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 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 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 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: A resistive film includes carbon (40-95 at. %), one or more metal(s) (4-60 at.%) and hydrogen (1-30 at. %). The film has a resistivity in excess of 1000 .mu..OMEGA.cm and a temperature coefficient TC in the range of between -100 and +100 ppm/K.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resistive film comprising carbon (40-95 at. %), one or more metal(s) (4-60 at. %) and hydrogen (1-30 at. %), said film having a resistivity in excess of 1000.mu..OMEGA.cm and a temperature coefficient TC in the range between -100 and +100 ppm/K.