Abstract:
An electrochemical cell for extraction of electrical energy is described, which includes a first gas chamber provided with a first gas feeder for a first gas, in which chamber a first electrode is positioned. The cell includes a second gas chamber provided with a further gas feeder for a second gas, in which chamber a second electrode is positioned. The first and second gas chambers are in ion-conducting contact via a diaphragm, and the first and second electrodes form an anode and cathode, respectively, of the electrochemical cell. The first electrode functioning as an anode, the diaphragm, the first gas chamber, and/or the first gas feeder contain an oxygen-storing material.
Abstract:
A moisture exchange module has a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fiber membranes and at least one line element for supplying a gas stream that flows through the hollow fibers in an inner flow. The at least one line element opens out into an inflow region, which is of at least approximately the same cross section as the bundle of hollow fiber membranes. According to the present invention, the at least one line element opens out into the inflow region at an angle of from 60° to 120° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes without the longitudinal axes of the one line element and of the bundle of hollow fiber membranes intersecting one another. An annular diverter means for diverting the gas flow are provided between the cross section of the line elements through which gas can flow and the inflow region. The diverter means are arranged in such a way that an annular gap is formed, which annular gap is connected to the at least one line element and, on its side remote from the bundle of hollow fiber membranes, is connected to the inflow region.
Abstract:
A moisture exchange module includes a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fibre membranes through which a first gas stream can flow. The bundle of hollow fibre membranes is arranged in a housing, the housing being provided with line elements for supplying and discharging a second gas stream, which flows around the hollow fibre membranes. Between the bundle of hollow fibre membranes and the housing there is at least one flow space, which extends over at least approximately the entire length of that region of the bundle of hollow fibre membranes through which the first gas stream can flow. The at least one flow space surrounds only a small part of the circumference of the bundle of hollow fibre membranes, so that ultimately a moisture exchange operated in cross-current mode is formed. This can preferably be used for the humidification of feed air for fuel cell systems.
Abstract:
In a method for regulating a boost pressure of an engine which has a compressor, an actual boost pressure and a setpoint boost pressure are used as input parameters. The setpoint boost pressure is regulated in such a way that a pressure ratio in the compressor does not exceed a limit pressure ratio. A reference boost pressure is ascertained based on a speed of the engine and a load of the engine. A flow and/or a pressure of air supplied to the engine is/are detected and an associated flow signal and/or pressure signal is generated. The smaller of the reference boost pressure and a limit boost pressure is used as a setpoint boost pressure. The limit boost pressure is ascertained based on a limit boost pressure ratio and a speed of the compressor.
Abstract:
The subject of the present invention relates to a method and a protector for reducing degradation of fuel cell systems at transitions in operation, in particular at electrodes or catalysts in a combustion chamber of a stack of a PEM fuel cell system in startup and shutoff events of the fuel cell system. A switchable material delivery device is provided for varying a delivery of material to the fuel cell system, so that a transition from a first state of the fuel cell system to a second state of the fuel cell system can be initiated, such that a potential difference between different electrodes can be effected. At least one reducing mechanism is provided for reducing the potential difference between the different electrodes during the transition, in which the reducing mechanism includes at least one compensating device for an unequal gas distribution by reducing the proportions causing degradation, to reduce degradation. The compensation device includes at least one short-circuiting unit, with which the different electrodes can be short-circuited, in order to reduce the potential difference.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a fuel cell system with at least one fuel cell for electrochemical conversion of two reactants. The fuel cell has two electrode areas, having a first supply line for supplying a first reactant to a first electrode area, and an outlet line, for emission of residual gas from the first electrode area. The residual gas has an electrochemically unconsumed portion of the first reactant, a recirculation element, for feeding the residual gas from the outlet line into the first supply line, and an outlet valve in order to emit the residual gas into an area surrounding the fuel cell system. The invention provides for the fuel cell system to have a monitoring unit in order to control the outlet valve. In particular, the monitoring unit opens the outlet valve when the energy required to feed the residual gas by the recirculation element exceeds an energy potential of the first reactant which is present in the residual gas.
Abstract:
A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell unit for generating electrical energy, a unit for storing or dispensing electrical energy, an electrical consumer for consuming electrical energy, a diagnostic unit for ascertaining a functional capability of the at least one fuel cell unit during a diagnosis phase, and a control unit for determining an electrical power generated at least during the diagnosis phase by the at least one fuel cell unit.
Abstract:
A fuel cell system has at least one fuel cell unit for generating electrical energy, a unit for storing or dispensing electrical energy, an electrical consumer for consuming electrical energy, a diagnostic unit for ascertaining a functional capability of the at least one fuel cell unit during a diagnosis phase, and a control unit for determining an electrical power generated at least during the diagnosis phase by the at least one fuel cell unit.
Abstract:
A moisture exchange module has a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fibre membranes and at least one line element for supplying a gas stream that flows through the hollow fibres in an inner flow. The at least one line element opens out into an inflow region, which is of at least approximately the same cross section as the bundle of hollow fibre membranes. According to the present invention, the at least one line element opens out into the inflow region at an angle of from 60° to 120° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bundle of hollow fibre membranes without the longitudinal axes of the one line element and of the bundle of hollow fibre membranes intersecting one another. An annular diverter means for diverting the gas flow are provided between the cross section of the line elements through which gas can flow and the inflow region. The diverter means are arranged in such a way that an annular gap is formed, which annular gap is connected to the at least one line element and, on its side remote from the bundle of hollow fibre membranes, is connected to the inflow region.
Abstract:
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a moisture exchange module comprises a moisture-permeable hollow fiber membrane shell space with a bundle of moisture-permeable hollow fiber membranes being arranged in the shell space for receiving a first gas stream. A conduit member is coupled to the shell space for supplying a second gas stream for flow around the hollow fibers. Pursuant to a feature of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a mechanism is arranged and configured in the conduit member to produce a swirling motion in the second gas stream.