FUEL CELL HEAT RETENTION WITH PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL

A passive thermal management system is provided for a fuel cell stack, along with methods for maintaining a uniform temperature across a fuel cell stack during cold weather conditions. The system includes a plurality of fuel cells arranged as a fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a main body portion defining an exterior surface and having first and second opposing end walls. The system includes a first end frame component having a first phase change material in thermal communication with the first end wall. A second end frame component is provided having a second phase change material in thermal communication with the second end wall. An insulation layer is wrapped around the exterior surface of the main body portion and is provided in thermal communication with the plurality of fuel cells.