Fuel cell research plays an important role in our energy transition supporting a clean, energetic future. Fuel cells make it possible to transform hydrogen from renewable energy sources back to electricity. Mass flow control is becoming a key factor in fuel cell development and testing since fuel cells heavily depend on fluidic parameters during testing.
A new fuel cell design depends on a lot of parameters. To test them correctly, operators need to know the properties and number of gaseous parameters, as accurately as possible. The final test result is never better than how precise input is controlled.
Fuel cell test houses, universities, and fuel cell test equipment manufacturers benefit from this basic knowledge when they use our flow control and measurement technology.
For those who are not familiar with fuel cells, let’s start with some basics. For example, PEM-type fuel cells (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) depend on executing an electrochemical process, amongst other types of fuel cells. Therefore, it can only supply electrical current when it receives the following:
This is preferably executed with optimal ‘stoichiometry’, which is a key factor for fuel cell efficiency. Furthermore, flow control in producing hydrogen plays a critical role.
The efficiency of the fuel cells depends on the composition and amount of humidified hydrogen and air, their flow speed, pressure conditions, and the pressure difference across membranes. As a result, the sweet spot for optimal performance is influenced by numerous external factors. For example, the necessary electrical load along with ambient and fluid temperatures impact fuel cell efficiency.
Another factor in play is the fuel cell design itself and its attached parameters. For example, membrane thickness, type of electrolyte, active electrode surface area, the effectivity of gas diffusion layers, etc.
The graph schematic below gives an indication of mass flow control instruments as seen in test-setups. It shows where you can apply our mass flow instruments. To keep it simple, the flow meters and pressure instruments take care of the main liquid, gas, and pressure measurement and control related tasks. Moreover, it’s simple to see the fluidic dependencies and interactions.
Our Vapor Generation System integrates a CEM, a gas and a liquid flow meter, and a user-friendly, color touchscreen interface. As a result, operators can generate vapor in a highly accurate, repeatable, and controllable manner. The controller offers high functionality including continuous operation, totalizing mode for batching, easy start/stop, and more. Best of all, this Vapor Generation System is ethernet enabled which means it can data log processes for analytical tracking in addition to granting remote access and monitoring.
The result of any test, is as good as the sum of accuracies
Consider that all fluidic control and measured dependencies always interact simultaneously. Knowing this, operators can understand that these have a major influence on functional tests and stress tests, including both single cells and fuel cell stacks. Furthermore, many test goals for fuel cells or for fuel-treating systems are affected by this. For example, when determining performance indicators and characterizations (according to IEC 62882-series or other standards). As a result, the realized input feed control accuracy can have a huge impact on your systematic uncertainty.
The FLEXI-FLOW features a new concept of measuring mass flow and pressure that is based on a technology called TCS, Through Chip Sensor. This new sensor consists of a capillary tube made with MEMS technology and combines the best of two worlds. As a result, this creates a fast and stable flow sensor, applied in our proven bypass construction, for a reliable and highly accurate flow measurement.
The FLEXI-FLOW truly is flexible to use and can both measure and control mass flow and pressure in one instrument. This gas flow controller is one of the most compact ones in our product portfolio. Moreover, it allows users to save space in their system and a reduction of weight and was designed specially with analytical and research labs in mind.
The EL-FLOW Base Series is another one of Bronkhorst’s gas mass flow controllers that can provide the accuracy and repeatability required for users to mix their own calibration gas. Up to 12 gas cylinders are connected to an equal amount of mass flow controllers. The accurately controlled gas flows enter a mixing chamber, after which, the mixture is fed to a gas chromatograph for calibration purposes.
Another good choice to control your fuel cell related- flow, pressure, and density conditions is the Bronkhorst IN-FLOW, High Flow Meter. This device is based on a thermal bypass mass flow measuring technology. A mass flow controller based on this principle can achieve the most flexible, accurate and repeatable fluidic control. For example:
Bronkhorst has developed the IQ+FLOW mass flow sensor, which uses micro solid state technology (MEMS) that reduces the footprint dimension to 0.75″, or half of conventional mass flow meters. In addition, the IQ+FLOW pressure meter and controller is available. The IQ+FLOW Series offers both ultra compact flow and pressure meters and controllers.
Our full line of flow meters and controllers surely offers a great solution to fit your exact requirements. From the ultra compact FLEXI-FLOW and IQ+FLOW to the industrial style EL-FLOW Base or high flow IN-FLOW, we can support your process from research and development to full scale operations.
We have mass flow control instruments available for OEM applications, laboratory applications as well as industrial versions. In case multiple gaseous fuels are used, products support on-board multi-fluid configuration.
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