Infrastructure for producing fuel cell components and catalysts for chemical and electrochemical processes. This includes the production of polymer electrolyte membranes and the application of electrodes to a carrier or the membrane, which enables the in-house manufacturing of complete membrane electrode assemblies (MEA).
The manufacturing of solid catalysts in small series is particularly relevant for innovative heterogeneous catalytic processes in hydrocarbon processing and hydrogen-related processes. Suitable samples are prepared wet-chemically and/or dry-chemically.
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Elcometer 4340 Automatic Film Applicator is an equipment for preparing a wide variety of product samples including film and membrane preparation. The casting speed can be controlled with various level. The film thickness can be adjusted in 10 micro steps from 0 to 6mm by means of two integrated micrometric screws on Elcometer 3580 Casting Knife.
This equipment can use different polymers to prepare electrospun nanofibers. In Fuel Cells application, it can be used for membrane and electrode preparation.
TL-Pro Electrospinning machine is an equipped with:
Rotating-Disc-Electrode (RDE) for ex-situ characterization as well as half-and single cell tests for in-situ characterization of catalysts for electrochemical cells. In detail Long-term properties or degradation effects are characterized in appropriate setups at different operating points.
Electrochemical characterization and long-term testing:
Polarization curve measurements, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) are applied for determination of:
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is applied to identify certain degradation phenomena and total harmonic distortion analysis (THDA) is applied as a fast in-situ online monitoring technique. Off-gas CO2-monitoring and waste water analysis (fluoride/fluorine emission analysis) characterize carbon corrosion and membrane degradation.
The test stand for automotive polymer electrolyte fuel cells is designed to test single cells as well as short stacks. The test equipment is capable to conduct measurements with single cells with an active area up to 300 cm2 and also short stacks with up to 10 cells. The main features are a load with a current range of up to 600 A, the electrochemical test station for in-situ characterization measurements like impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry over a wide range of frequencies and sweep rates.
The temperature of the fuel cell system is controlled by a liquid media temperature controller. All conditions like mass flows, humidity and pressure can be controlled. The switch box enables single cell voltage monitoring for short stacks as well as safety shut done procedures in case of undesired events. Remote control and external warning systems are included. The software includes beside a manual mode a process handler mode that provides the possibility to predefine thousands of consecutive process steps.
Therefore, this test stand is ideal for accelerate stress test measurements and can simulate automotive events like hundreds of startup and shut down cycles that normally take months or years in just some hours or days. Also load cycles tests like the ‘New European Driving Cycle’ (NEDC) can be conducted and that makes this test system superior for automotive fuel cell applications.
PEM fuel cell test station (type G60) by Greenlight Innovation GmbH for single PEM fuel cell testing including following specifications:
The performance of single PEM fuel cells is characterized on laboratory scale by means of electrochemical measurement methods:
In addition, accelerated stress tests can be performed through rapid and simple modification of various operation parameters via the test station.
Process gas and trace gas analytic systems for in-situ and ex-situ analysis of refinery-, hydrogen- and synthetic gases. Determination by micro gas chromatograph (µGC) or infrared spectrometer in the range of 1 ppm-100% for a wide range of common compounds:
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) can be performed in the range between RT and 1250 °C on inorganic and organic samples. A steam furnace, allows the supply of steam in quantities of up to 10 g/h.
Possible applications are determination of:
Thermogravimetric balance (Netzsch STA 449 C Jupiter) including:
Small- and large-scale lab test benches for the evaluation of high-temperature hydrocarbon- and hydrogen-related processes (up to 1000 °C) from 10 W to 20 kW. Characterization and long-term lifetime testing of catalytic materials, thermal investigation of reactor designs and -materials as well as demonstration at an enlarged scale for process characterization and -development.
Equipment for the evaluation of the porosity of solids. The analysis comprises of a low and a high pressure step to characterize the pore size distribution within the sample by forcing mercury into the pores. To allow meaningful analyses, the sample has to be resistant towards pressure of up to 400 MPa and needs to be stable in pure Hg. Samples of approx. 0.5g can be tested.
Bettina Koch Mag.phil.
Jutta Freißmuth Oberkontrollorin
Tel. +43 (316) 873 - 7462 Fax +43 (316) 873 - 107462 jutta.freissmuthnoSpam@tugraz.at Visitenkarte