Abstract: A method is provided for combusting a metal M, selected from alkali, alkaline earth metals, aluminum, and zinc, and alloys and/or mixtures thereof, using a combustion gas. The combustion is performed using a porous burner including a porous tube as the burner. A device for performing such method is also disclosed, as well as the use of a porous burner including a porous tube as the burner for combusting the metal M using the combustion gas.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating offgas from solid and/or liquid reaction products in the combustion of a metal M selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, Al and Zn, and mixtures thereof, with a combustion gas. In a reaction step, the combustion gas is combusted with the metal M, forming offgas and further solid and/or liquid reaction products, and, in a separation step, the offgas is separated from the solid and/or liquid reaction products. In the separation step, a carrier gas is additionally added and the carrier gas is removed as a mixture with the offgas.

Abstract: An energy system, in at least one embodiment, includes an energy production device for production of energy for the energy system with the aid of an working medium, a superconductor for low-loss conduction of electrical energy in the energy system, and a cooling device for cooling of the superconductor with the aid of a liquid phase of a cooling medium. The liquid phase of the cooling medium is, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, produced in the cooling device by condensation of a gaseous phase of the cooling medium, with the condensation of the gaseous phase of the cooling medium taking place by heat transfer from the gaseous phase of the cooling medium to the working medium. The overall efficiency of the energy system can improved by the heat transfer step.

Abstract: An energy system, in at least one embodiment, includes an energy production device for production of energy for the energy system with the aid of an working medium, a superconductor for low-loss conduction of electrical energy in the energy system, and a cooling device for cooling of the superconductor with the aid of a liquid phase of a cooling medium. The liquid phase of the cooling medium is, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, produced in the cooling device by condensation of a gaseous phase of the cooling medium, with the condensation of the gaseous phase of the cooling medium taking place by heat transfer from the gaseous phase of the cooling medium to the working medium. The overall efficiency of the energy system can improved by the heat transfer step.

Abstract: A permanent magnetic element is included in an endoscopy capsule that is magnetically navigable in a hollow organ. At least one physiological sensor, such as a conductivity sensor, is provided in a subregion of the surface. The physiological sensor may be have a lateral cylindrical surface and transmit a signal to the outside. The capsule may be set rotating by magnetic forces to enable 360 degrees of detection. Alternatively, the sensor can extend around the entire periphery of the capsule surface.

Abstract: The air supplied to a fuel cell module is pumped with a compressor that has a moisturizing function in order to provide sufficiently moisturized oxidant. The compressor operates at very low pressure and the moisturization corresponds approximately to the dew point at the cooling water outlet temperature. If adequate moisturizing of the oxidant is no longer occurring at the defined low pressure, the input pressure is increased and the oxidant output is choked in a regulated manner. A corresponding fuel cell assembly with a polymer electrolyte membrane, i.e., a PEM fuel cell system includes the corresponding pump compressor and a controlled throttle valve at the exit side.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell system which uses a combustion gas and an oxidant, must take care to ensure sufficient humidification of the combustion gas by evaporating humidifying water. The energy source for the evaporation of the combustion gas and/or oxidant is the heat generated by the coil temperature of an electric motor used to transport the gas.

Abstract: The method for determining the alcohol concentration in the alcohol/water mixture of fuel cells which are operated with this mixture, is particularly suited for direct methanol fuel cells. A part of the alcohol/water mixture is separated off and is transported against a predetermined pressure. The part of the mixture that has been separated off is heated until it boils, the boiling temperature is measured and, from this measurement, the mole fraction of the alcohol in the mixture is determined.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is removed from a water/fuel mixture, especially in a fuel cell. To this end, a separation installation that works according to the principle of the fuel cell is used for removing the carbon dioxide with the help of a fuel- and water-permeable membrane. The corresponding device has a fuel cell unit that is used as the separation installation and that forms part of the entire installation.

Abstract: In a fuel cell, particularly a direct methanol fuel cell, in which a waste gas develops at the anode and at the cathode, a carbon dioxide concentration is measured in the waste gas. The carbon dioxide concentration is used to determine the loss of fuel through the membrane of the fuel cell. To this end, the corresponding device is provided with a carbon dioxide sensor that is arranged inside the gas stream.

Abstract: Particularly in the case of a fuel cell, the waste gas contains, in essence, carbon dioxide and methanol. According to the invention, the carbon dioxide/methanol gas mixture is directed through a porous material and is scrubbed out in the counter-current flow using water. The device utilizes a gas scrubber to separate out the fuel.

Abstract: Methanol forms the fuel of the fuel cells and it is supplied to the system. An anode fluid including waste gases, such as carbon dioxide or the like, have to be led away after combustion. The carbon dioxide, which develops on the anode, is separated while it is hot from the anode fluid after leaving the anode of the fuel cell stack. The vaporous fuel separated together with the carbon dioxide is depleted in a counter-current flow using cold water. The cold water is recovered in the condenser of the cathode waste gas, and the resulting warmer water is admixed to the anode liquid. In the installation, a cooler with a CO2 trap arranged downstream is provided at least for the anode fluid, and a unit for carrying out rectification provided with which fuel contained there is separated and returned into the fuel circuit.

Abstract: To ensure a performance-based regulation of a fuel cell, the use of fuel-mixtures with a defined flow is required. Mixtures of this type are formed by pumping water through a hollow body, which, at least in certain sections, has a wall formed of porous material. The fuel is pumped into a chamber on the other side of the porous wall, at a defined flow rate. As a result of the pressure difference, the fuel permeates the porous wall over its entire surface into the water flowing past on the other side of said porous wall, thus creating a homogeneous mixture. In the corresponding device, at least certain segments of the hollow body have a porous wall. A device of this type is preferably used in direct methanol fuel cells, for which the operating temperature and the operating pressure can be predefined.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide is to be removed from the water and fuel mixture present in a fuel cell. A separation installation, which operates according to the principle of electro-osmosis, is used for carrying out the separation. The separation installation has a membrane that is permeable to both fuel and water. The corresponding device has a separation installation, which operates according to the principle of electro-osmosis and forms part of the complete fuel-cell facility.

Abstract: In a method for determining the alcohol concentration in the alcohol/water mixture of fuel cells that are operated with this mixture, in particular for direct methanol fuel cells, the alcohol/water mixture is pumped through a constriction. The differential pressure between the entry to and exit from the constriction and, if appropriate, the flow velocity of the mixture through the constriction are measured, and the alcohol concentration is determined therefrom.

Abstract: The method determines the fuel concentration in fluidic fuels for fuel cells, and in particular the alcohol concentration in an alcohol/water mixture for fuel cells operated with the mixture, such as direct methanol fuel cells. The alcohol/water mixture is passed through a heating section at a constant flow rate, a known quantity of heat is supplied to the mixture, the temperature difference between the entry and exit of the heating section is measured and the alcohol concentration is determined therefrom.

Abstract: A fuel cell is described which, depending on an operating mode is at times a direct methanol fuel cell and at times a hydrogen fuel cell. For this purpose, an internal reformer layer is fitted in each fuel cell unit, at which layer, given a sufficiently high pressure and/or temperature, the reforming reaction takes place, during which the fuel methanol/water is reacted to form hydrogen. The configuration of the reformer catalyst layer inside the cell ensures that the heat of the anode is used for reforming, and conversely the anode is cooled by the endothermic reforming reaction.

Abstract: In a method for determining the alcohol concentration in the alcohol/water mixture of fuel cells that are operated with the mixture, in particular direct methanol fuel cells, the measured variable being volume-dependent, the carbon dioxide which is formed during operation of the fuel cells is dissolved in the alcohol/water mixture by increasing the pressure acting on the mixture.

Abstract: In a method for determining the alcohol concentration in the alcohol/water mixture of fuel cells that are operated with this mixture, in particular for direct methanol fuel cells, the alcohol/water mixture is pumped through a constriction. The differential pressure between the entry to and exit from the constriction and, if appropriate, the flow velocity of the mixture through the constriction are measured, and the alcohol concentration is determined therefrom.

Abstract: The fuel cell installation is operated at temperatures between 80° C. and 300° C. and ensures that the efficiency is optimized, since the waste heat from the fuel cell stack is utilized at least in some other way. For the purpose, there is provided an evaporator upstream of the fuel cell stack. At least one line is connected to the fuel cell stack for rendering available a heat content from at least a part of the fuel cell stack to be utilized in one or more further units of the installation.