Abstract: A method for manufacturing tanks for storing or containing a fluid under pressure and a method for manufacturing pipes for containing or channeling a fluid under pressure, such as for storing, containing or channeling hydrogen, natural gas or a hydraulic fluid. The method is less complex than known procedures, can be employed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner and allows for a lower thickness of the shell made from the fibres. The method comprising providing a liner having a cylindrical portion with two ends and two dome portions at the respective ends of the cylindrical portions or a liner having a cylindrical portion and one or two open ends; fabricating a tube of fibre filaments by means of the pullwinding method; and wrapping the tube of fibre filaments onto the liner such that at least the cylindrical portion of the liner is enclosed by the tube of fibre filaments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material for hydrogen storage based on metal hydrides and to a method of operating a hydrogen storage system based on metal hydrides capable of releasing and absorbing hydrogen. Such hydrogen storage systems based on metal hydrides may be applicable as a fuel source for a fuel cell. The composite material for hydrogen storage comprises a powder or pellets of a hydride and a phase changing material (PCM), wherein the PCM is an encapsulated phase changing material (EPCM) which is homogeneously dispersed within the powder or pellets of the hydride.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cold start apparatus for an exothermic hydrogen consumer such as a fuel cell and also a method for operating an exothermic hydrogen consumer having a metal hydride store or hydrogen supply from a reformer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell having an efficient cold start apparatus, which can be taken into operation immediately and does not require any pressure tank. Furthermore, the cold start apparatus should be available for an unlimited number of starting operations.

Abstract: A cold start device for an exothermic hydrogen consumer such as a fuel cell, as well as a method for operating an exothermic hydrogen consumer with a metal hydride storage system. An exothermic hydrogen consumer such as a fuel cell with an efficient cold start device which can be brought into operation rapidly and. does not require a pressure tank is provided. The cold start device is available for an unlimited number of start-up procedures. At least one starter tank is filled with a metal hydride which has an equilibrium pressure for desorption of at least 100 kPa at a temperature of ?40° C., as well as at least one operating tank which is filled with at least one metal hydride, which has an equilibrium pressure of <100 kPa at temperatures of <0° C., and wherein the starter tank is incorporated into the operating tank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing tetrahydridoborate salts with high efficiency at low cost. The method for the production of metal borohydride salts according to the present invention comprises the steps of providing an anhydrous metal borate salt and milling the anhydrous metal borate salt in the presence of a metal material based on magnesium or magnesium alloys in a hydrogen atmosphere at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce the metal borohydride salt. In another embodiment of the invention, the method for the production of metal borohydride salts according to the present invention comprises the steps of providing an hydrated metal borate salt and milling the hydrated metal borate salt in the presence of a metal material based on magnesium or magnesium alloys in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce the metal borohydride salts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material for hydrogen storage based on metal hydrides and to a method of operating a hydrogen storage system based on metal hydrides capable of releasing and absorbing hydrogen. Such hydrogen storage systems based on metal hydrides may be applicable as a fuel source for a fuel cell. The composite material for hydrogen storage comprises a powder or pellets of a hydride and a phase changing material (PCM), wherein the PCM is an encapsulated phase changing material (EPCM) which is homogeneously dispersed within the powder or pellets of the hydride.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas circulation system (1) for transporting heat from a high-temperature source (5) to a heat consumer (7), having a pipe system (2), through which a gaseous heat transfer medium flows, wherein part of the pipe system (2) is formed as a heat exchanger (4) following on from the high-temperature source (5), in which heat is transferred from the high-temperature source (5) into the heat transfer medium, and wherein part of the pipe system (2) is formed as a heat sink (6), in which the heat transferred to the heat transfer medium can be transferred to a heat consumer (7), or as a heat consumer. One or more gas flow enhancers (8) functioning according to the Coand? effect and/or the Venturi effect, which are supplied with pressurized impulse gas, are provided in the pipe system (2), in order to propel the heat transfer medium in the pipe system (2) in a flow direction (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for the efficient heat management of a low-temperature fuel cell which is supplied from a metal hydride store. The system of the invention makes it possible to achieve, for example, discharge temperatures of the metal hydride store of about 180° C. in the case of low-temperature fuel cells operated at about 85° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material for hydrogen storage based on metal hydrides and to a method of operating a hydrogen storage system based on metal hydrides capable of releasing and absorbing hydrogen. Such hydrogen storage systems based on metal hydrides may be applicable as a fuel source for a fuel cell. The composite material for hydrogen storage comprises a powder or pellets of a hydride and a phase changing material (PCM), wherein the PCM is an encapsulated phase changing material (EPCM) which is homogeneously dispersed within the powder or pellets of the hydride.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing tanks for storing or containing a fluid under pressure and a method for manufacturing pipes for containing or channeling a fluid under pressure, such as for storing, containing or channeling hydrogen, natural gas or a hydraulic fluid. The method is less complex than known procedures, can be employed in a continuous or semi-continuous manner and allows for a lower thickness of the shell made from the fibres. The method comprising providing a liner having a cylindrical portion with two ends and two dome portions at the respective ends of the cylindrical portions or a liner having a cylindrical portion and one or two open ends; fabricating a tube of fibre filaments by means of the pullwinding method; and wrapping the tube of fibre filaments onto the liner such that at least the cylindrical portion of the liner is enclosed by the tube of fibre filaments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cold start apparatus for an exothermic hydrogen consumer such as a fuel cell and also a method for operating an exothermic hydrogen consumer having a metal hydride store or hydrogen supply from a reformer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel cell having an efficient cold start apparatus, which can be taken into operation immediately and does not require any pressure tank. Furthermore, the cold start apparatus should be available for an unlimited number of starting operations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for the efficient heat management of a low-temperature fuel cell which is supplied from a metal hydride store. The system of the invention makes it possible to achieve, for example, discharge temperatures of the metal hydride store of about 180° C. in the case of low-temperature fuel cells operated at about 85° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing tetrahydridoborate salts with high efficiency at low cost. The method for the production of metal borohydride salts according to the present invention comprises the steps of providing an anhydrous metal borate salt and milling the anhydrous metal borate salt in the presence of a metal material based on magnesium or magnesium alloys in a hydrogen atmosphere at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce the metal borohydride salt. In another embodiment of the invention, the method for the production of metal borohydride salts according to the present invention comprises the steps of providing an hydrated metal borate salt and milling the hydrated metal borate salt in the presence of a metal material based on magnesium or magnesium alloys in an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce the metal borohydride salts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas circulation system (1) for transporting heat from a high-temperature source (5) to a heat consumer (7), having a pipe system (2), through which a gaseous heat transfer medium flows, wherein part of the pipe system (2) is formed as a heat exchanger (4) following on from the high-temperature source (5), in which heat is transferred from the high-temperature source (5) into the heat transfer medium, and wherein part of the pipe system (2) is formed as a heat sink (6), in which the heat transferred to the heat transfer medium can be transferred to a heat consumer (7), or as a heat consumer. One or more gas flow enhancers (8) functioning according to the Coand? effect and/or the Venturi effect, which are supplied with pressurized impulse gas, are provided in the pipe system (2), in order to propel the heat transfer medium in the pipe system (2) in a flow direction (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogen-storing composite material which is convertible essentially reversibly between a storing state and a non-storing state, wherein the reaction enthalpy in this conversion reaction can be set in a targeted manner to a value between 15 and 80 kJ/mol of H2, preferably 25 to 40 kJ/mol of H2.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of activating or regenerating a hydrogen storage material which contains at least one metal hydride. The at least one metal hydride is brought into contact with an inert solvent and the inert solvent is subsequently removed again. After contacting with and removal of the inert solvent, there is not only an increase in the reaction rate but surprisingly the hydrogenation also proceeds more completely. The present method is particularly advantageous when the hydrogen storage material contains at least components which interact with one another during absorption and desorption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogen-storing composite material which is convertible essentially reversibly between a storing state and a non-storing state, wherein the reaction enthalpy in this conversion reaction can be set in a targeted manner to a value between 15 and 80 kJ/mol of H2, preferably 25 to 40 kJ/mol of H2.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of activating or regenerating a hydrogen storage material which contains at least one metal hydride. The at least one metal hydride is brought into contact with an inert solvent and the inert solvent is subsequently removed again. After contacting with and removal of the inert solvent, there is not only an increase in the reaction rate but surprisingly the hydrogenation also proceeds more completely. The present method is particularly advantageous when the hydrogen storage material contains at least components which interact with one another during absorption and desorption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas tight storage and/or transport tank for low molecular filling media, in particular for hydrogen, with a tank wall which comprises a thermoplastic polymer and at least one diffusion barrier. The diffusion barrier comprises a metal hydride.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas tight storage and/or transport tank for low molecular filling media, in particular for hydrogen, with a tank wall which comprises a thermoplastic polymer and at least one diffusion barrier. The diffusion barrier comprises a metal hydride.