurity monitoring sensor that has been disposed on the upstream side of the fuel cell and is constituted of a hydrogen pump cell which is more sensitive to impurities contained in the fuel hydrogen than the fuel cell. The sensor cell is characterized in that an impurity is detected on the basis of a change in the hydrogen electrolysis reaction occurring at the anode and in the hydrogen generation reaction occurring at the cathode. |