Abstract: A fuel treatment device (2) converts a hydrocarbon-containing fuel into a fuel for a fuel cell (3). The fuel treatment device (2) has for this purpose a mixture formation space (7) for forming and processing a mixture of fuel and another component, a reformer (8) for converting the mixture into a synthesis gas and a desulfurization stage (9) for removing sulfur from the synthesis gas or from the mixture. The reformer (8) and desulfurization stage (9) are arranged adjacent to each other in a housing (10) along an axis of the housing (10).

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1), especially for motor vehicles, is provided with at least one fuel cell (2), which has at least two electrodes (3), to which at least one electric user (4) can be connected. The electrodes (3), especially the anode (4), are protected if a temperature-measuring device (8) measures the electrode temperature of at least one of the electrodes (3) and if a control (24) sets the water fed into the fuel cell (2) by a water feed device (11), preferably before the reformate gas enters the fuel cell (2), as a function of the measured electrode temperature.

Abstract: A system (0) includes an electrical load system (54) with a load network battery (82), and a fuel cell system (1). Operation is simplified, especially during start of the fuel cell system (1) if the fuel cell system (1) has a system battery (56). A system voltage across the system battery (56) can be supplied to electrical system loads (80) of the fuel cell system (1) and, via a load voltage converter (77) and at least one additional voltage converter (86), to the load system (54) and secondary electrical loads (84, 85).

Abstract: A fuel treatment device (2) converts a hydrocarbon-containing fuel into a fuel for a fuel cell (3). The fuel treatment device (2) has for this purpose a mixture formation space (7) for forming and processing a mixture of fuel and another component, a reformer (8) for converting the mixture into a synthesis gas and a desulfurization stage (9) for removing sulfur from the synthesis gas or from the mixture. The reformer (8) and desulfurization stage (9) are arranged adjacent to each other in a housing (10) along an axis of the housing (10).

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) with a fuel cell unit (2) including at least one fuel cell (3), as well as an anode gas feed (11) including a reformer (12). A reduced deposit of hydrocarbons on an anode (5) of the fuel cell (3), especially in case of a cold start of the fuel cell system (1), is achieved when the anode gas feed (11) has a reduction device (14), which is arranged between the reformer (12) and the anode (5).

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) has a fuel cell (2) and a reformer (33). A careful operation of the fuel cell system (1), in particular during a start-up of the fuel cell system (1), is obtained when the fuel cell system (1) is equipped with a reformer heating burner (additional burner) (11). The heat of reformer heating burner waste gas of the reformer heating burner (11) is fed to the reformer (9).

Abstract: A fuel cell system with a reformer for generating hydrogen-containing synthesis gas and a fuel cell of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell is arranged downstream of the reformer. The fuel cell system is heated up conventionally in a first heat-up phase by combusting a superstoichiometric fuel/air mixture. The first heat-up phase is stopped by stopping the combustion of the fuel/air mixture in the mixing chamber of the reformer. In a second heat-up phase, in which the reformer catalyst is operated in the catalytic combustion operation with a superstoichiometric fuel/air mixture, the entire heat-up process can be significantly shortened by a change in stoichiometry at the end of the second heat-up phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system comprises at least one reformer for generating a reformate gas and at least one fuel cell for generating an electric current. An increased lifespan for the anode is achieved when with said anode an anode state value is continuously determined which correlates to a current degree of loading with carbon of the anode of the at least one fuel cell and when depending on the anode state value an oxygen-carbon ratio is varied in the reformate gas which is fed to the anode of the respective fuel cell.

Abstract: A system (0) includes an electrical load system (54) with a load network battery (82), and a fuel cell system (1). Operation is simplified, especially during start of the fuel cell system (1) if the fuel cell system (1) has a system battery (56). A system voltage across the system battery (56) can be supplied to electrical system loads (80) of the fuel cell system (1) and, via a load voltage converter (77) and at least one additional voltage converter (86), to the load system (54) and secondary electrical loads (84, 85).

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) with a fuel cell unit (2) including at least one fuel cell (3), as well as an anode gas feed (11) including a reformer (12). A reduced deposit of hydrocarbons on an anode (5) of the fuel cell (3), especially in case of a cold start of the fuel cell system (1), is achieved when the anode gas feed (11) has a reduction device (14), which is arranged between the reformer (12) and the anode (5).

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1) has a fuel cell (2) and a reformer (33). A careful operation of the fuel cell system (1), in particular during a start-up of the fuel cell system (1), is obtained when the fuel cell system (1) is equipped with a reformer heating burner (additional burner) (11). The heat of reformer heating burner waste gas of the reformer heating burner (11) is fed to the reformer (9).

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1), especially for motor vehicles, is provided with at least one fuel cell (2), which has at least two electrodes (3), to which at least one electric user (4) can be connected. The electrodes (3), especially the anode (4), are protected if a temperature-measuring device (8) measures the electrode temperature of at least one of the electrodes (3) and if a control (24) sets the water fed into the fuel cell (2) by a water feed device (11), preferably before the reformate gas enters the fuel cell (2), as a function of the measured electrode temperature.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1), especially for motor vehicles, is provided with at least one fuel cell (2), which has at least two electrodes (3), to which at least one electric user (4) can be connected. The fuel cell system (1) has, furthermore, a reformer (9) as well as a fuel feed (13) for supplying the reformer (9) with fuel and/or an oxidant gas feed for supplying the reformer (9) with oxidant gas. The fuel cell (2), especially the electrodes (3), is/are protected if a temperature-measuring device (8) measures the electrode temperature of at least one of the electrodes (3) and if a control (24) sets a quantity of fuel fed to reformer (9) and/or a quantity of oxidant gas fed to reformer (9) depending on the measured electrode temperature.

Abstract: A fuel cell system (1), especially for motor vehicles, is provided with at least one fuel cell (2), which has at least two electrodes (3) for connecting at least one electric user (4). Simplified operation is achieved if a voltage-measuring device (5), for measuring an electric voltage at the electrodes (3), is provided and if a control (15) actuates an anode gas feed device (6) as a function of the measured voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a fuel cell system, wherein the fuel cell system comprises at least one reformer for generating a reformate gas and at least one fuel cell for generating an electric current. An increased lifespan for the anode is achieved when with said anode an anode state value is continuously determined which correlates to a current degree of loading with carbon of the anode of the at least one fuel cell and when depending on the anode state value an oxygen-carbon ratio is varied in the reformate gas which is fed to the anode of the respective fuel cell.

Abstract: A fuel cell system with a reformer for generating hydrogen-containing synthesis gas and a fuel cell of the fuel cell system. The fuel cell is arranged downstream of the reformer. The fuel cell system is heated up conventionally in a first heat-up phase by combusting a superstoichiometric fuel/air mixture. The first heat-up phase is stopped by stopping the combustion of the fuel/air mixture in the mixing chamber of the reformer. In a second heat-up phase, in which the reformer catalyst is operated in the catalytic combustion operation with a superstoichiometric fuel/air mixture, the entire heat-up process can be significantly shortened by a change in stoichiometry at the end of the second heat-up phase.

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: The present invention relates to a fuel cell for a fuel cell system, in particular in a motor vehicle, having a plurality of fuel cell elements that form a fuel cell stack, and furthermore having respectively precisely four through openings that align with one another in the fuel cell stack, forming an anode gas inlet canal, an anode gas outlet canal, a cathode gas inlet canal, and a cathode gas outlet canal. In each fuel cell element, the anode gas inlet and the anode gas outlet are diametrically opposite from one another. In each fuel cell element, the cathode gas inlet and the cathode outlet lie diametrically with respect to one another. The fuel cell stack has two end plates on which an anode gas inlet connection, an anode gas outlet connection, a cathode gas inlet connection, and a cathode gas outlet connection are configured, wherein the anode gas inlet connection is configured on the one end plate, while the cathode gas inlet connection is configured on the other end plate.

Abstract: A fuel cell system for a vehicle including at least one reformer, at least one fuel cell and at least one reformer-reformate burner arrangement. The at least one reformer is configured for the production of a reformate as a fuel gas. The at least one fuel cell receives the reformate from the at least one reformer. The at least one reformer-reformate burner arrangement is connected to the fuel cell, where either prior to reaching an anti-condensation temperature of residual hydrocarbons and water vapor the combustion gases, which are produced in the reformer-reformate burner arrangement, are immediately directed into the fuel cell or after reaching the anti-condensation temperature the reformate is immediately directed into the fuel cell.