Abstract: A method for the treatment of a methanol reforming catalyst includes pre-aging the catalyst by baking it out in a dry atmosphere in order thereby to complete its inherent initial loss of volume before the start of the methanol reforming reaction. The method may be used for methanol reforming reactors in fuel-cell-operated motor vehicles.

Abstract: A vehicle has an internal-combustion engine drive and a fuel cell drive system. Liquid fuel is used to supply energy to the internal-combustion engine drive and the fuel cell system. The internal-combustion engine drive is used for starting the vehicle and for permitting its immediate movement after starting of the internal-combustion engine, as well as for heating the fuel cell system to a working temperature. After the working temperature is reached, the fuel cell is started. Subsequently, an electric driving motor, which is fed by the fuel cell system, alone or together with the internal-combustion engine drive, drives the movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: A reforming reactor includes (1) a reformer section for converting a starting material mixture into a reformate product by means of an endothermal reforming reaction; (2) a CO shift section to convert the carbon monoxide contained in the reformate product into carbon dioxide by the CO shift reaction; and (3) a catalytic burner unit for generating heat by catalytic combustion of a combustion gas. The catalytic burner has a heating area in thermal contact with the reformer section and a cooling area in thermal contact with the CO shift section having less combustion catalyst activity than the heating area. Combustion gas is fed counter-current-wise to the reformate product flowing through the CO shift stage and to the starting material mixture flowing through the reformer stage through the corresponding cooling area and through the adjoining heating area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for operating a system for the water vapor reforming of a hydrocarbon, having an evaporator, a reforming reactor, a membrane module connected behind, and a catalytic burner device. According to the invention, a first part of the catalytic burner device is in thermal contact with the reforming reactor, and a second part of the burner device is in thermal contact with the evaporator. According to the process, a heating operation is carried out during the cold start of the system, in which, in a first operating phase, at least the evaporator and the reforming reactor are heated by the catalytic burner device, and in a second operating phase, a hydrocarbon/water vapor mixture is prepared in the evaporator at a water/hydrocarbon ratio which is higher than in the normal operation and is fed to the reactor, the substance mixture emerging from the reactor being fed by way of the membrane module to the catalytic burner device.

Abstract: A system for generating a high-hydrogen gas comprises a reformer for the catalytic water vapor reforming of a water vapor/fuel mixture while supplying thermal energy; a gas purification stage for removing carbon monoxide from the high-hydrogen gas while releasing heat; and devices for transmitting thermal energy from the gas purification stage into the reformer. The reaction rates in the reformer and in the gas purification stage are designed such that a defined temperature level is set automatically by the coupling of the two reactions.

Abstract: A process for generating a high-hydrogen, low-carbon monoxide gas comprises generating a product gas in a gas generating device. The product gas contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide that are generated from catalytic water vapor reforming of a water/fuel mixture and/or from partial oxidation of an oxygen/fuel mixture. In a gas purification stage, the carbon monoxide fraction in the product gas is reduced by selective CO oxidation on an oxidation catalyst. During a starting phase, oxygen is admixed to the supplied fuel and the flow direction is reversed such that the flow first takes place through the gas purification stage and only then through the gas generating device.

Abstract: A process for generating a high-hydrogen, low-carbon monoxide gas comprises generating a product gas in a gas generating device. The product gas contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide that are generated from catalytic water vapor reforming of a water/fuel mixture and/or from partial oxidation of an oxygen/fuel mixture. In a gas purification stage, the carbon monoxide fraction in the product gas is reduced by selective CO oxidation on an oxidation catalyst. During a starting phase, oxygen is admixed to the supplied fuel and the flow direction is reversed such that the flow first takes place through the gas purification stage and only then through the gas generating device.

Abstract: A membrane for separating hydrogen from a gas mixture is provided on at least one side with a catalyst layer for a specific catalytic combustion process. A methanol reformation system so equipped can be brought rapidly to operating temperature, with the hydrogen-separating membrane being heated directly by performing the catalytic combustion process.

Abstract: A fuel cell engine for a vehicle comprises at least one fuel cell stack for producing electric power from a fuel and an oxidant, a propulsion motor, for propelling the vehicle. The propulsion motor is connected to receive electric power from the at least one fuel cell stack and is operatively connected to mechanically drive a device for directing a fluid stream into the fuel cell stack. In preferred embodiments the propulsion motor is operatively connected to drive a device for directing at least one reactant fluid stream into the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: In method for soldering metal microstructured plates, stacks of plates and solder layers are prepared by placing the solder layers between each adjacent plate. The thickness of the solder layers range from 3 to 25 &mgr;m. The stack is then soldered by heating it in a vacuum or an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a catalytic converter includes spraying a suspension comprising a solvent and a catalyst material comprising carrier particles coated with a catalytically active material onto a substrate having a temperature above the boiling point of the solvent via a sprayer; and forming a layer on the substrate. The layer is thermally activated and is wetted three-dimensionally.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane fuel cell system includes a proton exchange membrane fuel cell; a first compressor for compressing the process air supplied to the fuel cell; a first expander coupled with compressor for driving the first compressor; and a catalytic burner as the heat source. The cathode offgas from the fuel cell is fed to the catalytic burner as an air supply and the expander is operated by the exhaust air from the catalytic burner. A portion of the gas from the burner is expanded in a second expander, which is coupled to a second compressor which further compresses the air from the first compressor.

Abstract: A reactor unit includes a monolithic block with several parallel reaction chamber lengthwise channels into which a reaction starting product can flow, which contain a suitable reaction catalyst material, and which are delimited externally by membrane walls for the selective separation of a desired reaction component from the reaction end product. A catalytic burner is accommodated in at least some of the lengthwise channels.

Abstract: A methanol reforming reactor includes a reforming reaction space into which a methanol reforming catalyst is charged. The methanol reforming catalyst is present at the start of the reforming reaction operation in a pre-aged state in the reforming reaction space. A process for pre-aging the methanol reforming catalyst comprises heating at a temperature of between approximately 240° C. and approximately 350° C. and at a load of between approximately 0.5 m3H2/h and approximately 50 m3H2/h per liter of catalyst material in a methanol/water atmosphere. The reactor may be used in fuel-cell-operated motor vehicles for generating hydrogen for the fuel cells by means of the water vapor reforming of methanol.