Appliances for heating food and / or emitting heat to the surroundings

Abstract

The invention relates to an appliance (1) for heating food, in particular a grill, and / or for emitting heat to the surroundings, in particular a heater, comprising at least one supply unit (2) for supplying hydrogen and at least one reaction unit (14) for producing heat from hydrogen. According to the invention, the reaction unit (14) is designed as a catalytic unit for flameless combustion of hydrogen by means of at least one catalyst (30) for catalyzing the hydrogen, and / or the supply unit (2) comprises an electrolyzer (3) for producing hydrogen and a water supply for supplying water to the electrolyzer (3), the water supply having a collection device (6) for collecting the water and / or a treatment device (8, 8', 8'') for treating the water. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the appliance (1) for heating food and / or emitting heat to the surroundings.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an appliance for heating food and / or for generating heat, in particular for radiating heat and / or for blowing hot air, in particular a grill and / or a radiant heater, which comprises at least one supply unit for supplying hydrogen and at least one reaction unit for producing heat from the hydrogen. [Background technology]

[0002] Appliances for heating food, in particular grills, and appliances for emitting heat, in particular radiating heat and / or blowing hot air into the surroundings, in particular radiant heaters, are well known in the prior art. Fossil fuels, such as propane gas, are often used to power these types of appliances. As a more environmentally friendly alternative to these types of appliances, appliances using hydrogen are also well known in the prior art.

[0003] For example, WO 2011 / 062513 describes a cooking appliance that uses an electrolytic cell to generate combustible fuel from a water source, which is then combusted with air added by a burner. A disadvantage of this cooking appliance is that a source of water that can be used in the electrolytic cell must always be available. Also, burning hydrogen as an open flame poses a risk. Unlike fossil fuels, the flame produced when hydrogen is burned is essentially colorless. Therefore, it is difficult to make the user aware that the cooking appliance is in use, which can result in serious injury.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art, in particular to provide an appliance for heating food and / or for emitting heat, in particular for radiating heat and / or for blowing hot air, to the surroundings, which ensures safe operation and thus low operating costs and / or can be used anywhere.

[0005] The object of the present invention is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments can be obtained from the dependent claims and the drawings. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention relates to an appliance for heating food and / or for generating heat, in particular for radiating heat and / or for blowing hot air, preferably outdoors and / or indoors, to the surroundings, which comprises at least one supply unit for supplying hydrogen and at least one reaction unit for generating heat from the hydrogen.

[0007] The devices for heating food may be considered to be, for example, cooking appliances, hot plates, grills, and / or ovens, especially outdoors and / or indoors. The devices for emitting heat, especially radiating heat, and / or blowing hot air to the surroundings may be considered to be, for example, space heaters, radiant heaters, fan heaters, chimney stoves, stationary heaters, patio heaters, and / or open fireplaces, especially outdoors and / or indoors. Outdoor and / or indoor should be considered to mean the places where the appliances can operate. Outdoor should be considered to mean, for example, that the appliances are outdoors and / or outside. Indoor should be considered to mean that the appliances are inside a building, a house, a tent, a boat, a camper, and / or a trailer home.

[0008] Hydrogen is fed as a reactant gas mixture together with air and oxygen to the reaction unit where it reacts with the air and / or oxygen to obtain the thermal energy required to heat food and / or to generate heat to the surroundings, in particular to radiate heat and / or to blow hot air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the invention, the reaction unit is designed as a catalytic unit for the flameless combustion of hydrogen, with at least one catalyst catalyzing hydrogen. Additionally or alternatively, according to the invention, the supply unit comprises an electrolyzer for producing hydrogen and / or a water supply for supplying water to the electrolyzer. The water supply preferably comprises a collection device for collecting water, in particular rainwater, and / or a treatment device, preferably for treating water.

[0010] If the equipment has a reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit, the thermal energy is generated by catalyzing the reaction gas mixture. The reaction gas mixture is catalyzed by a catalyst in the reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit, so that the thermal energy is generated flamelessly. The hydrogen content of the reaction gas mixture supplied is preferably outside the explosive range, in particular less than 4% by volume. As a result, explosions of the reaction gas mixture can be prevented.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, if the supply unit comprises an electrolytic cell, the electrolytic cell splits the water delivered by the water supply into hydrogen and oxygen by water electrolysis. If the water supply preferably comprises a collecting device, then for example rainwater can be collected. For this purpose, it is advantageous if at least the collecting device of the water supply is arranged outdoors, so that rainwater can be received and / or collected when it rains. The collecting device may in particular indirectly supply water for electrolysis. This has the advantage that the device can be operated independently of its installation location. Water can also be additionally collected from the surroundings, so that the operating costs of the device can be reduced. Additionally or alternatively, if the water supply comprises a treatment device, contaminated water, such as rainwater, groundwater, surface water and / or raw water, can be at least partially treated to make it suitable for electrolysis in the electrolytic cell. This treated water can be referred to as pure water. During the treatment, larger and / or smaller contaminants can be removed. It is also conceivable that additives necessary for water electrolysis are added to the water in the treatment device. As a result, at least some of the untreated contaminated and / or unsuitable water may be used for water electrolysis.

[0012] When the equipment comprises a reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit, the reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit advantageously comprises a catalytic combustion chamber in which the catalyst is arranged.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the catalyst is arranged in the combustion chamber so as to form a permeable partition dividing the combustion chamber into two sub-chambers, in which case the catalyst advantageously takes the form of a permeable grid.

[0014] In an advantageous development of the invention, the catalyst is permeable, in particular in the form of a lattice, and / or is hydrophilic, preferably made of titanium and / or has a metal oxide / platinum coating.

[0015] It is furthermore advantageous if the combustion chamber has a mixture inlet for an air-hydrogen mixture, especially in the first sub-chamber, and an outlet opening, especially in the second sub-chamber, for a catalytically heated air stream, which is used to heat food and / or generate heat for heating buildings and / or people.

[0016] It is furthermore advantageous if the mixer inlet is arranged at a first longitudinal end of the combustion chamber and the outlet opening is arranged at an opposite, second end of the combustion chamber.

[0017] In an advantageous development of the invention, the reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit has an auxiliary heating system, in particular of the electric type, for heating and / or drying the catalyst. Advantageously, the auxiliary heating system takes the form of a jacket heating element and / or extends around the area of ​​the catalyst in the combustion chamber. When starting up the equipment, agglomeration may occur, particularly on the hydrophilic catalyst, which may be an obstacle to a reliable start of catalytic flameless combustion. The auxiliary heating system ensures that the catalyst is heated and / or dried before and / or during the start-up step, so that a reliable start of combustion in the reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit can be achieved.

[0018] For the purpose of monitoring the start-up process and / or the flameless combustion of the catalyst, it is advantageous if the reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit has a temperature sensor. Preferably, this temperature sensor is located in or in the area of ​​the combustion chamber. The temperature sensor is used to indicate whether the combustion process is ongoing and heat is being produced. Additionally or alternatively, the temperature sensor or, in particular, its data from the controller may be used for closed-loop control of the amount of hydrogen supplied and / or the amount of air supplied.

[0019] The reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit advantageously comprises a mixing chamber into which hydrogen and air are fed and mixed to produce an air-hydrogen mixture, the mixing chamber further advantageously having an air inlet opening, a hydrogen inlet and / or a mixture outlet.

[0020] Advantageously, structural simplification can be ensured if the inlet opening is arranged at a first end in the longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber and the mixture outlet is arranged at an opposite second end of the mixing chamber and / or the hydrogen inlet is arranged between said ends.

[0021] In order to ensure that the hydrogen flowing into the mixing chamber is mixed with the air also flowing in, it is advantageous for the mixing chamber to have, from the inlet opening towards the mixture outlet, a first section, which tapers in particular conically, a second section, which is in particular cylindrical and / or has a constant diameter, and / or a third section, which widens in particular conically, whereby it is further advantageous for the hydrogen inlet to be arranged in the region of the second section.

[0022] It is advantageous if the reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit has a fan and / or a bypass air opening for supplying air to the mixing chamber, in particular via the inlet opening.

[0023] It is also advantageous for the reaction unit in the form of a catalytic converter to have a sensor for determining the mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture, whereby it is also advantageous for the catalytic converter to have a sensor chamber, which is preferably arranged between the mixing chamber and the combustion chamber, and preferably the sensor for determining the mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture is arranged in this sensor chamber.

[0024] The structural complexity of the device can be reduced if the mixing chamber, the sensor chamber and / or the combustion chamber are in the form of a tube, at one end of which the inlet opening is arranged and at the other end the outlet opening. For easier maintenance and repair, it is furthermore advantageous if the tube has several tube sections, which can in particular be detachably connected to one another and preferably comprise at least one of the chambers. Thus, the tube may, for example, have a first tube section comprising the mixing chamber, a second tube section comprising the sensor chamber and / or a third tube section comprising the combustion chamber. These tube sections are detachably connected to one another in correspondingly designed connection areas. Preferably, the connection areas are in the form of flanges that are bolted.

[0025] In order to ensure a reliable initiation of flameless combustion and / or a reliable catalytic flameless combustion, it is advantageous if the reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit has a controller for open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture and / or of the auxiliary heating system. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the controller is connected to a sensor for determining the mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture, in particular a temperature sensor arranged in the combustion chamber, a fan and / or a hydrogen valve for controlling the supply of hydrogen. The heat output of the appliance can be controlled in an open-loop system by the controller, preferably based on the amount of air and / or the amount of hydrogen supplied to the mixing chamber. Preferably, the amount of air is regulated by the controller, which appropriately activates the fan. Additionally or alternatively, the amount of hydrogen is regulated by a hydrogen valve, which is appropriately activated by the controller. For the temperature regulation, the controller receives a setpoint value, in particular a setpoint temperature, from the user. This value can be transmitted and / or predefined by the user, preferably via the appliance input / output interface of the controller. The controller preferably receives the actual temperature via a temperature sensor and adjusts the actual temperature to a target temperature predefined by a user by appropriately activating a fan and / or a hydrogen valve. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may determine a target mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture, in particular based on the predefined target temperature. Additionally or alternatively, this target mixture ratio may be specific to the controller. Additionally or alternatively, a target mixture ratio determined mathematically and / or empirically and correlated with the target temperature may be stored in the memory of the controller. The controller is preferably designed to adjust the actual mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture detected by the sensor to a target value based on the target mixture ratio.

[0026] In order to make the supply of hydrogen adjustable, the reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit advantageously comprises a hydrogen valve which can be operated by a controller and which allows the flow of hydrogen into the mixing chamber to be controlled in an open loop system.

[0027] Advantageously, the supply unit comprises a compressor to compress the hydrogen produced. The hydrogen produced by the electrolyser is often at low pressure. The hydrogen leaving the electrolyser is sent to the compressor to be compressed so that it can then be efficiently stored and / or utilised.

[0028] It is further advantageous if the supply unit comprises at least one accumulator for storing hydrogen. The accumulator preferably takes the form of a pressure accumulator and / or a metal hydride accumulator. Hydrogen produced by the electrolyser and / or compressed by the compressor may be stored by the accumulator. In particular, to fill the pressure accumulator, high gas pressures, which may be provided by a compressor, are required and / or should be desirable.

[0029] If a metal hydride accumulator and / or a very large pressure accumulator is used as the accumulator, there may already be a sufficient amount of hydrogen supplied uncompressed to the reaction unit. A metal hydride accumulator is an accumulator that combines hydrogen with a metal mixture by a chemical storage process. In order for the hydrogen to be combined, this combination must be caused by supplying heat. The thermal energy required to release the hydrogen from the metal hydride accumulator and then use it in the reaction unit may be provided by heated air exhausted from the equipment and / or by another heat source.

[0030] Advantageously, at least one accumulator takes the form of a main accumulator and / or an intermediate accumulator. The intermediate accumulator is preferably designed to store uncompressed hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer, and the main accumulator is designed to store hydrogen compressed by the compressor. Hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer is preferably stored in the intermediate accumulator at the output pressure of the electrolyzer. In the intermediate accumulator and / or at the outlet of the electrolyzer, the hydrogen has a maximum pressure of 35 bar. From the intermediate accumulator, the hydrogen is then led to a compressor in which it is compressed from the output pressure to the storage pressure. The compressed hydrogen is subsequently stored in the main accumulator. The pressure of hydrogen in the main accumulator and / or at the outlet of the compressor is greater than 35 bar, preferably at most 200 bar.

[0031] It is likewise advantageous if the treatment device comprises at least one filter for filtering water, by means of which water, in particular rainwater, groundwater, surface water and / or raw water, can be filtered and / or purified. The at least one filter is preferably a reverse osmosis filter, a pre-filter and / or a filter screen.

[0032] The filter screen removes the largest contaminants from the water. If the equipment has a collector, the filter screen is designed to remove the largest contaminants, especially leaves and / or twigs, within the area of ​​the collector. The arrangement on the collector allows the filter screen to be cleaned without significant modification. The pre-filter removes medium-sized contaminants from the water. The pre-filter is preferably in the form of a flow-through filter, which is readily available. The pre-filter is also easy to clean. A reverse osmosis filter should be understood to mean a filter that treats flowing water by reverse osmosis. Water treated by reverse osmosis may be referred to as pure water, which preferably has a maximum conductivity of 20 microsiemens.

[0033] Preferably, at least one filter, in particular a pre-filter and / or a filter screen, is arranged in the device in such a way that it can be quickly and easily subjected to the necessary cleaning. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the treatment device has a blocking sensor, in particular in the region of the pre-filter, so that the operation of the treatment device can always be guaranteed.

[0034] It is furthermore advantageous if the water supply device comprises at least one water tank for storing water, preferably in the form of an intermediate tank for storing collected water and / or a pure water tank for storing filtered water, in particular pure water, and it is also advantageous if the at least one water tank, in particular the pure water tank, comprises a water quality sensor for monitoring the water quality.

[0035] Likewise, it is advantageous if the water dispenser has at least one outlet for draining water from the at least one water tank, the treatment device and / or the collection device, so that unwanted water can be drained, for example, if the at least one water tank is already completely full and / or if the treatment device and / or the collection device is clogged. Similarly, the at least one outlet can serve as an emergency drainage device in case of necessary maintenance.

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the water dispenser comprises at least one frost protection device for preventing damage due to frost. The at least one frost protection device may be insulated and / or heated. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one frost protection device may take the form of an outlet for draining the water dispenser.

[0037] Advantageously, the reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit has a fan and / or a bypass air opening for supplying air, a mixing chamber for mixing hydrogen and air, a sensor for determining the mixing ratio, a controller for controlling the mixing ratio and / or a catalyst for catalyzing hydrogen. The fan and / or the bypass air opening preferably supplies outside air to the catalytic unit. When the hydrogen is mixed with the air, a reaction gas mixture is generated. The reaction gas mixture is preferably controlled in an open loop system so that the hydrogen content is outside the explosion range, in particular below 4% by volume. Thermal energy for heating the food product and / or for emitting heat to the surroundings, in particular for radiating heat and / or for blowing hot air, is generated from the reaction gas mixture by means of a catalyst.

[0038] It is also advantageous if the reaction unit takes the form of a burner unit for burning hydrogen. It is further advantageous if the burner unit has at least one igniter, a flame indicator and / or a combustion tube. The burner unit is to be considered as meaning a reaction unit for generating thermal energy from hydrogen by means of an open flame. A reaction gas mixture consisting of hydrogen, air and oxygen leaves the at least one combustion tube and is ignited by at least one igniter, which results in a flame. Since the flame when the reaction gas mixture with hydrogen burns is colorless, the presence of the flame can be detected and / or indicated by a flame indicator. In this way, safety can be ensured when thermal energy is generated from hydrogen by means of an open flame.

[0039] It is further advantageous if the device comprises a power source. The power source preferably comprises at least one current source, in particular a photovoltaic cell, a wind turbine and / or an external current supply. The power source allows all components of the device, in particular the electrolyzer, the processing device, the reaction unit, the compressor, the water tank and / or the computer unit, to be supplied with current and ensure their operation. The photovoltaic cell and / or the wind turbine are dependent on environmental influences. The photovoltaic cell converts solar energy into current and the wind turbine converts wind energy into current. It is then advantageous if the electrolyzer produces hydrogen at the time the photovoltaic cell and / or the wind turbine supplies the current. Furthermore or alternatively, if the current source takes the form of an external current supply, it can be used independently of environmental influences and / or can serve to support the photovoltaic cell and / or the wind turbine. Preferably, the external current supply comprises a voltage converter. The voltage converter can convert the input voltage, so that the external current supply can also be adapted to different distribution voltages.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the equipment has an energy storage device, in particular a battery. If the current source is in the form of a photovoltaic cell and / or a wind turbine, the introduced energy can be stored in the energy storage device and output at any time. As a result, the equipment can be operated even in adverse environmental conditions. Similarly, if the equipment has a dedicated external current supply, it is also conceivable that the energy storage device is charged via the power supply connector. The energy stored in the energy storage device is then output to the equipment components during operation.

[0041] Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the device comprises a current distributor for distributing the current, by means of which the current from the current source can be distributed to all components of the device, in particular the electrolyser, the treatment device, the reaction unit, the compressor, the water tank and / or the computer unit.

[0042] Additionally or alternatively it may be advantageous if the device comprises a current converter for changing the type of current, in particular from direct current to alternating current.

[0043] It is advantageous if the device comprises at least one computer unit for open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the device, in particular of the supply unit, the reaction unit and / or the power supply. Additionally or alternatively, the device comprises at least one operating unit for operating the device, in particular of the supply unit, the reaction unit and / or the power supply.

[0044] Likewise, it is advantageous if the equipment comprises a cooling device, preferably having at least one air inlet and / or a cooling fan, so that cool air can be supplied to the equipment, in particular to the supply unit, the reaction unit, the power supply and / or the computer unit. It is also conceivable that the frost protection device and the cooling device are an integrated device, capable of heating as well as cooling.

[0045] Likewise, it is advantageous if the appliance takes the form of an autonomously operable grill and / or radiant heater. The supply unit, the reaction unit, the power supply and / or the computer unit are preferably arranged in a housing and / or mechanically connected to one another. An autonomously operable appliance is to be considered as essentially an appliance that can be operated without any foreign material being fed from the outside, in particular manually. For example, rainwater is automatically collected by a collection device and stored in at least one water tank after being treated and / or filtered. The energy storage device can be charged and / or the appliance can be operated by a current source in the form of a photovoltaic cell and / or a wind turbine. From the filtered rainwater, in particular pure water, hydrogen is produced by an electrolyzer and stored in at least one of the accumulators. And heat can be produced by at least one reaction unit. Additionally or alternatively, if the supply unit, the reaction unit, the power supply and / or the computer unit are arranged in a housing and / or mechanically connected to one another, the appliance can be designed to be transportable as a single unit.

[0046] Advantageously, the housing has a body and / or a top plate. The body and the top plate are preferably connected to each other by at least one connecting device and / or the housing is a two-part unit mechanically connected to each other by a connecting device. The top plate can function as a rain and / or sun shield, thus protecting the body, and in particular the reaction unit arranged therein, from environmental influences.

[0047] It is also advantageous if a current source and / or collector, in particular in the form of a photovoltaic cell, is arranged on the top plate and / or on the rear surface of the housing and / or constitutes the top plate and / or the rear surface of the housing.

[0048] It is further advantageous if the at least one connection device takes the form of a mechanical connection device and / or at least one connection cable and / or if at least one storm water line is arranged in the area of ​​the connection device. The mechanical connection device can mechanically connect the body to the top plate. As a result, the mechanical connection device can be formed at least partially as a support frame of the housing. Additionally or alternatively, the support frame can accommodate components of the device, in particular at least one supply unit, at least one reaction unit, a power supply and / or a computer unit.

[0049] The connection cable can electrically connect the current source arranged on the top plate to the supply unit, the reaction unit, the computer unit, the energy storage device, the current distributor and / or the current converter arranged on the main body. The connection cable can take the form of at least one electrical conductor, in particular a cable. The rainwater line can lead the rainwater collected by the collection device arranged on the top plate to at least one water tank in the main body and / or to at least one of the filters. The rainwater line can take the form of a downspout. Preferably, as mentioned above, at least one of the filter parts, in particular a filter screen, is arranged in the area of ​​the top plate. In this way, larger pollutants do not enter the downspout but remain on the top plate.

[0050] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the top plate is movable, in particular can be moved and / or swiveled, so that the photovoltaic cells and / or the collector can be directed towards solar radiation and / or rain. A movable top plate can also be used to protect the body, in particular the reaction unit of the body, from environmental influences. In this way, the top plate can be moved relative to the body, in particular in bad weather, in order to protect the body.

[0051] It is also advantageous if the appliance comprises a grill unit as a grill and / or a heating unit as a radiant heater. The reaction unit is preferably at least partially arranged within the grill unit and / or the heating unit, which are operatively connected to the reaction unit.

[0052] A grill unit should be considered to be a unit in which and / or on which food is heated. Preferably, the grill unit is a closed grill unit with an openable top and / or a fixed base. The reaction unit is arranged in the area of ​​the base and / or introduces thermal energy into the area of ​​the base of the grill unit. Food is placed in the grill unit and can be removed therefrom with the aid of the top. A heating unit should be considered to mean in particular a unit that can emit heat to the surroundings by thermal radiation and / or by a flow of hot air. The reaction unit is arranged in the heating unit and is in particular visible from the outside.

[0053] It is furthermore advantageous if the grill unit has at least one grate and / or a deflector. The deflector is preferably arranged between the grate and the reaction unit in such a way that the food placed on the grate is in particular exclusively and indirectly heated. The deflector can preferably take the form of a plate and / or a hollow body closed on one side. If the deflector takes the form of a hollow body closed on one side, in the vertical direction its main opening faces the reaction unit. In the vertical direction the hollow body is closed. Advantageously the hollow body closed on one side further has lateral secondary openings, so that the hollow body closed on one side is at least partially open in the horizontal direction. The air heated by the reaction unit can flow through these secondary openings in particular indirectly to the grate and thus to the food placed thereon. As a result the food can be heated indirectly.

[0054] It is further advantageous if the appliance comprises at least one lighting device, at least one camera and / or at least one temperature sensor, in particular in the area of ​​the grill unit. The lighting device can illuminate the appliance, in particular in the area of ​​the grill unit and / or the base. The at least one camera and / or the temperature sensor can monitor the appliance, in particular in the area of ​​the grill unit. As a result, the food, in particular its doneness, can be monitored.

[0055] Advantageously, the appliance comprises a danger detection device and / or a danger warning device.

[0056] The invention further relates to a method for operating an appliance for heating food and / or for emitting heat to the surroundings, in particular for radiating heat and / or for blowing hot air. Hydrogen is provided by at least one supply unit, from which heat is produced by at least one reaction unit. According to the invention, hydrogen is produced by electrolysis from water provided by a water supply. Water, in particular rainwater, is collected by a collection device and / or treated by a treatment device. Additionally or alternatively, according to the invention, hydrogen is catalyzed by at least one catalyst in a reaction unit in the form of a catalytic unit.

[0057] The device is preferably designed according to the previous description. The aforementioned features may be present individually or in any combination.

[0058] It is particularly advantageous if the operating unit switches the appliance to an operating setting in which hydrogen is consumed by the reaction unit and / or supplied by the supply unit to the reaction unit for heating food and / or emitting heat, in particular for radiating heat and / or for blowing hot air, and if, after the operating setting is over, the computer unit switches the appliance to a generating setting in which at least one supply unit generates hydrogen. The appliance according to the invention, in particular the grill and / or the radiant heater, is hardly operated during the operating setting. Thus, the appliance assumes most of the time to be in the generating setting rather than the operating setting. As a result, the supply unit can generate hydrogen for a long time. As a result, it can be ensured that a sufficient amount of hydrogen is always available for the appliance to operate.

[0059] Further advantages of the present invention are described in the following exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the following drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0060] [Figure 1] 1 is a highly simplified schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment; [Diagram 2] 13 is a highly simplified schematic cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0061] In the following description of the figures, the same reference signs are used for features that are identical and / or at least comparable in the different figures. Individual features, their embodiments and / or examples are usually described in detail only when they are mentioned for the first time. If individual features are not described in detail again, their embodiments and / or examples correspond to the embodiments and / or examples of the features previously described.

[0062] 1 is a highly simplified schematic cross-sectional view of an appliance 1 according to one exemplary embodiment. The appliance 1 shown in the figure is an appliance for heating food, in particular an outdoor grill. Additionally or alternatively, the appliance may be designed to emit heat, in particular to radiate heat, and / or to blow hot air into the surroundings.

[0063] The apparatus 1 comprises a supply unit 2 for supplying hydrogen. When the supply unit 2 takes the form of a hydrogen generation unit as shown in this exemplary embodiment, the supply unit 2 may comprise a number of components arranged in multiple areas of the apparatus 1. For example, the supply unit 2 here comprises a water supply, an electrolyzer 3, at least one accumulator 4, 4′ and a compressor 5.

[0064] The water supply supplies water to the electrolytic cell 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the rainwater is collected by a collecting device 6 arranged on the top plate 7 of the device 1. The rainwater is collected over the entire area of ​​the top plate 7 and is guided downwards by the slope of the top plate. The collected rainwater is subsequently treated by a treating device 8, 8', 8''. A filter screen 8 is arranged on the top plate 7 of the device 1, in particular in the area of ​​the collecting device 6 at the lowest position of the top plate 7, to remove large pollutants from the rainwater. A rainwater line 9 arranged in the area of ​​and / or within a connecting device 20 of the device 1 guides the rainwater from the top plate 7 to the body 10 of the device 1. The connecting device 20 mechanically connects the top plate 7 and the body 10 of the device 1, so that a housing is formed.

[0065] In the main body 10, the stormwater is led through a stormwater line 9 to a pre-filter 8'. There, the stormwater is further treated and further contaminants are removed. The treated stormwater is led to an intermediate tank 11. From the intermediate tank 11, the treated stormwater is then led to a reverse osmosis filter 8'' for further treatment. The water treated by the treatment device 8, 8', 8'', including the filter screen 8, the pre-filter 8' and / or the reverse osmosis filter 8'', may be referred to as filtered water and / or pure water. The filtered water and / or pure water is then led to a pure water tank 11' and stored there. It is also conceivable that the water is led directly from the pre-filter 8' to the reverse osmosis filter 8'', without passing through the intermediate tank 11.

[0066] When the intermediate tank 11 and / or the pure water tank 11' are completely filled, excess water may be carried out of the device 1 by at least one outlet 12, 12'. The control of the opening of these outlets 12, 12' may be performed by a computer unit 13. As shown in the figure, all components of the water supply, in particular the collector 6, the filter screen 8, the pre-filter 8', the intermediate tank 11, the reverse osmosis filter 8'', the pure water tank 11' and / or the two outlets 12, 12' may be connected to each other by at least one water line.

[0067] Water from a water supply, in particular a pure water tank 11', is conducted to an electrolyser 3 for the production of hydrogen. The electrolyser 3 produces hydrogen from the water by electrolysis. The resulting hydrogen is sent to an intermediate accumulator 4. To store the hydrogen at higher pressure in the main accumulator 4', it is first compressed in a compressor 5. By compression, significantly larger amounts of hydrogen can be stored in the main accumulator 4'. The connections of the individual components take the form of water or gas lines, depending on the medium to be conducted, in particular water or hydrogen. These lines are shown in FIG. 1 as dashed lines between the individual components.

[0068] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the main accumulator 4' takes the form of a pressure accumulator for compressed hydrogen. It is also conceivable that the main accumulator 4' takes the form of a metal hydride accumulator. For such a metal hydride accumulator, the compressor 5 and the intermediate accumulator 4 are not necessary and may therefore be omitted if the equipment 1 has this type of design.

[0069] Hydrogen may then be drawn from the primary accumulator 4' for operating at least one reaction unit 14. As mentioned above, the primary accumulator 4' as a pressure accumulator stores hydrogen at elevated pressure, so that a pressure reducing valve may be required to operate the reaction unit 14. Furthermore, pressure distribution may be required to operate multiple reaction units 14.

[0070] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the device 1 also comprises a power source. The power source comprises at least one current source 15, 15', at least one energy storage device 16, at least one current distributor 17 and / or at least one current converter 18. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the two current sources 15, 15' take the form of an external current supply 15 and a photovoltaic cell 15'. The external current supply 15 is arranged in the area of ​​the body 10 of the device 1. An externally generated current can be introduced into the device 1 by the external current supply 15. The external current supply 15 may comprise a voltage converter that converts the voltage of the current so that it is a current that can be used in the device 1. It is also conceivable to use only one of the current sources 15, 15' and / or to use a wind turbine instead as a current source.

[0071] The photovoltaic cell 15' is arranged in the area of ​​the top plate 7 of the device 1. As a result, the photovoltaic cell 15' can convert the solar radiation incident on the photovoltaic cell 15' into electricity or current. The current from the photovoltaic cell 15' is led via a connecting cable 19 from the top plate 7 to the body 10, in particular to a current distributor 17 arranged in the body. The connecting cable 19 is arranged in the area of ​​and / or in the connecting device 20. The current supplied by the current source 15, 15' and / or stored in the energy storage device 16 is distributed from the current distributor 17 to all components of the device 1. A current converter 18 arranged in the current distributor 17 can also convert the type of current. Excess current or energy or current or energy that is not currently required can be stored in the energy storage device 16. This energy can then be output from the energy storage device 16 to the components of the device 1 when they need current or energy. This is true even if neither of the current sources 15, 15' is currently supplying current.

[0072] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, the current is distributed by a current distributor 17 to the reverse osmosis filter 8'', the pure water tank 11', the electrolyzer 3, the compressor 5, the computer unit 13, the energy storage device 16, the operating unit 21 and / or the frost protection device 22. The corresponding connections, in particular the electrical connections to the power supply and / or the data connections between said components are in each case shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1.

[0073] In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, the operating unit 21 of the device 1 is used to operate the supply unit 2, the reaction unit 14 and / or the power source. By activating the reaction unit 14, the hydrogen produced and supplied by the supply unit 2 can be consumed or utilized, for example, for heating food in the grill unit 23. The reaction unit 14 is arranged in the grill unit 23. Alternatively, the reaction unit 14 may be arranged outside the grill unit 23 and operatively connected thereto, for example, by a heat conducting member. Also, the grill unit 23 may be designed in the same way as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0074] During consumption and / or utilization of hydrogen by the reaction unit 14, the apparatus 1 is switched to an operational setting. The operation unit 21 outputs signals to the computer unit 13 so that the individual components can be appropriately controlled. During the operational setting, it is considered that only hydrogen previously produced by the supply unit 2 is used to operate the reaction unit 14. It is also considered that during operation of the reaction unit 14, hydrogen is supplied by the supply unit 2 and / or utilized directly or indirectly by the reaction unit 14.

[0075] Once the operational setting by the operating unit 21 has been completed, the computer unit 13 switches the equipment 1, in particular automatically, to the production setting. During the production setting, the reaction unit 14 is switched off. Thus, no hydrogen is consumed. During the production setting, hydrogen is produced or produced by the supply unit 2. If the equipment 1 were then switched back to the operational setting, the reaction unit 14 would be able to use the hydrogen newly produced or produced by the supply unit 2. Since the equipment 1 is normally in the production setting, the production and / or generation of hydrogen may be controlled in a closed loop system depending on environmental influences so as to minimize the operating costs. For example, rainwater can be collected beforehand in the water tanks 11, 11' and, when the sun rises, the electrolyzer 3 can be operated by solar energy from the photovoltaic cell 15'. In this way, the consumption of energy that can be provided by the external current supply 15 is minimized.

[0076] The equipment 1 also comprises a frost protection device 22. The frost protection device 22 is capable of heating and / or insulating the components of the equipment 1, in particular the at least one water tank 11, 11'. Additionally or alternatively, it is also conceivable that the frost protection device 22 takes the form of a cooling air device and cools the components of the equipment 1.

[0077] Additionally or alternatively, it is also conceivable that the collector 6 and / or the photocell 15' are arranged on the rear side 24 of the device 1. For this purpose, the rear side 24 can, for example, have a receiving portion for receiving the collector 6 and / or the photocell 15' and / or the rear side 24 can be tilted in the same way as the top plate 7 shown in the figure.

[0078] Fig. 2 is a highly simplified schematic cross-sectional view of an appliance 1 according to another exemplary embodiment. The exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2 shows an appliance for heating food, in particular an outdoor grill. Additionally or alternatively, the appliance may be designed to emit heat, in particular to radiate heat, and / or to blow hot air into the surroundings.

[0079] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a supply unit 2 for supplying hydrogen is shown in a highly simplified manner. The supply unit 2 may take the form of a simple hydrogen storage and / or may be the supply unit 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1. The reaction unit 14 takes the form of a catalytic unit. A reaction unit 14 in the form of a catalytic unit, which will be explained in more detail below, may also be used in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0080] The reaction unit 14, in the form of a catalytic unit, has a fan 25 and bypass air openings 26 for supplying air and / or oxygen, a mixing chamber 27 for mixing hydrogen and air and / or hydrogen and oxygen, a sensor 28 for determining the mixture ratio of the reaction mixture, and a controller 29 for controlling the mixture ratio and / or a catalyst 30 for catalyzing the reaction mixture.

[0081] The air and / or oxygen supplied by the fan 25 and / or the bypass air opening 26 are mixed with the hydrogen supplied by the supply unit 2 in the mixing chamber 27. The mixture ratio of the reaction gas mixture consisting of hydrogen, air and / or oxygen can be controlled in an open-loop and / or closed-loop system by the sensor 28, the hydrogen valve 51, the fan 25, the bypass air opening and / or the controller 29. This ensures that a reaction gas mixture with a suitable mixture ratio is supplied to the catalyst 30. To avoid explosions, the hydrogen content of the reaction gas mixture must be at most 4% by volume. For this purpose, the supply unit 2 can have a mass flow meter, which is connected to the controller 29 in order to optimally supply hydrogen to the mixing chamber 27.

[0082] The reaction unit 14 with the catalyst 30 protrudes into the grill unit 23 in the vertical direction HR. The grill unit 23 has a grate 31 for heating food and / or a deflector 32. The deflector 32 shown in the figure is arranged between the grate 31 and the reaction unit 14 so that food placed on the grate 31 can be heated indirectly.

[0083] To this end, the deflector 32 has the shape of a hollow body closed on one side, with a main opening 33 of the deflector 32 opening towards the reaction unit 14 in the vertical direction HR. In the vertical direction HR, the hollow body is therefore closed. In order to indirectly heat the food evenly, the deflector 32 has lateral secondary openings 34. As a result, the heat of the reaction unit 14 can be distributed throughout the grill unit.

[0084] The reaction unit 14, in the form of a catalytic unit, has a catalytic combustion chamber 35 in which a catalyst 30 is arranged. The catalyst 30 is arranged in the combustion chamber 35 so as to form a permeable partition dividing the combustion chamber 35 into two sub-chambers 36 and 37. In the present exemplary embodiment, the catalyst 30 is in the form of a permeable grid. Furthermore, the catalyst 30 may be hydrophilic. Preferably, the catalyst 30 is made of titanium and / or in the form of a metal oxide-platinum coating.

[0085] The combustion chamber has a mixture inlet 38 for an air-hydrogen mixture in a first subchamber 36 and an outlet opening 39 for a catalytically heated air stream in a second subchamber 37. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 2, this heated air stream is used to heat food. Similarly, according to exemplary embodiments not shown, the heated air stream can be used to emit heat to the surroundings, in particular to warm buildings and / or people.

[0086] According to FIG. 2, the mixture inlet 38 is arranged at a first end in the longitudinal direction of the combustion chamber 35, and the outlet opening 39 is arranged at the opposite, second end of the combustion chamber 35. The reaction unit 14 in the form of a catalytic unit has an auxiliary heating system 40, in particular electrically operated, for heating and / or drying the catalyst 30. When starting up the device, agglomerations may occur on the catalyst 30, which is particularly hydrophilic, which may be an obstacle to a reliable start of flameless combustion of the catalyst. The auxiliary heating system 40 heats and / or dries the catalyst 30 before and / or during the start-up process, so that the reaction unit 14 in the form of a catalytic unit can be reliably started up. The auxiliary heating system 40 can take the form of a jacket heating element. In this case, the auxiliary heating system 40 or an annular heating element of the auxiliary heating system 40 can be arranged outside the combustion chamber 35. The jacket heating element is then arranged on the periphery of the combustion chamber 35 in the area of ​​the catalyst 30. As a result, the catalyst 30 is indirectly heated by the auxiliary heating system 40 via the housing of the combustion chamber 35 .

[0087] In order to monitor the start-up process and / or the flameless combustion of the catalyst, the reaction unit 14 in the form of a catalytic unit has a temperature sensor 41 arranged in or in the region of the combustion chamber 35. Preferably, the temperature sensor 41 is arranged in the second sub-chamber 37, as shown in FIG. 2. By utilizing the data transmitted from the temperature sensor 41 to the controller 29, ignition and / or explosion of the air-hydrogen mixture can be prevented by the controller 29, in particular by closed-loop control of the auxiliary heating system 40 and / or the hydrogen valve 51.

[0088] As mentioned above, hydrogen is fed to the mixing chamber 27 to be mixed with the air, in particular via the hydrogen valve 51 and / or controlled in a closed-loop and / or open-loop system by the controller 29. For this purpose, the mixing chamber 27 has an inlet opening 42 for air, a hydrogen inlet 43 for hydrogen and / or a mixture outlet 44. The air-hydrogen mixture is fed via the mixture outlet 44 to a sensor chamber 48. A structurally simple implementation can be ensured if the inlet opening 42 is arranged at a first end in the longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber 27 and the mixture outlet 44 is arranged at the opposite, second end of the mixing chamber 27 and / or the hydrogen inlet 43 is arranged between said ends.

[0089] To ensure that the hydrogen flowing into the mixing chamber 27 is mixed with the air also flowing in, the mixing chamber 27 has, from the inlet opening 42 towards the mixture outlet 44, a first section 45, which tapers in particular conically, a second section 46, which is in particular cylindrical and / or has a constant diameter, and / or a third section 47, which widens in particular conically. The hydrogen inlet 43 is arranged in the region of the second section 46. Air is supplied to the mixing chamber 27 via the inlet opening 42 from a fan and / or a bypass air opening.

[0090] The sensor chamber 48 is arranged between the mixing chamber 27 and the combustion chamber 35. In the sensor chamber 35 the sensor 28 is arranged for determining the mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture.

[0091] The constructional complexity of the device 1 can be reduced if the mixing chamber 27, the sensor chamber 48 and / or the combustion chamber 35 are in the form of a tube, at one end of which the inlet opening 42 is arranged and at the other end the outlet opening 39 is arranged. In order to simplify maintenance and repairs, it is furthermore advantageous if, according to FIG. 2, the tube has several tube sections which are detachably connected to one another. For the sake of clarity, only one of these tube sections 49 is referenced in FIG. 2. Thus, the tube according to the present exemplary embodiment has a first tube section with the mixing chamber 27, a second tube section with the sensor chamber 48 and / or a third tube section with the combustion chamber 35. These tube sections are detachably connected to one another in correspondingly designed connection areas 50. Again, for the sake of clarity, only one of the connection areas 50 is referenced. Preferably, the connection area 50 is in the form of a flange which is fixed by bolts.

[0092] To ensure a reliable start of flameless combustion and / or a reliable catalytic flameless combustion, the controller 29 is designed for open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the hydrogen valve 51, the fan 25 and / or the auxiliary heating system 40. To this end, the controller 29 is advantageously electrically connected to the sensor 28 for determining the mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture and / or to the temperature sensor 41.

[0093] The heat output of the device 1 may be controlled in an open loop system by a controller 29, preferably based on the amount of air and / or hydrogen supplied to the mixing chamber 27. Preferably, the amount of air is regulated by the fan 25, which is suitably activated by the controller 29. Additionally or alternatively, the amount of hydrogen is regulated by the hydrogen valve 51, which is suitably activated by the controller 29. For temperature regulation, the controller 29 receives a target value, in particular a target temperature, from the user. This value may be transmitted to the controller 29 and / or predefined by the user, preferably via an input / output device (not shown) of the device 1. The controller 29 receives the actual temperature, preferably via a temperature sensor 41, and controls the actual temperature in a closed loop system to the target temperature predefined by the user by appropriately activating the fan 25 and / or the hydrogen valve 51. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 29 can determine a target mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture, in particular based on the predefined target temperature. Additionally or alternatively, this target mixture ratio may be predefined for the controller 29. Additionally or alternatively, a target mixture ratio, which is determined mathematically and / or empirically and correlates with the target temperature, may be stored in a memory (not shown) of the controller 29. The controller 29 is preferably designed to adjust the actual mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture sensed by the sensor 29 to a desired value based on the desired mixture ratio.

[0094] A reaction unit 14 in the form of a catalytic unit is described as an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2. In principle, the reaction unit 14 can be used in any appliance 1 that heats food and / or emits heat, in particular radiates heat and / or blows hot air, preferably outdoors and / or indoors, to the surroundings. The reaction unit 14 can thus be built into, for example, a cooking appliance, a hot plate, a grill and / or an oven, in particular for outdoors and / or indoors. Similarly, the reaction unit 14 can be built into a heater, a radiant heater, a fan heater, a chimney stove, a stationary heater, a patio heater and / or an open fireplace, in particular for outdoors and / or indoors. Outdoor and / or indoor should be considered to mean the place where the appliance can operate. Therefore, outdoors should be understood when the appliance is outdoors and / or outside. Indoor should be understood when the appliance is inside a building, a house, a tent, a boat, a camper, a caravan.

[0095] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described, and the features may be different in different exemplary embodiments, but in any combination thereof, and may vary within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1 equipment 2 Supply Unit 3 Electrolytic cell 4,4' Accumulator 5. Compressor 6. Collection Device 7. Tabletop 8,8',8'' Processing Unit 9. Stormwater Line 10 Main unit 11,11' Water tank 12,12' Outlet 13 Computer Unit 14 Reaction Units 15,15' current source 16 Energy storage devices 17 Current divider 18 Current transducer 19 Connection cable 20 Connection Device 21 Operation unit 22 Frost protection device 23 Grill unit 24 Rear 25 Fans 26 Bypass Air Opening 27 Mixing Chamber 28 Sensors 29 Controller 30 Catalyst 31 Great 32 Deflector 33 Main opening 34 Secondary opening 35 Combustion chamber 36 First Sub-Chamber 37 Second Sub-Chamber 38 Mixture inlet 39 Exit opening 40 Auxiliary Heating System 41 Temperature Sensor 42 Inlet opening 43 Hydrogen inlet 44 Mixture outlet 45 First Section 46 Second Section 47 Third Section 48 Sensor Chamber 49 Pipe section 50 Connection Area 51 Hydrogen Valve HR vertical QR horizontal direction

Claims

1. An appliance (1) for heating food, in particular a grill, and for emitting heat to the surroundings, in particular a heater, at least one supply unit (2) for supplying hydrogen; at least one reaction unit (14) for producing heat from hydrogen; said reaction unit (14) is designed as a catalytic unit for the flameless combustion of hydrogen by means of at least one catalyst (30) that catalyzes hydrogen, and / or The apparatus (1) is characterized in that the supply unit (2) comprises an electrolyzer (3) for producing hydrogen and a water supply device for supplying water to the electrolyzer (3), the water supply device comprising a collecting device (6) for collecting water and / or a treatment device (8, 8', 8'') for treating the water.

2. 2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reaction unit (14) in the form of a catalytic unit has a catalytic combustion chamber (35) in which the catalyst (30) is arranged.

3. 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the catalyst (30) is arranged in the catalytic combustion chamber (35) so as to form a permeable partition dividing the catalytic combustion chamber (35) into two sub-chambers (36, 37).

4. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the catalyst (30) is permeable, in particular in the form of a lattice, is hydrophilic and / or is preferably made of titanium with a metal oxide platinum coating.

5. 4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the catalytic combustion chamber (35) has a mixture inlet (38) for an air-hydrogen mixture, in particular in the first sub-chamber (36), and an outlet opening (39) for a catalytically heated air stream, in particular in the second sub-chamber (37).

6. 6. The device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the mixture inlet (38) is arranged at a first end in the longitudinal direction of the catalytic combustion chamber (35) and the outlet opening (39) is arranged at an opposite second end of the combustion chamber (35).

7. 2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reaction unit (14) in the form of a catalyst unit has an auxiliary heating system (40), in particular of the electric type, for heating and / or drying the catalyst (30).

8. 2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reaction unit (14) in the form of a catalytic unit comprises a temperature sensor (41).

9. 2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reaction unit (14) in the form of a catalytic unit has a mixing chamber (27) into which hydrogen and air can be supplied and mixed to produce an air-hydrogen mixture, the mixing chamber (27) preferably having an inlet opening (42) for air, a hydrogen inlet (43) and / or a mixture outlet (44).

10. 10. The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the air inlet opening (42) is arranged at a first end in the longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber (27) and the air-fuel mixture outlet (44) is arranged at an opposite second end of the mixing chamber (27) and / or the hydrogen inlet (43) is arranged between the first end and the second end.

11. 10. The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the mixing chamber (27) has, from the air inlet opening (42) towards the mixture outlet (44), a first section (45) that tapers in particular conically, a second section (46) that is in particular cylindrical and / or has a constant diameter, and / or a third section (47) that widens in particular conically, and / or the hydrogen inlet (43) is arranged in the region of the second section (46).

12. 10. The apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the reaction unit (14) in the form of a catalytic unit has in particular a fan (25) for supplying air to the mixing chamber (27) via the air inlet opening (42) and / or a bypass air opening (26).

13. The reaction unit (14) in the form of a catalytic unit has a catalytic combustion chamber (35) in which the catalyst (30) is arranged; 10. The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the reaction unit (14) in the form of a catalytic unit comprises a sensor (28) for determining the mixture ratio of the air-hydrogen mixture and / or a sensor chamber (48), preferably arranged between the mixing chamber (27) and the catalytic combustion chamber (35).

14. the mixing chamber (27), the sensor chamber (48) and / or the catalytic combustion chamber (35) are in the form of a tube, at one end of which the inlet opening (42) for air is arranged and at the other end of which the outlet opening (39) is arranged; and / or 14. Device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the tube comprises a plurality of tube sections (49) which are in particular detachably connected to one another and preferably comprise at least one of the chambers.

15. 8. The apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the reaction unit (14) in the form of a catalytic unit comprises a controller (29) for open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the air-hydrogen mixture ratio and / or of the auxiliary heating system (40).

16. 10. The apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the reaction unit (14) in the form of a catalytic unit has a hydrogen valve (51) that can be activated by a controller (29) and that can control the inflow of hydrogen into the mixing chamber (27).

17. 2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply unit (2) comprises a compressor (5) for compressing the produced hydrogen.

18. 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the supply unit (2) comprises at least one accumulator (4, 4') for storing hydrogen, said accumulator (4, 4') preferably taking the form of a pressure accumulator and / or a metal hydride accumulator.

19. The supply unit (2) has a compressor (5) for compressing the generated hydrogen, said at least one accumulator taking the form of a main accumulator (4') and / or an intermediate accumulator (4); the intermediate accumulator (4) is preferably designed to store the hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer (3) before compression, 19. Equipment (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that the main accumulator is preferably designed to store hydrogen compressed by the compressor (5).

20. the treatment device (8, 8', 8'') has at least one filter for filtering water, 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one filter preferably takes the form of a reverse osmosis filter (8''), a pre-filter (8') and / or a filter screen (8).

21. The water supply device has at least one water tank (11, 11') for storing water, 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one water tank (11, 11') preferably takes the form of an intermediate tank (11) for storing collected water and / or a pure water tank (11') for storing filtered water, in particular pure water.

22. 22. The device (1) according to claim 21, characterized in that the water supply device has at least one outlet for draining water from the at least one water tank (11, 11'), the treatment device (8, 8', 8'') and / or the collection device (6), and / or at least one frost protection device (22) for preventing damage due to frost.

23. The device (1) has a power source, 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the power supply preferably comprises at least one current source (15, 15'), in particular a photovoltaic cell (15'), a wind turbine and / or an external current supply device (15), and / or an energy storage device (16), in particular an accumulator battery and / or a current distributor (17) for distributing the current and / or a current converter (18) for converting the type of current, in particular from direct current to alternating current.

24. 24. The device (1) according to claim 23, characterized in that it has at least one computer unit (13) for open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the device (1), in particular of the supply unit (2), the reaction unit (14) and / or the power supply, and / or at least one operating unit (21) for operating the device (1), in particular of the supply unit (2), the reaction unit (14) and / or the power supply.

25. The appliance (1) is in the form of a self-sustaining grill and / or radiant heater, 25. The device (1) according to claim 24, characterized in that the supply unit (2), the reaction unit (14), the power supply and / or the computer unit (13) are preferably arranged in a housing and / or are mechanically connected to each other.

26. The housing has a main body (10) and / or a top plate (7), 26. The device (1) according to claim 25, characterized in that the body (10) and the top plate (7) are preferably connected to each other by at least one connecting device and / or the housing is designed as a two-part unit mechanically connected to each other by said connecting device.

27. ​​The device (1) has a power source, The power supply preferably comprises at least one current source (15, 15'), in particular a photovoltaic cell (15'), a wind turbine, and / or an external current supply (15), and / or an energy storage device (16), in particular a battery, and / or a current distributor (17) for distributing the current, and / or a current converter (18) for converting the type of current, in particular from direct current to alternating current, 27. The device (1) according to claim 26, characterized in that the current source (15, 15'), in particular as a photovoltaic cell (15'), and / or the collector (6) are arranged on and / or constitute the top plate (7) and / or the rear face (24) of the housing.

28. The appliance (1) in the form of a grill has a grill unit (23), 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reaction unit (14) is preferably at least partially arranged within the grill unit (23) and / or the grill unit (23) is operatively connected to the reaction unit (14).

29. The grill unit (23) has at least one grate (31) and / or one deflector (32); 29. The device (1) according to claim 28, characterized in that the deflector (32) is arranged between the grate (31) and the reaction unit (14) so ​​that the food placed on the grate (31) is heated in particular exclusively and indirectly.

30. A method of operating a device (1), preferably according to any one of claims 1 to 29, for heating food and / or emitting heat to the surroundings, comprising: Hydrogen is supplied by at least one supply unit (2), at least one reaction unit (14) producing heat from the supplied hydrogen; the hydrogen is catalyzed by at least one catalyst (30) in the reaction unit (14) in the form of a catalytic unit; Hydrogen is produced by an electrolyzer (3) from water supplied by a water supply; A method characterized in that water, in particular rainwater, is collected by a collection device (6) and treated by a treatment device (8, 8', 8'').

31. 31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that the appliance (1) is switched, in particular by an operating unit (21), to an operating setting in which hydrogen is consumed by the reaction unit (14) and / or supplied to the reaction unit (14) by the supply unit (2) for heating food and / or emitting heat to the surroundings, and after the end of the operating setting the appliance (1) is switched, in particular by a computer unit (13), preferably to a production setting in which at least one supply unit (2) produces hydrogen.

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