NOVELTY - A fuel cell system (10) comprises controller that opens first switch and closes second switch to disconnect a primary load and couple an output of stack to auxiliary load, re-circulates cathode exhaust gas through re-circulation line, bleeds hydrogen gas into re-circulation line, and uses cross-over valve to purge an anode side of a stack with air at shut-down. The controller further re-circulates cathode exhaust gas through re-circulation line, bleeds hydrogen gas into the re-circulation line until the stack voltage decreases, and closes a third switch to short-circuit the stack at start-up.    USE - A fuel cell system.    ADVANTAGE - The system employs a process for minimizing corrosion in cathode side of fuel cell stack.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The fuel cell system (10) comprises fuel cell stack (12) having anode (16) and cathode (15) sides; compressor (20) for providing air flow to the cathode side; hydrogen source (24) for providing hydrogen gas to the anode side; first switch (66) for connecting power from the stack to a primary load (62); second switch (60) for connecting power from the stack to an auxiliary load (68); third switch (68) for connecting power from the stack to a shorting resistor (70); cross-over valve for providing air flow from the compressor to the anode side; re-circulation line (82) for re-circulating cathode exhaust gas to the cathode side; bleed valve (84) for selectively bleeding hydrogen gas into the re-circulating line; and controller (72) for controlling the system at start-up and shut-down. The controller opens the first switch and closes the second switch to disconnect the first primary load and couple an output of the stack to the auxiliary load when the stack output voltage is reduced to a first predetermined range, re-circulates the cathode exhaust gas through the re-circulation line, bleeds a predetermined concentration of hydrogen gas into the re-circulation line, and uses the cross-over valve to purge the anode side of the stack with air at shut-down. It re-circulates the cathode exhaust gas through the re-circulation line, bleeds hydrogen gas into the re-circulation line until the stack voltage decreases to a second predetermined range, and closes the third switch to short-circuit the stack at start-up. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method for minimizing cathode side corrosion in a fuel cell stack at stack shut-down.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing is a schematic diagram of the fuel cell system.    Fuel cell system (10)    Fuel cell stack (12)    Cathode (15)    Anode (16)    Compressor (20)    Hydrogen source (24)    Second switch (60)    Primary load (62)    First switch (66)    Auxiliary load (68)    Third switch (68)    Shorting resistor (70)    Controller (72)    Re-circulation line (82)    Bleed valve (84)