NOVELTY - A fuel cell module for use with hydrogen as first reactant and air, including oxygen as second reactant and nitrogen as non-reactive agent, comprises fuel cell stack including fuel cell, each fuel cell including anode electrode (204), cathode electrode (202) and electrolyte medium arranged between anode and cathode electrodes, where during normal operation the anode electrode is provided with first reactant and cathode electrode is provided with air, a parasitic load that is connectable across the electrodes, a reactant reservoir in communication with the anode electrode; and a pump.    USE - As fuel cell module (claimed), particularly proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell that is operable to produce electricity.    ADVANTAGE - Since the source of the oxygen is air (which is approximately 80% nitrogen) the electrodes within the fuel cell stack are passively blanketed with nitrogen. A high concentration of nitrogen reduces the amount of combustion that occurs within the fuel cell stack. The passive blanketing process is a function of the change in pressures within the fuel cell module and specifically within the fuel cell stack.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A fuel cell module for use with hydrogen as a first reactant and air, including oxygen as a second reactant and nitrogen as a non-reactive agent, comprises fuel cell stack including at least one fuel cell, each fuel cell including an anode electrode (204), a cathode electrode (202) and an electrolyte medium arranged between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, where during normal operation the anode electrode is provided with the first reactant and the cathode electrode is provided with air; a parasitic load that is connectable across the anode and the cathode electrodes; a reactant reservoir in communication with the anode electrode; and a pump, fan or blower, operable to supply air to the cathode electrodes (a) while the fuel cell stack is in a discharged state or (b) using a power source other than the fuel cell stack. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for the following:    (1) shutting down and restarting a fuel cell, the fuel cell including a first electrode, a second electrode and an electrolyte arranged between the first and second electrodes, where during normal operation the first electrode is provided with a first reactant and the second electrode is provided with a first mixture containing a second reactant and a non-reactive agent, involving stopping inflow of the first reactant into the first electrode; cutting-off power to supporting elements of the fuel cell; drawing current through a parasitic load connectable across the first and second electrodes, providing an amount of a first reactant for the electrochemical consumption of remaining amount of a second reactant; permitting an inflow of an amount of the first mixture into the second electrode; and, when re-starting the fuel cell module, providing a flow or amount of the first mixture to the second electrode (a) before the fuel cell stack is recharged or (b) using a power source other than the fuel cell stack; and    (2) starting a fuel cell module involving providing a flow of oxygen to a cathode electrode of a fuel cell stack (a) before the fuel cell stack is re- charged or (b) using a power source other than the fuel cell stack.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic view of fuel cell module.    Input valve (12)    Output valve (13)    Flow control device (14)    Check valve (15)    Hydrogen recirculation pump (16)    Parasitic load (17)    Fuel supply port (107)    First exhaust port (108)    Second exhaust port (109)    Fuel cell stack (200)    Cathode electrode (202)    Anode electrode (204)