Abstract: A catalyst assembly includes a housing having at least first and second recesses with side surfaces, and a catalyst carrier body fixed in said housing. The catalyst carrier body has a casing tube and a honeycomb body through which an exhaust gas can flow. The casing tube has at least first and second protuberances with side surfaces and said casing tube is connected to said honeycomb body at least in a partial region. The protuberances extend at least partially into said recesses to form a fixed mounting and at least one floating mounting with an axial mounting play. The assembly ensures that the catalyst carrier body is permanently fixed, in particular during structure-borne vibrations that occur in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for cleaning exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, in particular a diesel engine or a lean-burn engine, includes at least one honeycomb body coated with catalytically active material and having passages through which the exhaust gas can flow, walls separating the passages from each other, and first and second zones disposed in succession in a flow direction. The first zone has a lower thermal capacity per unit of volume of the honeycomb body than the second zone and the second zone has a thermal capacity of at least 800 joules per liter and Kelvin [J/lK], preferably at least 900. Sheet metal layers in the first zone preferably have an average uncoated thickness of less than 0.06 mm, preferably less than 0.04 mm. Sheet metal layers in the second zone preferably have an average uncoated thickness of more than 0.06 mm, preferably more than 0.08 mm and in particular 0.11 mm.

Abstract: A device for purifying an exhaust gas contains at least one first and one second component with a respective shell and core through which the exhaust flows, as well as with two front faces each. At least one of the front faces of the first component and at least one front face of the second component has a predetermined profile with elevations and depressions. The elevations of the front face of the first component extend into the depressions of the front face of the second component and vice versa, thereby configuring a penetration section. The first component is disposed electrically insulated from the second component. The components have a potential difference between them and plasma is generated in the penetration section. The compact plasma reactor reduces the pollutant concentration in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine operated in the lean mode, especially when combined with an oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: A low-temperature fuel cell having two porous electrodes is described. An electrolyte having a surface on a fuel gas side and a surface on a reaction gas side is disposed between the electrodes. A method for wetting at least one of the surfaces of the electrolyte in such a fuel cell is also described. To this end the fuel cell is positioned adjacent to at least one channel element containing a semi-permeable membrane through which a fluid guided in the channel element is able to pass towards the electrolyte and at least partly covers at least one of the surfaces of the electrolyte with a layer of water so that the reactions taking place at the electrolyte are enhanced. The invention is advantageous insofar as dosing can be carried out via an adjustment of the pressure or via the concentration of water in the fluid, in particular if the fluid also contains a carrier medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an electrode and an electrode for a fuel cell, especially a low temperature fuel cell. According to the method, a blank containing organic polymers is subjected to a thermal treatment in order to convert the organic polymers at least partially into conductive polymers, especially with a graphite-type structure.

Abstract: A fuel cell module containing at least two fuel cells, especially low-temperature fuel cells, is described. Each fuel cell has two electrodes of different polarity as well as an electrolyte positioned between the electrodes. Each fuel cell is supplied with fuel via a fuel supply channel and with an oxidant via an oxidant supply channel. The fuel cells are substantially juxtaposed. The electrodes of different polarity are electrically connected with each other. The electrolytes of each cell are situated essentially in the same plane. Several fuel cells connected in series constitute a string or row and several strings can be connected in parallel.

Abstract: The device and the method determine the temperature in a fuel cell installation. The temperature is recorded at least at one measurement location, such as a position and/or an region of a fuel cell stack and/or of a fuel cell unit, and is transmitted to a computation unit for a model computation. The computation unit then determines the temperature distribution in the stack with the aid of a model computation and transmits the information to a control unit. The control unit can be used to control the temperature in the stack.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for cleaning the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine with a supercharger. The catalytic converter has a catalyst carrier body and is adapted to being fitted into a connecting joint in an exhaust pipe upstream of supercharger in a direction of exhaust gas flow. A retaining element fastens the catalyst carrier body in the connecting joint.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes two electrodes of different polarity. A proton-conducting membrane electrolyte is disposed between the two electrodes. At least one of the electrodes has a gas-side surface and an electrolyte-side surface. The electrode has pores which are permeable for a gas from the gas-side surface to the electrolyte-side surface. The pores have respective pore inlet openings and pore outlet openings. The pore inlet openings have a first total area and the pore outlet openings have a second total area smaller than the first total area. As a result of the configuration of the pores, gas can advantageously pass through the electrode more easily. Furthermore, the loss of humidity from the electrolyte is reduced. The fuel cell can be combined with an electromotor to provide an alternative to conventional internal combustion engines, especially in vehicles and rail systems.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for cleaning exhaust gas, particularly from a small engine, includes a converter housing and at least one honeycomb body disposed therein and containing layers of sheet metal having catalytically active material. The converter is disposed on a dividing wall of a muffler housing for a small engine. The dividing wall has at least one opening. The housing has an upper housing component and a lower housing component. The converter housing is shaped in such a way that exhaust gas can flow successively through the honeycomb body and the opening and the converter housing is spaced apart from the muffler housing. Such a converter can be manufactured cost-effectively, can easily be integrated into existing structures and does not lead to unacceptable temperatures of the outer wall of the muffler housing during operation.