INTEGRAL PEM FUEL CELL HEATING MODULE AND THE USE THEREOF, AND PEM FUEL CELL STACKS

The invention relates to an integral polymer electrolytic membrane (PEM) fuel cell heating module, comprising a PEM fuel cell stack, wherein each fuel cell in the stack has a polymer electrolytic membrane (3), an anode on one side of the membrane and a cathode (4) on the other side, a gas distribution layer (5) on the anode side, a gas distribution layer (7) on the cathode side, in addition to bipolar plates (6) bordering on the gas distribution layers (5, 7). The anode is configured as a three-layer anode with a CO and/or methanol vapor oxidation-selective catalyst layer (1) on the side facing away from the membrane, and an electrochemically active layer (2) on the side facing the membrane, in addition to a contact layer made of porous carbon paper between the layers (1) and (2). The gas distribution layer (7) has air ducts with open inlets and outlets. Said module also comprises a thermally insulating gas-tight, tubular, hollow jacket (M) surrounding the PEM fuel cell stack, a methanol reformer (R) which produces a hydrogen combustion gas containing CO and methanol vapor from water vapor and methanol. Water vapor production of and reformer heating are produced by a catalytic residual gas burner (B). The module also contains a circulation fan (L) arranged inside the hollow jacket (M) and circulating damp air through the air ducts (15) of the gas distribution layer (7). The inventive PEM fuel cell heating module is suitable for use in a fuel cell installation for supplying household energy.