Stack Development at AFC Energy-Aiming towards the Deployment of World’s Largest Alkaline Fuel Cell System

摘要

At AFC Energy, UK we are continuously striving to meet our objectives towards the deployment of the world’s largest alkaline fuel cell system at Air Products’ industrial gas plant in Stade, Germany. The system will equip multiple cartridges containing stacks which are made of several cells connected electrically. In order to gain further insights as to how a systems’ balance of plant will respond when multiple cartridges are connected to it, several experiments are carried out both with and without stacks. It has been observed that the multiple stacks when connected at different positions of the balance of plant could experience operational in-homogeneity due to pressure drops and temperature differences. This operational in-homogeneity could lead to difference in performance amongst multiple stacks. Interestingly, multiple stacks degrade identically due to a common single balance of plant which ensures identical electrolyte concentration and environmental conditions for all stacks. Due to the confidence gained in the durability data, this study allows us to explore durability of stacks when made with different manufacturing processes and operated differently. As a result of this, novel methods of operating stacks can be developed based on improved durability which will lead to a commercial success of the project POWER-UP.