Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) Institut für Technische Thermodynamik Stuttgart,
Germany
Booth Number:
F84/1
Representative of the German Aerospace Center, Werner Hoyer, explains the advantages of an oxygen operated system that Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt applies within one of the world's first fuel cell propelled aircraft demonstrator models. The model measures 130cm by 100cm.
Engineers Christian Friedrich and Michael Kruger of DLR's German Aerospace Center explains the benefits of compact heat exchangers for mobile air-conditioning applications to a trade show participant.
Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Andreas Friedrich and
Dr. rer.nat. Rainer Tamme
Company's Interests:
DLR is Germany's national research center for aeronautics and space. Its extensive research and development work is integrated into national and international cooperative ventures.
Approximately 5.100 people are employed in DLR's 27 institutes and facilities at eight locations in Germany.
The Institute of Technical Thermodynamics in Stuttgart (with additional sites in Cologne-Porz and Almeria, Spain) focuses its efforts on the realisation of high-efficiency energy conversion technologies useable and promoting the introduction of renewable energy sources. A total of 145 staff is dedicated to this task, whether through studies, fundamental laboratory research or the development of pilot facilities.
Its topics are:
Solar research
Systems analysis and technology assessment
In electrochemical energy conversion the main fields of investigation are fuel cell technologies for low and high temperatures, regenerative fuel supply and the market introduction of complete fuel cell systems. Starting from fundamental electrochemical research, the institute develops innovative manufacturing processes, diagnostics and system concepts for stationary, mobile and portable applications.
Activities of the division "Thermal Process Technology” are directed to system and component technology in the research area thermal engineering and fuel processing. It covers highly efficient regenerative and recuperative heat exchanger and thermal energy storage systems as well as fuel processing and fuel conversion of hydrogen rich fuels to be applied for various fuel cell and gas turbine applications.
Achievements in 2005:
The activities in the field of fuel cells are mainly devoted to improving power density, increasing life-time and reducing cost of fuel cells and stacks. DLR is mainly active in research and development of fuel cells for aircraft applications, auxiliary power units (APUs) as well as stationary energy supply. Diagnostic methods - like innovative approaches to measure the local current density and temperature with high resolution - have been developed at the Institute. Controls of cell and stacks based on the detailed information obtained from these measurements are under development enabling self-regulating of cells and stacks. DLR has developed proprietary manufacturing methods for low and high temperature fuel cells. For polymer electrolyte fuel cells a low cost, dry rolling technique for membrane-electrode production is used which has shown superior performance especially for direct methanol fuel cells. But also for hydrogen polymer electrolyte fuel cells this manufacturing method stands out regarding its cost-effectiveness and flexibility. Thin layer solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) manufactured by plasma spraying in planar design for temperatures around and below 800 °C have been developed. The metal-supported cells of DLR are especially suited for dynamic operation and are stable against fast temperature changes and redox cycles. Therefore, they are designed to be used as engine independent electrical power sources (Auxiliary Power Units (APU)).
News at HANNOVER FAIR 2006:
The displayed exhibit shows the operation of a fuel cell with special bipolar plates based on printed circuit board technology enabling the measurement of current distributions. An PEFC-system with a power output of 360 W which operates an impeller of an unmanned aircraft “HyFish”. This aircraft is suited to demonstrate the performance of a fuel cell system in a challenging environment and to demonstrate an efficient air-independent fuel cell system for various applications.
My thoughts about hydrogen 
A visit at the BATAAN Nuclear Power Plant in The Philippines, 
NEW! Hans-Olof Nilsson's Off-The-Grid Hydrogen House near Goteborg, Sweden
Carta abierta al Angela Merkel, Canciller Federal de Alemania, fundador y miembros del Comité de Ética Alemán convocado por la Canciller de Alemania para “Asegurar el abastecimiento de energía”
Hans-Olof Nilsson's Off-The-Grid Hydrogen House near Goteborg, Sweden 
Visit at the Italian demonstration plant of MagneGasâ„¢ on February 7th and 8th, 2011
Hydrogen Plant of Emirates Industrial Gases Co. Ltd ( EIGC) at Dubai, UAE 
Huerta Solar en Tabernas, Spain, October 2009 
AFCC Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation, Burnaby, BC, Canada June 2009 
How Airbus conquered the 
The Arecibo Observatory 
Fuel Cell Bus Trial, Perth, Australia 
Dreieich 2012
