Abstract: Described is a fuel cell system wherein at least one fuel cell (8) is supplied with a compressed oxidation gas at least intermittently and/or at least partially, as well as a method for starting up a fuel cell system, said method comprising the following steps: a valve (6) connecting the at least one fuel cell (8) to a compressed gas source (1) supplying a compressed oxidation gas is opened; fuel is supplied to the at least one fuel cell (8); it is checked that the fuel cell system has reached an operating point at which sufficient power is generated for autonomous operation of the fuel cell system and for the consumers to be supplied; and a discrete or gradual switching is carried out from the supply of a compressed oxidation gas stored in the compressed gas storage source (1) to the ambient air supplied by a fan (5). The use of the fuel cell system in an emergency power supply is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing hydrogen, which comprises: a. a heated steam reforming stage (1) with a reforming catalyst to convert gaseous or vaporizable hydrocarbons and water into hydrogen, carbon monoxide and further reformer products; b. at least one stage downstream of the steam reforming stage for the catalytic conversion of the mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and excess steam leaving the steam reforming stage (shift stage) (2); and c. a fine purification stage (3) downstream of the shift stage(s) for the catalytic lowering of the residual carbon monoxide content of the conversion products by selective methanization, is described. In the apparatus, the shift stage (2) and the fine purification stage (3) are configured as a unitary hollow body (exothermic catalyst stage).

Abstract: A fuel cell system is described wherein at least one fuel cell is supplied at least intermittently with a gas mixture, particularly one made up of a compressed oxidation gas and ambient air, which is mixed in a Venturi nozzle, whereby the compressed gas can entrain ambient air at the Venturi nozzle and can guide it or guides it to the at least one fuel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel-cell installation comprising: a reformer stage, which can be heated by a gas burner in order to carry out the water-vapour reformation of hydrocarbon and water-vapour into hydrogen and additional reformer products; at least one conversion stage, which is connected downstream of the reformer stage for the chemical preparation of the reformer products; and at least one fuel-cell stack, which is connected downstream of the conversion stage and comprises a plurality of anodes and cathodes with corresponding supply and discharge connections for converting the hydrogen into water to generate an electric current and heat. The fuel-cell stack is configured as a high-temperature fuel-cell stack with an operating temperature between about 100° C. and about 200° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion-conductive polymer membrane for a fuel cell, whereby the polymer membrane is configured from a polymer-forming hydrocarbon material and to a method for producing the same. The membrane also has a metal-containing gel which has been hydrolysed and/or condensed from a metal alkoxide starting material and which is deposited in the polymer and/or is chemically bonded to the polymer. The proportion of metal alkoxide by weight, in relation to the membrane, lies between 25% and 1%.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing hydrogen. Said apparatus comprises a reformer stage for converting hydrocarbon gas and water to hydrogen and other reformed products. At least one of the catalyst stages mounted downstream of the reformer stage is provided for the catalytic conversion of the reformed products. The apparatus also comprises a methanation stage which is mounted downstream of the catalyst stage and through which the medium flows in an axial direction. A flow guidance housing for a coolant extends in the axial direction of flow and is associated with said methanation stage. According to the invention, the flow guidance housing comprises at least two, preferably three or more cooling zones which have different cooling effects and which are disposed one after the other in the axial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing hydrogen, which comprises: a. a heated steam reforming stage (1) with a reforming catalyst to convert gaseous or vaporizable hydrocarbons and water into hydrogen, carbon monoxide and further reformer products; b. at least one stage downstream of the steam reforming stage for the catalytic conversion of the mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and excess steam leaving the steam reforming stage (shift stage) (2); and c. a fine purification stage (3) downstream of the shift stage(s) for the catalytic lowering of the residual carbon monoxide content of the conversion products by selective methanization, is described. In the apparatus, the shift stage (2) and the fine purification stage (3) are configured as a unitary hollow body (exothermic catalyst stage).

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion-conductive polymer membrane for a fuel cell, whereby the polymer membrane is configured from a polymer-forming hydrocarbon material and to a method for producing the same. The membrane also has a metal-containing gel which has been hydrolysed and/or condensed from a metal alkoxide starting material and which is deposited in the polymer and/or is chemically bonded to the polymer. The proportion of metal alkoxide by weight, in relation to the membrane, lies between 25% and 1%.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ion-conductive polymer membrane for a fuel cell, whereby the polymer membrane is configured from a polymer-forming hydrocarbon material and to a method for producing the same. The membrane also has a metal-containing gel which has been hydrolysed and/or condensed from a metal alkoxide starting material and which is deposited in the polymer and/or is chemically bonded to the polymer. The proportion of metal alkoxide by weight, in relation to the membrane, lies between 25% and 1%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the generation of hydrogen, comprising; (a) a heated steam reformation stage, with a reformer catalyst for the conversion of gaseous or vaporizable hydrocarbons and water into hydrogen, carbon monoxide and further reformation products; (b) at least one stage, arranged after the steam reformation stage, for the catalytic conversion of the mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and excess steam emanating from the steam reformation stage (shift step); and (c) a fine purification stage after the conversion stages for the catalytic reduction of the residual carbon monoxide content in the conversion products. The invention is characterized in that the conversion stages and the fine purification stage are each embodied as hollow bodies with an annular chamber for housing the corresponding catalyst.

Abstract: The invention provides a combined heat and power plant with an integrated gas production system. The combined heat and power plant contains a steam reformer heated with a gas burner which converts a mixture of hydrocarbons and water vapour into a reformate gas stream containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The plant further contains a reactor system with several stages for removing carbon monoxide from the reformate gas stream. The plant also contains a heat exchanger for removing heat energy from the reformate gas stream and a fuel cell unit for producing electrical energy by catalytic reaction of the hydrogen contained in the reformate gas with oxygen in the fuel cell, wherein the reformate gas stream is supplied to the anode in the fuel cell unit and the anode waste gas is taken to the gas burner of the steam reformer as fuel, via a gas pipe.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes at least one cell that contains a proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane, which separates an anode compartment and a cathode compartment. The membrane is comprised of a thermoplastic polymer that has a permanent service temperature of at least 100° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a combined heat and power plant with an integrated gas production system. The combined heat and power plant contains a steam reformer heated with a gas burner which converts a mixture of hydrocarbons and water vapour into a reformate gas stream containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The plant further contains a reactor system with several stages for removing carbon monoxide from the reformate gas stream. The plant also contains a heat exchanger for removing heat energy from the reformate gas stream and a fuel cell unit for producing electrical energy by catalytic reaction of the hydrogen contained in the reformate gas with oxygen in the fuel cell, wherein the reformate gas stream is supplied to the anode in the fuel cell unit and the anode waste gas is taken to the gas burner of the steam reformer as fuel, via a gas pipe.