AFC Non-Platinum Electrodes Perform on a Par with Platinum-based Electrodes in Field Test
13 October 2009
AFC Energy PLC, the UK-based developer of low-cost alkaline fuel cells, successfully completed a field test of its first-generation, non-platinum electrodes at AkzoNobel’s chlor–alkali plant in Bitterfeld, Germany. During the test AFC Energy’s fuel cell system fed electricity into AkzoNobel’s grid, on a par with previous field tests using platinum-based electrodes.
An upgrade to AFC Energy’s development facility is now close to completion. This upgrade is aimed at reducing the time taken to develop and optimize electrode materials and to enable the company to rapidly manufacture sufficient electrodes for its initial requirements. The iteration time to prepare new electrode materials, manufacture electrodes, test them, analyze them and review their performance is now a matter of hours rather than days as it was prior to the upgrade. The Company now has the capability to manufacture, depending upon the precise process details, up to 1,000 electrodes per day in house.
The next significant phase of development is the continuing improvement to electrode and system performance towards its full design specification. In parallel with this work, the upgraded development facility and the recruitment of additional staff has enabled AFC Energy to accelerate development of its large fuel cell system which is designed to work at up to 50 kilowatts. The company now expects the 50 kW System to be ready for field trials as early as the first calendar quarter of 2011. This 50 kW System will be the building block for large scale, multi-megawatt installations.
AFC Energy’s core focus remains on delivering commercially viable fuel cell systems to the chlor-alkali industry for stationary power generation from its surplus hydrogen, which is generated as a by-product. The Company is continuing to target additional markets for the efficient generation of electricity from hydrogen, including the waste to energy market where hydrogen can be liberated from organic waste.
Would be nice to see some system cost estimates for their fuel-cell system. At least some approximate USD/kw for a 50kw system.
Posted by: soltesza | 13 October 2009 at 11:25 AM
Yes, it would be nice to see some cost FC estimates
Guess their just impractical..
Posted by: kelly | 13 October 2009 at 04:48 PM
I looked at their web site and it seems like a good design. AFCs could be good for storing energy, they are efficient can and use both the hydrogen and oxygen from the electrolysis.
Some designs are reversible, where they are both electrolyzer and fuel cell. When they are making hydrogen and oxygen, they are endothermic and can be used for cooling. When they are fuel cells, they are exothermic and can be used for building heating.
Posted by: SJC | 14 October 2009 at 07:36 PM