Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell with a cathode space and an anode space that are separated by a polymer electrolyte membrane. The cathode space is supplied with an oxygen-containing gas, and the anode space is supplied with a hydrogen-containing gas. A gas-generation device is provided in which a hydrogen-rich reformate containing carbon monoxide, is produced from a fuel with the aid of steam reforming and/or partial oxidation. A gas-cleaning stage selectively oxidizes the carbon monoxide in the reformate on a suitable catalyst while oxygen is added; and a heat exchanger which is arranged in the gas-cleaning stage, has a cooling medium flowing through it and serves to dissipate thermal energy. According to the invention, to dissipate the thermal energy, the anode off-gas and/or cathode off-gas emerging from the fuel cell and/or a starting-material gas which is present in the fuel cell system flows through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A process for producing a compact catalytic reactor, in which reaction spaces or heat-transfer spaces are formed by stacking at least partially structured plates alternately one on top of the other, a catalyst is introduced into the reaction spaces, and the plates are provided with a layer of solder at least in the edge region, but not in the region provided with catalyst material, and, after stacking them one on top of the other, are soldered to form a reactor. In addition, the plates may be provided with a bent-up edge region a for easy positioning and for increasing the leak tightness. Finally, an unstructured intermediate plate may also be respectively provided between the structured plates.

Abstract: A device for the selective catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide contained in a hydrogenous gas mixture flow includes at least one CO oxidation stage having at least one inlet opening for feeding oxidizing gas to the gas mixture flow. At least one flow-through body containing a catalyst is arranged in the gas mixture flow in the CO oxidation stage. The flow-through body fills a flow-through cross section of the gas mixture flow in the CO oxidation stage. The device also contains means for pre-setting the temperature of the body as a function of the load.

Abstract: A multistage device for the selective catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide contained in a hydrogen-rich gas-mixture stream includes at least three stages, each stage having at least one CO oxidation chamber. An oxidizing medium may be metered to an inlet side of each stage. A common cooling device is provided for the first two stages and an independent cooling device is provided for the third stage.