Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for the chemical-free determination of the chemical oxygen demand (CODs) in aqueous samples. The object of the invention, to develop a method that compensates for the disadvantages of the standard method and at the same time is at least as good as this, in that it can determine the COD quickly and with a high measurement frequency without chemicals and is cheap and has a low personnel requirement and should be simple to automate, is achieved in that the chemical oxygen demand of aqueous samples is determined by non-specific oxidation of water components at an electrode (11), assisted by (ultra)sound from a sound source (15) in a frequency range in which no significant quantities of oxidative species are formed, i.e. below the cavitation threshold.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the coating and modification of textile materials in order to provide them with water-repellent properties. The object of the invention was to hydrophobize textiles loaded with metal oxide, wherein the hydrophobing agent presented here is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, adhering to the metal oxide surface considerably more stably and without the use of additional dispersants and binders, which also takes environmental aspects into account.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method of selectively separating Ga from wastewaters with the aid of a dialysis method. This exploits the particular complexation behaviour of Ga, which forms an unstable tetrahalo complex. This forms only in the case of a sufficiently high halide concentration. Since the halide concentration becomes lower across the membrane, the Ga-tetrahalo complex breaks down in the membrane, as a result of which the Ga is retained. Other metals such as In and Fe do not show this behaviour, and therefore the tetrahalo complexes of these metals can pass through the membrane and hence can be selectively separated off.

Abstract: A device for evaporating a metal melt, the device comprising a first crucible or crucible portion operative to receive the metal melt comprising at least one aperture, from which the evaporated metal may pass off, a second crucible or crucible portion operative to receive a susceptor material, comprising an electromagnetic radiation source, which is arranged such that it can heat susceptor material comprised in the second crucible or crucible portion through incident electromagnetic induction, wherein it does not or only negligibly heats the metal melt in the first crucible or crucible portion, wherein the first crucible or crucible portion and the second crucible or crucible portion are thermally coupled, such that the metal melt can attain a desired temperature.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a method of selectively separating Ga from wastewaters with the aid of a dialysis method. This exploits the particular complexation behaviour of Ga, which forms an unstable tetrahalo complex. This forms only in the case of a sufficiently high halide concentration. Since the halide concentration becomes lower across the membrane, the Ga-tetrahalo complex breaks down in the membrane, as a result of which the Ga is retained. Other metals such as In and Fe do not show this behaviour, and therefore the tetrahalo complexes of these metals can pass through the membrane and hence can be selectively separated off.

Abstract: A toilet seat hinge for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post and a pin extending through the hinge post and defining an axis. The pin is configured to attach the toilet seat to the hinge post for pivotal movement about the axis. The toilet seat hinge also includes a quick release mechanism for releasably securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl. The quick release mechanism includes a member coupled to the pin for pivotal movement about the axis. The member is pivotable about the axis between a first position in which the hinge post is secured to the toilet bowl, and a second position in which the hinge post is released from the toilet bowl.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing ceramic and/or metallic components in which a support structure surrounding at least one free space is formed using a polymer and in which at least one free space is filled in at least one predefinable portion with a plastically deformable or liquid mixture of least one metal powder or ceramic powder and at least one organic binder. In this respect, the mixture contacts the wall of the structure at least in part. Subsequently, in a first thermal treatment, the mixture is transformed into a state having a sufficient strength for maintaining its geometrical shape and a temperature is observed in so doing at which the polymer forming the support structure remains stable in shape. Subsequently, in a second thermal treatment, the temperature is increased and in so doing the polymer forming the support structure is completely decomposed and the metal powder and/or ceramic powder is/are sintered.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochemical method for producing catalytically active powder from mixtures of metallic silver, optionally with silver oxides, which are particularly suitable for use in oxygen-consuming electrodes, in particular for use in chlor-alkali electrolysis. The invention also relates to the use of said electrodes in chlor-alkali electrolysis or fuel cell technology or in metal/air batteries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell system, wherein planar fuel cells are arranged in stacked form and in this respect an integrated post-combustion of non-oxidized components, or of not fully oxidized components, in the exhaust gas can take place. The fuel cells of a system in accordance with the invention have a cathode-electrolyte-anode unit. A bipolar plate is arranged between two respective fuel cells and channels for the supply and removal of a fuel gas to anodes and of an oxidizing agent to cathodes are present. The exhaust gases at the anode side or at the cathode side are introduced via internal additional channels or directly into an afterburner in which a catalytic post-oxidizing of the exhaust gas mixture formed with the exhaust gas at the anode side and at the cathode side takes place.

Abstract: A process for producing oxygen-consuming electrodes, in particular for use in chloralkali electrolysis, which display good transport capability and storage capability. In the process, a silver oxide-containing sheet-like structure as intermediate is electrochemically reduced. Also disclosed are methods of using these electrodes in chloralkali electrolysis or fuel cell technology or in metal-air batteries, and the fuel cells and metal-air batteries produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell system, wherein planar fuel cells are arranged in stacked form and in this respect an integrated post-combustion of non-oxidized components, or of not fully oxidized components, in the exhaust gas can take place. The fuel cells of a system in accordance with the invention have a cathode-electrolyte-anode unit. A bipolar plate is arranged between two respective fuel cells and channels for the supply and removal of a fuel gas to anodes and of an oxidizing agent to cathodes are present. The exhaust gases at the anode side or at the cathode side are introduced via internal additional channels or directly into an afterburner in which a catalytic post-oxidizing of the exhaust gas mixture formed with the exhaust gas at the anode side and at the cathode side takes place.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack with a plurality of fuel cell elements which are layered on one another with separating plates located between the fuel cell elements. Inside channels are formed to supply a combustion gas and discharge the exhaust gas. The fuel cell stack is characterized in that, on a first side of the fuel cell elements, several parallel lengthwise channels are formed for routing of the combustion gas, and on the ends of the channels, a distributor zone is formed which connects the supply channel to the respectively first ends of the lengthwise channels, and a collecting zone is formed which connects the discharge channel to the second ends of the lengthwise channels, and that there is an oxidizer guide on the second side of the fuel cell elements, the oxidizer guide running in the direction of the lengthwise channels.

Abstract: A method for the production of a fuel cell stack, involving the following steps: a) piling up the fuel cell stack (1) and (b) putting together the fuel cell stack (1) while heating and compressing the piled fuel cell stack (1). At least one regulated force is applied to the piled fuel cell stack (1) during the compression thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating apparatus (10) comprising a thermoelectric device with several thermoelement legs (20). A wall (12) and a heat exchanger (26) which are in contact with the thermoelement legs are configured in an electrically insulating manner while the thermal contact is established via electrically conductive layers (22) that interconnect the end zones of the thermoelement legs (20) as desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing for the gas-tight connection of two elements of a fuel cell stack comprising an electrically non-conducting spacer component and at least one solder component solid or viscous over its entire extension at the operating temperature of the fuel cell stack and coupling the spacer component to at least one of the elements to be connected of the fuel cell stack in a gas-tight manner. According to the invention it is envisaged that the spacer component is formed of a ceramic material. The invention further relates to a fuel cell stack in which, according to the invention, it is envisaged that a distribution of forces compressing the fuel cell stack in the axial direction is directly transmitted to at least one of the elements to be connected by the spacer component. The invention further relates to production methods for seals and fuel cell stacks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a repetition unit for a stack of electrochemical cells comprising a cathode-electrolyte-anode unit as well as a first layer and at least one further layer of an interconnector plate contacting it, wherein the first layer is made from sheet metal and is in electrical contact with the cathode-electrolyte-anode unit, while the at least one further layer is omitted in an active region, wherein furthermore the at least one further layer comprises an unshaped planar material and the first layer is also unshaped in a marginal region surrounding the active region and the cathode-electrolyte-anode unit and wherein all the named layers of the interconnector plate are soldered to one another in the marginal region. The invention furthermore relates to a corresponding stack arrangement of electrochemical cells as well as to a method for the manufacture of such a repetition unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a SOFC stack with bipolar plates (5) for connecting the electrodes (3, 4) of two neighboring fuel cells having a ceramic electrolyte, where the bipolar plates (5) have one base plate (6) each, and connected to it, one or more contact elements (7) on one on both sides of the base plate (6). The bipolar plates are characterized in that the base plate (6) is rigid and gas-tight and the contact elements (7) are elastically or plastically deformable, and are arranged or implemented in such a way that they are permeable to gas perpendicularly to the plane of the base plate (6). The bipolar plates (5) mechanically stabilize the SOFC stack and ensure the reliable contacting of the electrodes (3, 4), wherein manufacturing tolerances of the electrodes (3, 4) and relative movements between the components of the stack are compensated by thermal expansion or creep processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a system of operating a high-temperature fuel cell. At least one fuel cell, a reformer, an afterburner and a heat exchanger are present in the system. The total efficiency should be increased with the invention in accordance with the object set. In accordance with the invention, for this purpose, fresh air supplied to the fuel cell(s) at the cathode side is preheated in multiple stages by heat from the afterburning and from the heated air dissipated from the fuel cell(s) at the cathode side by means of a high-temperature heat exchanger.

Abstract: A roof module (10) for a motor vehicle, with an integrated climate control system (12, 14, 16, 18). Furthermore, the roof module (10) includes a fuel cell system (32, 34, 38). The roof module (10) is preferably a pre-mounted complete motor vehicle roof with bordering modules, preferably with extra integrated functions.