Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) includes a reformer (2), for generating a reformate gas, a fuel cell (3) for generating electric current from cathode air and reformate gas, an air supply (4), which draws in ambient air and splits this at least into reformer air and cathode air, sends the reformer air via a reformer air line (15) in the direction of the reformer and sends the cathode air via a cathode air line (16) in the direction of a cathode side (11). A recirculating line (20) connects an anode side (10) to the reformer (2). A hot gas delivery (24),which contains a hot gas path (26), is arranged in the recirculating line for driving the anode waste. A cooling air path (27), which is integrated into the cathode air line, through which the reformer air or cathode air flows, reduces thermal load of the hot gas delivery.

Abstract: A vehicle heater includes a first housing arrangement (12), a second housing arrangement (14) connected with the first housing arrangement (12) in an adjoining area (32), and at least one sensor (54) with a holding area (62). The holding area (62) is held in the adjoining area (32) in a support path between the first housing arrangement (12) and the second housing arrangement (14).

Abstract: A catalytic burner, especially for a vehicle heater, for the catalytically supported combustion of a fuel/combustion air mixture, includes a mixing chamber (24) and a combustion air feed device (36), for feeding combustion air to the mixing chamber (24) and a fuel feed device (28, 34), for feeding fuel to the mixing chamber (24), upstream of the mixing chamber (24). A catalyzer device (46) is provided with at least one catalyzer unit (48, 50, 52, 70), through which the fuel/combustion air mixture can flow. The fuel feed device (28, 34) includes an evaporator device (28) receiving liquid fuel from a fuel feed line (34) and releasing fuel vapor into the mixing chamber (24) or/and the at least one catalyzer unit (48, 50, 52, 70) includes a grid-like support with catalyst material on a surface of the a grid-like support.

Abstract: A heat exchanger arrangement, especially for a vehicle heater, includes a pot-like heat exchanger housing (12) with an inner wall (22, 24) and with an outer wall (18, 20). A heat carrier medium flow space is formed between the inner wall (22, 24) and the outer wall (18, 20). A first flow opening (54) is provided on the outer wall (18, 20) and, adjoining this, a pump housing (58) made integrally with the outer wall (18, 20) for a heat carrier medium pump is provided.

Abstract: A burner (1) for burning a gaseous oxidant with a gaseous fuel, with a combustion chamber (2), in which the combustion reaction takes place during the operation of the burner (2), has a wall structure (4) which defines the combustion chamber (2) on the inlet side and which has oxidant openings (5) for introducing the oxidant into the combustion chamber (2) and fuel openings (6), which are separate therefrom, for introducing the fuel into the combustion chamber (2). The wall structure (4) has an oxidant distributor space (7), which is fluidically connected with the oxidant openings (5) on the outlet side and is fluidically connected with at least one oxidant feed opening (9) on the inlet side, as well as contains a fuel distributor space (8), which is fluidically separated from the oxidant distributor space (7) and is fluidically connected on the outlet side with the fuel openings (6) and is fluidically connected with at least one fuel feed opening (10) on the inlet side.

Abstract: A fuel cell module (1) with a fuel cell (2), a residual gas burner (4) and a heat exchanger (6). The service life of the module (1) can be improved by at least one compensator (27) for establishing a flow-carrying connection between the residual gas burner (4) and the heat exchanger (6).

Abstract: A modular fuel cell system is provided, especially for use in vehicles, with a fuel cell module, which has a stack of a plurality fuel cell elements between a first end plate and a second end plate, with a burner-heat exchanger module, which has a heat exchanger for preheating cathode gas and a burner for reacting fuel cell waste gases. Manufacturing advantages are provided with the first end plate has, on a connection side facing away from the stack, an anode gas inlet opening, a cathode gas inlet opening, an anode waste gas outlet opening and a cathode waste gas outlet opening and if the burner-heat exchanger module has an anode gas outlet opening communicatingly connected to the an anode gas inlet opening, an cathode gas outlet opening communicatingly connected to the an cathode gas inlet opening, an anode waste gas inlet opening communicatingly connected to the an anode waste gas outlet opening and an cathode waste gas inlet opening communicatingly connected to the an cathode waste gas outlet opening.

Abstract: A process is provided for operating a fuel cell system (1), especially in a motor vehicle, wherein the fuel cell system (1) includes at least one reformer (2) and at least one fuel cell (3). To prolong the service life of the system (1), a warm-holding mode is carried out after switching off the fuel cell system (1). During the warm-holding mode an educt containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide is fed to the reformer (2) and reacted with air in reformer (2) at a catalyst (5) of reformer (2) in an exothermal reaction.

Abstract: A wall structure (21) for a burner (19), with a first wall (40), which has elevations (41) and which defines a first supply chamber (22), and with a second wall (43), which has recesses (44) cooperating with end sections (42) of the elevations (41) and which defines a reaction chamber (20). The first wall (40) has first openings (34), which connect the first supply chamber (23) to the reaction chamber (20). The second wall (43) has second openings (37), which connect a second supply chamber (24) located between the walls (40, 43) to the reaction chamber (20). The first openings (34) are arranged in first rows (35) and the second openings (37) in second rows (38). The mixture formation or homogenization of the gases in the reaction chamber (20) can be improved if at least one second opening (37) is arranged within the first row (35) between two openings (34).

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1), especially in a motor vehicle, is provided with a fuel cell (2), which generates electric current during the operation from anode gas and cathode gas, with a residual gas burner (3), which reacts anode waste gas with cathode waste gas into burner waste gas during the operation; with an air delivery device (17), which feeds air as cathode gas to the fuel cell (2) via a fuel cell air line (12) during the operation; and with a first heat exchanger (14), which couples a waste gas line (13) removing burner waste gas from the residual gas burner (3) with the fuel cell air line (12) in a heat-transmitting operation.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1), especially in a motor vehicle, includes at least one fuel cell (2) for generating electricity, at least one reformer (3) for generating a reformat gas, a fuel supply means (13) for feeding fuel to the reformer (3), a recycling means (83), which has a recycling line (31) connected to the reformer (3) for feeding anode waste gas of the fuel cell (2) to the reformer (3), and an air supply means (17), which has an air line (18) connected to the reformer (3) separately from the recycling line (31) for feeding air to the reformer (3). To increase performance, the fuel supply means (13) may be designed such that fuel can be introduced with it into the recycling line (31).

Abstract: A process for operating a fuel cell system (1), especially in a motor vehicle. The fuel cell system (1) includes at least one fuel cell (3) as well as at least one reformer (2). To improve the possibility of warm start, a warm-holding mode, in which heat transfer takes place from the fuel cell (3) to the reformer (2), is activated after switching off the fuel cell system (1).