Reproducible SOFC MEA testing - FuelCon's full-ceramic cell housing allows easy testing of SOFC MEAs

Reproducible characterization of SOFC single cell power density is important for various applications. Cell development requires accurate assignment of material parameters and electrochemical characteristics; and also benchmarking of different manufacturing technologies and suppliers needs simple test equipment that ensures reproducible test setups. In this regard, special emphasis is put on the gas-tight mechanical mounting including the essential gas supply and electrical connection of a MEA. Managing these important factors is guaranteed by so-called cell housings.

Mainly, cell housings are designed for tests and measurements at different planar fuel cell types, such as ESC, ASC and MSC. Electrolyte supported cells already have a high performance and good redox stability, anode supported cells (ASC) at higher performance still lack redox stability. Metal supported cells (MSC) are still under development but already feature positive redox stability and optimum characteristics for thermal cycling. Research and evaluation of these parameters play a decisive role in pushing forward market access of products using SOFC technologies.

With the development of the full-ceramic TrueXessory-HT, FuelCon responds to the demand of easy-to-handle test equipment that also ensures reproducible test setups. The use of ceramics as sole material eliminates negative impact on cell performance, for example through chrome contamination, and together with the perfected sealing concept of the even-grinded ceramic surfaces, allow a simple test setup as well as the best fuel and oxygen supply. Doing so, optimum conditions for reproducible cell performance testing can be achieved. The non-destructive concept of cell integration allows the application of various post mortem analysis methods.

The FuelCon cell housing is applicable for an active cell surface of 5x5 cm2. By using special adapter frames differing cell thickness of ASC and ESC can be compensated individually so that every cell can exactly be positioned in the housing. Varying thickness of electrodes can be balanced by application of nickel or platinum nets.

By applying an innovative compression system the TrueXessory-HT is also suitable for tests with varying compression forces. Through the balanced compression distribution in the cell housing compression conditions similar to a stack can be simulated on a single cell. The TrueXessory cell housing can be used with all MEA test stations of the Evaluator-HT series for which pre-defined and proven test program libraries are already available. Thus, FuelCon offers innovative solutions for short-term tests, material screening, long-term test and in-line quality management for all requirements of SOFC fuel cell technologies.

The development of the cell housing was carried out in close collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS.

Let yourself be convinced by the quality of our products and solutions and meet us from June 26-29, 2012 at the 10th European SOFC Forum at the Culture and Convention Center Lucerne, Switzerland (booth B14).

About FuelCon:

Consequently intelligent: that’s how we love solutions. FuelCon is the global leading supplier of test and diagnostic systems for fuel cells and batteries. For years, our name is recognized for innovative engineering and high quality, for highest safety standards and close consultation with our costumer.

Our test stations can be operated completely automatically and unattended. For fuel cells, we offer testing systems for PEM, DMFC and SOFC in a power range between a few watts up to 150kW. For evaluating batteries and battery cells, we have developed a modular test system with different charge-discharge units, flexible safety concept and innovative test station operation that can be customized for each technical demand.

Aside the headquarters in Germany, FuelCon is with its subsidiary FuelCon Systems Inc. and several representatives active in Europe, North America and Asia.

FuelCon AG

Julia von Mandel
Steinfeldstr. 1
D-39179 Magdeburg-Barleben

T + 49 39203 514 400
F + 49 39203 514 409
info@fuelcon.com
www.fuelcon.com

This release was published on openPR.