Abstract: A method for repairing a leak caused by a hole (3) at the bottom of a container (I) with liquid contents (2), comprising a reversible sealing of the leak in which: -a sealing mixture (5) is poured into the liquid contents in the vicinity of the hole, the sealing mixture (5) comprising a sealing product (7) and solid fillers (8) mixed into the sealing product (7), the sealing product (7) having a density greater than those of the liquid contents and the fillers, and the capability to solidify within the liquid contents (2), -the sealing mixture (5) spreads over the bottom (4) of the container (I) and reaches the hole (3), -fillers (8) filling the hole (3) and enabling the sealing product (7) to solidify over the hole, forming a peelable sealing layer that can then be removed after the container is emptied, before the leak is ultimately repaired.

Abstract: A method for depolluting and regenerating a catalytic fuel-cell electrode, the reaction of the fuel of the cell and capture of at least one polluting species occurring on the catalytic electrode, comprises: a decrease, at a constant first reference current density, in fuel flow, relative to a nominal fuel flow, for a first length of time, leading to a value for the stoichiometric coefficient of fuel lower than 1, to increase oxidation potential on the catalytic electrode and reach oxidation potential of the polluting species, to eliminate it; a cut-off of current for a cut-off time; an increase in flow above nominal flow, leading to a value of stoichiometric coefficient higher than or equal to 1; and an increase in current density until a second current density chosen by operator and possibly identical to or different from the initial reference current density, is reached.

Abstract: The invention concerns an active layer for an electrochemical reactor comprising:—a carbon electronic conductor which is not a fullerene as a support; and —a catalytic system made up of one or more metals and a fullerene. It also concerns an electrochemical reactor integrating such an active layer.

Abstract: A method of using a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, composed of a polymer membrane and electrodes present on either side of the membrane, includes at least one step of reversing the functioning of the cell during use.

Abstract: A method for optimizing fuel feed of a fuel cell stack catalytic electrode, the fuel cell stack containing a cell comprising a proton exchange membrane located between said catalytic electrode and another electrode, operating in superstoichiometric mode, said fuel comprising a carbonyl-containing polluting agent compound reacting on said catalytic electrode, comprises: defining a reference voltage for said cell when fed with a fuel exempt from polluting agent; defining a threshold voltage corresponding to a preset operating voltage of said cell as a percentage of reference voltage; defining a calibration curve for given operating conditions, relating threshold voltage to flow rate of polluting agent and allowing a first parameter of flow rate of polluting agent to be defined; detecting polluting agent to define a second parameter corresponding to content of polluting agent present in said fuel; and determining a maximum stoichiometry coefficient for said fuel stream, depending on said two parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extending the lifetime of a PEMFC fuel cell that includes the step of supplying, at anode 3, a chemical compound capable of reacting with oxygen, but not originating from the fuel.

Abstract: A method for depolluting and regenerating a catalytic fuel-cell electrode, the reaction of the fuel of the cell and capture of at least one polluting species occurring on the catalytic electrode, comprises: a decrease, at a constant first reference current density, in fuel flow, relative to a nominal fuel flow, for a first length of time, leading to a value for the stoichiometric coefficient of fuel lower than 1, to increase oxidation potential on the catalytic electrode and reach oxidation potential of the polluting species, to eliminate it; a cut-off of current for a cut-off time; an increase in flow above nominal flow, leading to a value of stoichiometric coefficient higher than or equal to 1; and an increase in current density until a second current density chosen by operator and possibly identical to or different from the initial reference current density, is reached.

Abstract: A device for determining the CO concentration in a gas containing hydrogen is provided, including a detection electrode in contact with the gas, and a counter electrode, each being in contact with an electrolyte; a current source to deliver a current with a predetermined intensity between the detection electrode and the counter electrode so as to generate, at the detection electrode, an electric potential fluctuating between two threshold values due to the adsorption and desorption of the CO at the detection electrode; a device for measuring the potential; and a calculating device to determine the CO concentration, connected to the current source and to the device for measuring the potential, for calculating a characteristic parameter of the fluctuations of the potential, and for determining the CO concentration from the calculated characteristic parameter and the intensity of the applied current.

Abstract: A method for measuring the reproducibility of N unitary ion exchange membrane/electrode assemblies, where N is an integer strictly greater than 1, each assembly containing an ion exchange membrane located between an anode fed with a first stream and a cathode fed with a second stream and possessing cell voltage characteristics, comprises the following steps: delivering to each unitary assembly a stream containing at least one polluting species for a given time; measuring at least one electrochemical parameter of each assembly; and comparing said measurements so as to evaluate the reproducibility of said assemblies.

Abstract: A method for optimizing fuel feed of a fuel cell stack catalytic electrode, the fuel cell stack containing a cell comprising a proton exchange membrane located between said catalytic electrode and another electrode, operating in superstoichiometric mode, said fuel comprising a carbonyl-containing polluting agent compound reacting on said catalytic electrode, comprises: defining a reference voltage for said cell when fed with a fuel exempt from polluting agent; defining a threshold voltage corresponding to a preset operating voltage of said cell as a percentage of reference voltage; defining a calibration curve for given operating conditions, relating threshold voltage to flow rate of polluting agent and allowing a first parameter of flow rate of polluting agent to be defined; detecting polluting agent to define a second parameter corresponding to content of polluting agent present in said fuel; and determining a maximum stoichiometry coefficient for said fuel stream, depending on said two parameters.

Abstract: The method for supplying power from a fuel cell detects a sulphur oxide in the oxidising gas of the cell and decreases the operating temperature of the cell when the quantity of sulphur oxide detected is greater than a predetermined threshold. The temperature decrease can vary according to the degradation rate of the performances.

Abstract: The invention concerns an active layer for an electrochemical reactor comprising:—a carbon electronic conductor which is not a fullerene as a support; and —a catalytic system made up of one or more metals and a fullerene. It also concerns an electrochemical reactor integrating such an active layer.

Abstract: The method for managing a fuel cell having an active gas flowing in contact with an electrode includes a step of comparing the concentration of a sulfur compound in the active gas with a threshold indicative of a sulfur compound pollution phase and a step of temporary introducing an oxygenated and non-sulfur polluting gas into the active gas if the concentration is higher than the threshold. The polluting gas can be introduced during or after the pollution phase.

Abstract: The method of using a fuel cell (1) of the PEFMC type, composed of a polymer membrane (2) and electrodes (3, 4) present on either side of the membrane (1), according to the invention comprises at least one step of reversing the functioning of the cell during use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining the CO concentration in a gas containing hydrogen, said device comprising a detection electrode (1) in contact with said gas and separated from a counter electrode (2) by an electrolyte (3; 4). In a galvanostatic mode, the fluctuations of the hydrogen oxidation potential of the detection electrode (1) are characterized by a parameter having a value used for obtaining the CO concentration by comparison to reference data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extending the lifetime of a PEMFC fuel cell that includes the step of supplying, at anode 3, a chemical compound capable of reacting with oxygen, but not originating from the fuel.

Abstract: A composting method, and corresponding device, for an organic mass placed in a composting zone, includes the following steps: measuring, with a probe, in at least one measuring point of the composting zone, at least one physic-chemical parameter, and aerating the organic mass. The method is basically characterized in that the probe is inserted in the organic mass, and in that aeration includes a step of sequential blowing, a function of the measuring step. Advantageously, the probe is mobile so that it can cover any point of the composting zone.