Fluid container having thermally conductive element

Abstract

A fluid container (2) for storing a fluid (4) comprises a heat source (6) which is designed to heat fluid (4) stored in the fluid container (2), and at least one thermally conductive element (10, 10a, 10b) which is designed to transfer heat from the heat source (6) to at least one target region (8) at a distance from the heat source (6). The at least one thermally conductive element (10, 10a, 10b) is made of a plastic having good thermal conductivity.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Fluid container with heat-conducting element

[0004] State of the art

[0005] To reduce the nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, particularly a diesel engine, a liquid reducing agent in the form of a urea-water solution (AdBlue®) is often injected into the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine. The reducing agent reacts with the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gases in a catalyst located in the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine.

[0006] The liquid reducing agent is provided in a reservoir or fluid container and conveyed by a fluid conveying device containing a fluid pump to a metering module mounted on the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, which module includes an injection device. The injection device injects the reducing agent into the exhaust system in a metered manner.

[0007] Urea water solution freezes at temperatures of approximately -11.5 °C. Therefore, a heating device is often provided to heat the reducing agent to prevent freezing and / or to thaw frozen reducing agent.

[0008] It can be advantageous to heat selected target areas within the fluid container, e.g., areas near a fluid extraction line, as quickly and intensively as possible in order to provide fluid for exhaust gas purification as quickly and efficiently as possible, even at very low ambient temperatures. Fuel cells have a fluid container containing an electrolytic proton exchange membrane and the fuels hydrogen and oxygen. To ensure the operability of the fuel cell even at low ambient temperatures of down to -40°C, there may also be a need to quickly and efficiently heat specified target areas inside or outside the fluid container, e.g., to thaw any waste or residual water remaining in the target areas or to prevent residual water from freezing at low ambient temperatures.The target areas to be heated may include, in addition to areas of the fluid container, storage containers in which hydrogen or oxygen is stored for the fuel cell, water separators and / or fluid lines intended to supply hydrogen or oxygen to the fuel cell, and / or valves arranged in the fluid lines.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention:

[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a fluid container in which selected target areas, for example target areas required for the removal of fluid from the fluid container, can be heated particularly quickly and efficiently.

[0011] A fluid container according to the invention comprises a heat source. A fluid container according to the invention further comprises at least one heat-conducting element configured to transfer heat from the heat source to at least one target area spaced apart from the heat source. The at least one heat-conducting element is formed from a plastic material with good heat conduction.

[0012] A fluid container according to the invention can be used, for example, as a reaction chamber of a fuel cell and / or storage of hydrogen or oxygen for the fuel cell.

[0013] A fluid container according to the invention can also be used as a fluid tank in a system for the aftertreatment of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. In particular, the fluid tank can be used to store a fluid reducing agent intended for the aftertreatment of exhaust gases from the internal combustion engine. In a fluid container according to the invention, heat generated by the heat source and released into the fluid container can be transferred particularly efficiently to the target area with the aid of the at least one heat-conducting element. In this way, fluid located in the target area can be thawed particularly quickly and removed from the fluid container through a fluid line.

[0014] The operational reliability of a fuel cell and an exhaust gas purification system equipped with a fluid container according to the invention can thus be significantly improved, particularly at low ambient temperatures at which the fluid freezes.

[0015] In one embodiment, the thermally conductive plastic has a higher thermal conductivity than the fluid contained in the fluid container. In this case, heat can be transferred from the heat source to the at least one target area more efficiently through the thermally conductive plastic than through the fluid.

[0016] In one embodiment, the thermally conductive plastic has a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 1 W / mK. A thermally conductive plastic with a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 1 W / mK allows heat to be transferred particularly efficiently from the heat source to the at least one target area.

[0017] In one embodiment, the fluid container has a first region and a second region separated from each other by a heat-insulating element. The heat-insulating element has, in particular, a lower thermal conductivity than the highly thermally conductive plastic. The at least one heat-conducting element extends, in particular, through the heat-insulating element located between the first region and the second region, thus enabling heat to be transferred from the first region to the second region. In this way, heat can be transferred particularly efficiently from the first region, in which the heat source is located, to the second region, which is separated from the first region by a heat-insulating element.The first region and the second region may, for example, be separated from one another by a heat-insulating filter element, the filter element being provided to filter fluid flowing from the first region into the second region or from the second region into the first region.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least one heat-conducting element is also designed as a fluid-conducting element, in particular as a pipe or hose, which enables fluid to flow through the heat- and fluid-conducting element from the first region into the second region or enables fluid to flow through the heat- and fluid-conducting element from the second region into the first region. In such an embodiment, the first and second regions are connected to one another both fluidically and thermally by the at least one heat-conducting element. Therefore, two separate elements are not required to fluidically and thermally connect the two regions.

[0019] In one embodiment, the at least one heat-conducting element is in direct thermal and / or mechanical contact with the heat source. In such an embodiment, heat can be transferred particularly efficiently from the heat source to the at least one heat-conducting element.

[0020] In one embodiment, the at least one heat-conducting element is in direct thermal and / or mechanical contact with the target area. In such an embodiment, heat can be transferred particularly efficiently from the at least one heat-conducting element to the target area.

[0021] In one embodiment, the at least one heat-conducting element is at least partially surrounded by a heat-insulating material ("insulating material"). The heat-insulating material has a lower thermal conductivity than the plastic from which the at least one heat-conducting element is made. Such a heat-insulating material can reduce the transfer of heat from the at least one heat-conducting element to fluid surrounding the at least one heat-conducting element. As a result, heat can be transferred even more efficiently from the heat source to the at least one target area.

[0022] In one embodiment, the at least one heat-conducting element is at least partially in thermal contact with fluid stored in the fluid container, so that heat is transferred from the at least one heat-conducting element to fluid surrounding the at least one heat-conducting element. In this way, fluid located along the at least one heat-conducting element can also be heated. By eliminating the need for heat-insulating material surrounding the at least one heat-conducting element, the at least one heat-conducting element can be manufactured more simply and cost-effectively.

[0023] In one embodiment, the heat source and the at least one heat-conducting element are arranged within the fluid container.

[0024] In one embodiment, the heat source and the at least one heat-conducting element are arranged outside the fluid container.

[0025] The invention also includes an exhaust gas aftertreatment system for aftertreating exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, in particular exhaust gases of a diesel engine, wherein the exhaust gas aftertreatment system is equipped with a fluid container according to the invention.

[0026] The invention also includes a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, which is equipped with an exhaust gas aftertreatment system according to the invention for aftertreating exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine.

[0027] The invention comprises a fuel cell equipped with a fluid container according to the invention.

[0028] The fluid container can be used as a reaction chamber of the fuel cell and / or as a storage container for storing the fuel of the fuel cell, in particular hydrogen or oxygen.

[0029] In one embodiment, the fuel cell comprises at least one heat-conducting element configured to transfer heat from the heat source to a proton exchange membrane arranged in the reaction chamber of the fuel cell.

[0030] In one embodiment, the fuel cell comprises at least one heat-conducting element designed to transfer heat from the heat source to at least one storage container in which hydrogen or oxygen for the fuel cell is stored and / or to at least one fluid line designed to supply the fuel cell with hydrogen or oxygen.

[0031] In one embodiment, the fuel cell comprises a water separator configured to separate water generated during operation of the fuel cell, and the at least one heat-conducting element is configured to transfer heat from the heat source to the water separator.

[0032] In one embodiment, the fuel cell has a drain for removing fluid, particularly water, from the fuel cell. At least one heat-conducting element can be configured to transfer heat from the heat source to the drain.

[0033] In one embodiment, a drain valve is provided in the drain, and the at least one heat-conducting element is configured to transfer heat from the heat source to the drain valve.

[0034] In the following, embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the attached figures.

[0035] Short description of the characters

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a fluid container designed according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a fluid container designed according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a fluid container designed according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a fluid container designed according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a fluid container constructed according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 shows a section of a fluid container constructed according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Figure 7 shows a section of a fluid container which is designed according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0042] Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine and an exhaust aftertreatment system.

[0043] Figure 9 shows a schematic view of a fuel cell with a fluid container constructed according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0044] Character description

[0045] Figure 1 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a fluid container 2 which is designed according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0046] A fluid 4 is located in the fluid container 2. The fluid 4 can be, for example, a liquid reducing agent, for example urea solution, which is intended for the aftertreatment of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine.

[0047] Also located in the fluid container 2 is a heat source 6, e.g., a heater designed to heat the fluid 4 in the fluid container 2. The heat source 6 can be completely embedded in the fluid 4, as shown schematically in Figure 1. In other embodiments not explicitly shown in the figures, the heat source 6 can also be only partially in contact with the fluid 4.

[0048] Located in the fluid container 2 is a target area 8, also shown only schematically in Figure 1, which is to be heated particularly quickly. The target area 8 can, for example, be the area around a fluid withdrawal line, which is to be heated particularly quickly in order to be able to remove thawed fluid 4 from the fluid container 2 as quickly as possible, even at low ambient temperatures. The target area 8 is spatially spaced from the heat source 6. Arranged between the heat source 6 and the target area 8 is a heat-conducting element 10, which has a higher thermal conductivity than the surrounding fluid 4. The heat-conducting element 10 is made, in particular, from a plastic with good thermal conductivity. The plastic with good thermal conductivity has, in particular, a thermal conductivity of at least 1 W / mK.

[0049] The heat-conducting element 10 transfers heat emitted by the heat source 6 to the target area 8 particularly efficiently. This allows the target area 8 to be heated particularly quickly and efficiently after the heat source 6 is activated in order to heat and thaw fluid 4 located in the target area 8.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the heat-conducting element 10 is not in direct mechanical and thermal contact with the heat source 6 and the target area 8. Rather, the heat is transferred by the fluid 4 located in the fluid container 2 from the heat source 6 to the heat-conducting element 10 and from the heat-conducting element 10 to the target area 8. However, the distances over which the heat is transferred by the fluid 4 are small compared to the total distance, ie, compared to the distance between the heat source 6 and the target area 8.

[0051] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a fluid container 2 according to the invention. The fluid container 2 shown in Figure 2, like the fluid container 2 shown in Figure 1, is equipped with a heat source 6, a target area 8, and a heat-conducting element 10 arranged between the heat source 6 and the target area 8.

[0052] In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the heat-conducting element 10 is in direct contact with the heat source 6 and the target area 8. Thus, heat emitted by the heat source 6 is transferred directly to the heat-conducting element 10 and from the heat-conducting element 10 directly to the target area 8. The efficiency of heat transfer from the heat source 6 to the target area 8 can be further increased in this way. In embodiments not explicitly shown in the figures, only the heat source 6 or only the target area 8 can be in contact with the heat-conducting element 10, while fluid 4 is located between the other part of the heat source 6 and the target area 8 and the heat-conducting element 10, as shown in Figure 1.

[0053] A heat-conducting element 10 that is not in direct contact with the heat source 6 and / or the target area 8 can be installed more easily in the fluid container 2 than a heat-conducting element 10 that is in direct contact with the heat source 6 and / or the target area 8.

[0054] Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a fluid container 2 according to the invention. The fluid container 2 shown in Figure 3, like the fluid container 2 shown in Figure 2, is equipped with a heat source 6, a target area 8, and a heat-conducting element 10 arranged between the heat source 6 and the target area 8, wherein the heat-conducting element 10 is in direct mechanical and thermal contact with the heat source 6 and the target area 8.

[0055] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the heat-conducting element 10 is surrounded by a heat-insulating material 12. The heat-insulating material 12 has a particularly low thermal conductivity, in particular a thermal conductivity that is lower than the thermal conductivity of the heat-conducting element 10 and lower than the thermal conductivity of the fluid 4 stored in the fluid container 2.

[0056] The heat-conducting element 10 can be embedded in a heat-insulating material 12, in particular with the exception of contact points where the heat-conducting element 10 is in contact with the heat source 6 and / or with the target area 8.

[0057] The heat-insulating material 12 reduces the transfer of heat from the heat-conducting element 10 to the fluid 4 surrounding the heat-conducting element 10. In this way, the target area 8 can be heated even more efficiently by the heat generated and released by the heat source 6.

[0058] Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a fluid container 2 according to the invention. In the fourth embodiment, at least a portion of a wall 14 and / or a base 16 of the fluid container 2 is formed from the thermally conductive plastic, so that the wall 14 or the base 16 forms a thermally conductive element 10. In particular, the entire wall 14 and / or the entire base 16 of the fluid container 2 can be formed from the thermally conductive plastic.

[0059] In this exemplary embodiment, the target area 8 is located on an area of ​​the bottom 16 of the fluid container 2. The heat source 6 is arranged in an upper area of ​​the fluid container 2 and, in this exemplary embodiment, is not in direct contact with a wall 14 of the fluid container 2. The heat emitted by the heat source 6 is therefore transferred from the heat source 6 to the wall 14 of the fluid container 2 by fluid 4 located in the vicinity of the heat source 6. The heat is then efficiently transferred to the target area 8 through the wall 14 and / or the bottom 16 of the fluid container 2, which are made of a plastic with good heat conduction, so that the target area 8 can be efficiently heated in order to quickly heat and, if necessary, thaw the fluid 4 located in the target area 8.

[0060] Figure 5 shows a variant of the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 5, a region of the boundary of the fluid container 2, for example, a lid 18 of the fluid container 2, which is in direct contact with the heat source, is also formed from the highly heat-conducting plastic. This allows heat emitted by the heat source 6 to be transferred even more efficiently from the heat source 6 to the target area 8.

[0061] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a section of a fluid container 2 which is designed according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0062] A first region 21 and a second region 22 are formed in the fluid container 2. The first region 21 and the second region 22 are each intended to receive fluid 4 and are separated from each other by a heat-insulating element 23, for example, a fluid-permeable filter element 23.

[0063] A heat source 6 is configured, for example, as a heating element in the first region 21. The target region 8 is part of a fluid extraction line 28, which is fluidically connected to the second region 22 by a fluid connection 24.

[0064] Fluid 4 from the first region 21 passes through the heat-insulating element 23 into the second region 22 and through the fluid connection 24 into the fluid extraction line 28.

[0065] Heat W emitted by the heat source 6 only slowly and with a delay passes through the heat-insulating element 23 into the second region 22 and further into the target region 8 in the fluid extraction line 28. Therefore, the target region 8 cannot be heated quickly and efficiently in this way. In particular, there is a risk that frozen fluid 4 located in the target region 8 cannot be thawed quickly enough to reliably ensure rapid extraction of fluid 4 from the fluid container 2, even at low ambient temperatures.

[0066] To enable rapid and more efficient heating of the target area 8, a heat-conducting element 10 according to the invention, made of a highly heat-conducting plastic, is provided. The heat-conducting element 10 extends from the first area 21 into the second area 22 and, in particular, into the target area 8.

[0067] The heat-conducting element 10 according to the invention creates a short, direct thermal connection or "thermal bridge" between the first region 21 and the target region 8. The heat-conducting element 10 according to the invention thus enables the target region 8 to be heated quickly and efficiently. In this way, frozen fluid 4 located in the target region 8 can also be quickly thawed and then removed in liquid form from the fluid container 2 through the fluid removal line 28.

[0068] Figure 7 shows a section of a fluid container 2 which is designed according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0069] The fluid container 2 shown in Figure 7 also has a first region 21 and a second region 22, which are separated from each other by a heat-insulating element 23. A heat-conducting element 10 according to the invention, which is made of a highly heat-conducting plastic, extends through the heat-insulating element 23 from the first region 21 into the second region 22.

[0070] Here too, the heat-conducting element 10 makes it possible to efficiently transfer heat emitted by the heat source 6 arranged in the first region 21 to the target region 8 located in the second region 22 in order to heat and, if necessary, thaw the fluid 4 located there.

[0071] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the heat-conducting element 10 is also designed as a fluid-conducting element, in particular as a pipe or tube, which enables fluid 4 to flow from the first region 21 into the second region 22, in particular directly into the target region 8.

[0072] If the heat-conducting element 10 is also designed as a fluid-conducting element, as shown in Figure 7, it is possible to dispense with the provision of a separate fluid-conducting element to allow fluid 4 to flow from the first region 21 into the second region 22. The structure of the fluid container 2 can thus be simplified and made particularly cost-effective.

[0073] The fluid- and heat-conducting element 10 can also be designed in a form other than that shown in Figure 7. The fluid- and heat-conducting element 10 can, for example, be designed as a single- or multiply-angled pipe or as a flexible hose extending from the first region 21 into the second region 22.

[0074] Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a motor vehicle 60 which is equipped with a fluid container 2 designed according to the invention.

[0075] The motor vehicle 60 has an internal combustion engine 38, in particular a diesel engine, and an exhaust gas aftertreatment system 30 for aftertreating the exhaust gases 48 emitted by the internal combustion engine 38 during operation.

[0076] The exhaust gas aftertreatment system 30 comprises a catalyst 50 arranged in an exhaust system 36 of the internal combustion engine 38, and a system 31 for introducing a fluid reducing agent ("fluid") 4, in particular an aqueous urea solution (C>AdBlue®), stored in a fluid container 2 ("fluid tank") according to the invention, into the exhaust system 36 of the internal combustion engine 38.

[0077] During operation of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 30, reducing agent 4 is withdrawn from the fluid container 2 according to the invention via a fluid withdrawal line 28 and is supplied by a fluid conveying device 40, which has a fluid pump 45, under increased pressure via a suitable fluid line ("pressure line") 20 to a dosing module 44, which is arranged on the exhaust line 36 of the internal combustion engine 38.

[0078] The dosing module 44 comprises an injection device designed and configured to inject the reducing agent 4 as a metered spray 46 into the exhaust system 36. In the exhaust system 36, the injected reducing agent 4 mixes with the exhaust gases 48 of the internal combustion engine 38 flowing through the exhaust system 36 and reacts with the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gases 48 to form water and nitrogen in the catalyst 50 provided downstream of the dosing module 44 in the exhaust system 36.

[0079] The exhaust gas aftertreatment system 30 comprises a plurality of sensors 52, 54, 56, for example temperature sensors 52, 54, which are arranged upstream and downstream of the catalyst 50 on or in the exhaust line 36, and a nitrogen oxide sensor (“NO x -Sensor”) 56, which is arranged downstream of the catalyst 50 in the exhaust system 36.

[0080] The sensors 52, 54, 56 deliver their measurement results to a control unit 58, which is designed to control the components of the exhaust gas aftertreatment system 30, in particular the fluid conveying device 40 and the dosing module 44, in such a way that the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gases 48 of the internal combustion engine 38 are reduced to nitrogen and water as best as possible.

[0081] A fluid container 2 designed according to the invention can also be used as a component of a fuel cell 62.

[0082] Figure 9 shows a schematic view of a fuel cell 62 with a fluid container 2. In the fluid container 2 there is a proton exchange membrane 74 which separates a first region 21 of the fluid container 2 from a second region 22 of the fluid container 2.

[0083] The fluid container 2 has a first inlet 64 for supplying hydrogen from a hydrogen storage container 65 to the first region 21 of the fuel cell 62, and a second inlet 66 for supplying oxygen from an oxygen storage container 67 to the second region 22 of the fuel cell 62. Also located in the fluid container 2 is a water separator 76, which is designed to separate water generated during operation of the fuel cell 62 and to discharge it from the fuel cell 62 through an outlet 68. A drain valve 78 can be provided in the outlet 68.

[0084] A first electrode 70 is located in the first region 21 of the fuel cell 62; a second electrode 72 is located in the second region 22 of the fuel cell 62.

[0085] Below the fluid container 2 there is a heat source 6, for example an electrical heat source 6.

[0086] A first heat-conducting element 10a is arranged between the heat source 6 and the first inlet 64 in order to transfer heat emitted by the heat source 6 to the first inlet 64 and / or to the hydrogen storage container 65.

[0087] Alternatively or additionally, a second heat-conducting element 10b is provided, which is designed to transfer heat emitted by the heat source 6 to the membrane 74 in the fluid container 2 and / or to the outlet 68 of the fluid container 2.

[0088] The second heat-conducting element 10b can in particular be designed to transfer heat from the heat source 6 to the water separator 76 and / or to the drain valve 78 in the drain 68 in order to ensure the functionality of the water separator 76 and the drain valve 78.

[0089] In other embodiments not explicitly shown in the figures, a plurality of heat-conducting elements 10a, 10b may also be provided to transfer heat emitted by the heat source 6 to the membrane 74 and to the outlet 68 of the fluid container 2.

[0090] At least one third heat-conducting element may also be provided, which is not shown in Figure 9 and which is designed to transfer heat emitted by the heat source 6 to the second inlet 66 and / or to the oxygen storage container 67.

[0091] Each of the heat-conducting elements 10a, 10b may be a heat-conducting element 10 as previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

[0092] In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the heat source 6 and the heat-conducting elements 10a, 10b are arranged outside the fluid container 2.

[0093] In embodiments of a fuel cell 62 according to the invention not explicitly shown in the figures, the heat source 6 and at least one heat-conducting element 10a, 10b can also be arranged within the fluid container 2, as shown in Figures 1 to 8.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A fluid container (2) for holding a fluid (4), comprising a heat source (6) configured to heat the fluid (4) contained in the fluid container (2), and at least one heat-conducting element (10, 10a, 10b) configured to transfer heat from the heat source (6) to at least one target region (8) spaced apart from the heat source (6), wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10, 10a, 10b) is made of a plastic with good heat conductivity; and wherein the fluid container (2) is in particular a component of a fuel cell (62) or of an exhaust gas aftertreatment system (30) for aftertreating exhaust gases (48) of an internal combustion engine (38).

2. Fluid container (2) according to claim 1, wherein the good thermal conductivity plastic has a greater thermal conductivity than the fluid (4) to be stored in the fluid container (2), wherein the good thermal conductivity plastic in particular has a thermal conductivity which is greater than or equal to 1 W / mK 3. Fluid container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid container (2) has a first region (21) and a second region (22) which are separated from one another by a heat-insulating element (23; 74), wherein the heat-insulating element (23; 74) has a lower thermal conductivity than the highly heat-conducting plastic, wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10, 10a, 10b) extends through the heat-insulating element (23; 74) between the first region (21) and the second region (22) in order to transfer heat (W) from the first region (21) to the second region (22).

4. Fluid container (2) according to claim 3, wherein the first region (21) and the second region (21) are separated from one another by a filter element (23) or a membrane (74), wherein the filter element (23) or the membrane (74) is in particular the heat-insulating element (23; 74).

5. Fluid container (2) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10) is designed as a fluid-conducting element, in particular as a tube or as a hose, and enables fluid (4) to flow through the fluid-conducting element from the first region (21) into the second region (22) and / or from the second region (22) into the first region (21).

6. Fluid container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10, 10a, 10b) is in direct thermal and / or mechanical contact with the heat source (6) and / or wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10, 10a, 10b) is in direct thermal and / or mechanical contact with the target area (8).

7. Fluid container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10) is at least partially surrounded by a heat-insulating material (12) which has a lower thermal conductivity than the at least one heat-conducting element (10), and / or wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10) is at least partially in contact with fluid (4) stored in the fluid container (2).

8. Fluid container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat source (6) and the at least one heat-conducting element (10) are arranged inside or outside the fluid container (2).

9. Exhaust gas aftertreatment system (30) for the aftertreatment of exhaust gases (48) of an internal combustion engine (38), in particular exhaust gases (48) of a diesel engine, wherein the exhaust gas aftertreatment system (30) is equipped with a fluid container (2) according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Motor vehicle (60) with an internal combustion engine (38) which is equipped with an exhaust gas aftertreatment system (30) for aftertreating exhaust gases (48) of the internal combustion engine (38) according to claim 9.

11. Fuel cell (62) with a fluid container (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

12. Fuel cell (62) according to claim 11, wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10b) is designed to transfer heat from the heat source (6) to a membrane (74) of the fuel cell (62).

13. Fuel cell (62) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10a, 10b) is designed to transfer heat from the heat source (6) to an inlet (64, 66), an outlet (68) and / or an outlet valve (78) of the fuel cell (62) arranged in the outlet (68).

14. Fuel cell (62) according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10a, 10b) is designed to transfer heat from the heat source (6) to a storage container (65, 67) which is designed to store fuel, in particular hydrogen, for the fuel cell (62).

15. Fuel cell (62) according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the fuel cell (62) has a water separator (76) which is designed to separate water which is generated during operation of the fuel cell (62), and wherein the at least one heat-conducting element (10a, 10b) is designed to transfer heat from the heat source (6) to the water separator (76).

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