Fuel cell testing laboratory

Fuel cell test stations up to 100 W for single cells up to 5 cm² (4+2 units)

Technical details

• Electronic loadbank up to 30 A
• Potentiostat 5 V, 20 A with EIS
• Station equipped with a Nafion tube bubbler type humidifier and dry bypass, available dew point up to 100% RH, max 95 °C.

MFCs

• 0 to 100 sccm anode MFC (hydrogen)
• 0 to 500 sccm cathode MFC (air)
• 0 to 100 sccm nitrogen, mixable into anode or cathode
• 0 to 100 sccm other gas, mixable into anode or cathode
• Electronic back-pressure control (up to 3 Barg)
• Station is fully computer controlled and allows for control by user scripts (integrated or custom external scripts written e.g. in Python).
• Station allows polarization curve measurements, cell impedance measurements, study of cell impedance, catalyst active area estimation (Pt based catalyst), H₂ crossover measurements, programming of various testing protocols, etc. 

Key capabilities

• Simultaneous measurements of 4 independent samples (1 sample per 1 unit).
• Fast performance estimation and catalyst screening.
• Durability estimation by accelerated stress tests.
• Precise parameter control for low loading/small amount catalyst systems.
• Wide temperature range: RT to 95 ^oC (4 units) or RT to 200 ^oC (2 units).
• Individual humidity control for cathode and anode feed lines (dew point setting or humidifier bypassing).
• Fixed flow or fixed stoichiometry gas feed.

Samples requirements

• Station can operate in acidic or alkaline, low- and high-temperature environments. Samples can be prepared using facilities of our equipment (ultrasonic spraying, Mayer rod, decal) or can be brought with user.

Multipurpose fuel cell test stations up to 100 W for single cells or small stacks with area from 5 cm² up to 50 cm² (2 units)

Technical details

• Electronic loadbank up to 240 A
• Station equipped with a Nafion tube bubbler type humidifier and dry bypass, available dew point up to 100% RH, max 95 °C.

MFCs

• 0 to 2 slpm anode MFC (hydrogen)
• 0 to 50 slpm cathode MFC (air)
• 0 to 100 sccm nitrogen, mixable into anode or cathode
• 0 to 100 sccm other gas, mixable into anode or cathode
• Electronic back-pressure control (up to 3 Barg)
• Station is fully computer controlled and allows for control by user scripts (integrated or custom external scripts written e.g. in Python).
• Stations are optimized for measurements of larger cells, allowing to measurements of FC polarization curves, study of gas transport using limiting current approach. With aid of external potentiostat measurement of cell impedance and catalyst active area is possible.

Key capabilities

• Large single single-cell or small-size stack testing.
• Performance measurements.
• Wide range of gas flow control (reactant feed optimization).
• Wide temperature range (RT to 95 oC).
• Estimation of stability of fuel cell operation.

Samples requirements

• Station can operate in acidic or alkaline, low- and high-temperature environments. Samples of MEA can be prepared using facilities of our equipment (ultrasonic spraying, Mayer rod, decal) or can be brought with user.

Fuel cell test station for stacks and single cells up to 2.5 kW, for cells from 25 cm² to 150 cm² active area (1 unit)

Technical details

• Electronic load up to 300 A, 120 V
• Zero voltage operation possible for large single cells
• Integrated EIS capability (1 channel, possible to characterize either selected individual cell or whole stack)
• Liquid cooling system
• Provision of control of 2x external electric heaters
• Dead end operation possible
• Station equipped with contact type bubbler humidifier, dew points up to 85 C
• Humidity sensors on anode and cathode
• Cell voltage monitoring
• Cell temperature monitoring
• Station is optimized for performance testing of large-scale cells and allows testing of user’s MEA of fully assembled stack

• Leancat standard temperature fuel cells, 5 to 50 cm² electrode active area
  
  • https://www.lean-cat.com/air-pressed-test-cell-aircell/
• Cell hardware - Leancat high temperature fuel cells (200°C), 5 cm²
  
  • https://www.lean-cat.com/air-pressed-test-cell-aircell-ht/
• Cell hardware - Tandem Technologies TP50v2 RESEARCH CELL
  
  • http://www.tandemtech.ca/tandem_try11_002.htm
• Tandem Technologies TP5 RESEARCH CELL
  
  • http://www.tandemtech.ca/tandem_try11_003.htm
• User supplied cell hardware is also generally available to integrate after agreement.

In our HTC lab, we offer a range of techniques for coating catalysts onto substrates such as membranes, gas diffusion layers (GDLs), etc. Our methods include:

• ultrasonic spraying (using the SonoTek Exacta Coat machine)
• Mayer rod coating
• drop-coating
• hot-pressing

These techniques allow for precise control over catalyst quantity, catalytic surface area, and catalyst distribution. The selection of the most suitable technique depends on factors such as your specific catalyst requirements, desired coating characteristics, amount of catalysts, the properties of the membranes, ionomers and catalyst materials used.