Abstract:
A method for controlling a fuel cell system that has a high-pressure gas generating system so as to avoid mechanical damage to a fuel cell. In the event of a malfunction of a diaphragm of a reformer unit, the differential pressure between the side of the diaphragm of the reformer unit facing the anode side and the cathode side of the fuel cell module is held below a predefined value. In addition fuel cell systems are provided for holding the differential pressure may contain a pressure relief valve, which may be controlled by a sensor, a bursting disk, or a flow resistance, or another controllable valve on the low-pressure side upstream from the anode side of fuel cell unit.
Abstract:
A membrane module for hydrogen separation includes a stack of flat membrane packs disposed adjacent one another so as not to exert a force on one another and a rotationally symmetrical pressure shell enclosing the stack of flat membrane packs. A feed space for a reformate gas is disposed between every two membrane packs in the stack. Each membrane pack has a pair of membrane assemblies and a support structure disposed therebetween and each membrane assembly includes a hydrogen-selective flat membrane supported by at least one membrane frame.
Abstract:
A method and a system for resistance seam welding of a foil and at least one foil support of a fuel cell system. During welding, the thin foil, together with the thicker foil support, is moved relative to the roller electrode while resting on a flat support element. In a suitable welding system, a counter-electrode is designed as a flat support element, such as a welding strip, that is displaceable relative to the roller electrode, the roller electrode being in rolling contact with the foil support, but not with the foil. Depending on whether one foil is to be welded to one or two foil frames, the support element may be designed having a high or a low specific electric resistance.
Abstract:
A gas generation system includes a reformer for producing a hydrogen-containing reformate gas using raw materials, at least a first of the raw materials containing carbon and hydrogen, a separator device configured to selectively separate the hydrogen-containing reformate gas into hydrogen and a residual gas, and a recirculation system. The recirculation system recirculates an amount of the residual gas from a first location downstream of the separator device to a second location upstream from the separator device. The gas generation system may be used to produce a hydrogen-containing gas from liquid hydrocarbons, such as gasoline or diesel oil, for operating a fuel cell. The fuel cell may be part of a drive device or of an auxiliary power unit, in particular in a motor vehicle.
Abstract:
A tubular membrane module includes a a tubular jacket delimiting a flow path for a fluid containing a plurality of components, a plurality of tubular membrane bodies bundled together in a bundle and disposed in the tubular jacket, and at least one interspace element disposed between at least two adjacent membrane bodies of the plurality of membrane bodies. Each of the tubular membrane bodies has a surface and is permeable for a first component of the plurality of components. The interspace elements reduces a diffusion path of the first component to the surface of the membrane bodies.