HYDROGEN-PRODUCING FUEL CELL SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF OPERATING THE SAME

Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems and methods of operating the same. The methods include initiating supply of a stored hydrogen stream, which includes stored hydrogen gas, to a fuel cell stack. Prior to the initiating, the stored hydrogen gas is stored in a low-pressure hydrogen storage tank at a hydrogen storage pressure. The methods also include generating an electrical power output from the stored hydrogen gas with the fuel cell stack. The methods further include, during a supply time interval that is subsequent to the initiating, monitoring a hydrogen supply variable that is indicative of flow of the stored hydrogen stream to the fuel cell stack. The methods also include detecting a change in the hydrogen supply variable and responding to the detecting. The systems include a controller that is programmed to perform the methods.