Fuel Cel Test Station • First debuted in 1997, Arbin noticed a growing need for quality fuel cel testing capabilities in the market • Combines several proprietary technologies to provide a completely automated solution for fuel cell research in a compact foot print • We now offer a logical range of FCTS adaptations for each power levels, ranging from 10W – 100kW for PEM, DM and SOFC fuel cel s Fuel Cel Test Station “Options” 50W DM 28” x 40” x 59” 20kW PEM & DM 200W PEM 40” x 80” x 77” 28” x 40” x 77” 1kW PEM & DM 40” x 50” x 77” Fuel Cel Test Station - Functions • Input Gas Handling • Liquid Reactant Handling • Dew Point Humidifier • Exhaust Gas Treatment • Stack Cooling/Heating • Electronic Load • Software, Control and DAQ • Arbin’s FCTS incorporates a two level safety system: ₋ Module level & Overall system level ₋ The two levels work together to make FCTS extremely safe to operate both to the user and to the system Input Gas Handling (IGH) Module • High accuracy and fast response time – Standard flow rate accuracy is 1% full scale with a 50:1 turndown ratio – Flow rate response time is 2 seconds when in non-ramping operation • Automatic function for set-and-forget operation – All input gasses are controlled via PC with Arbin’s Mits Pro Software • Proprietary mixing system with backflow prevention • Automatic N2 Purge – Controlled by the central safety system with automatic operation and a fail-open operation • Ability to control molar flow rate with stoic control Input Gas Handling (IGH) Safety • Hydrogen sensor and alarm • Toxic gas sensor and alarm (standard if FCTS is equipped with a CO line) • Automatic Fail-Safe(fail-open) purge system • Fail-safe (fail-closed) oxidant and fuel gas control • User Intervention for safety override Combustible gas sensor Liquid Reactant Handling Module • Consists of a liquid reactant recirculation loop with: – Heating/cooling capability – Pressure control – Flow rate control – Level Control • Automatic level control, fed to the cel or stack via PC control ed piston or gear pump • User selects recirculation or single pass type operation • Automatic product gas venting – Vents off any built up product gas such as CO2 • Low power stack/cel cooling when not in operation • Composition sampling port Safety • Quick drain and purge to facilitate quick changing of liquid fuels • Over temperature shut down • Over pressure shut down • Module monitored by overall safety system Dew Point Humidifier Module • Accurately controls the passing gas dew point temperature, which is the only effective way to control gas humidity • Automatic water level and replenishment to provide stable humidity for long period testing • Compact and simple structure – User does not have to set-up separate boiler, bubbler and condenser • Dry Gas Bypass – Software controlled bypass, gas temperature still controlled • Dynamic Range – Wide flow range – turndown ratio better than 100:1, allows stack and cell testing with single tester • 4 zone PID control for temperature Dew Point Humidifier Thermocouple • Wide dew point temperature range Fuel Cell Inlet Gas Heater +20 to 95°C (standard) and up to 140°C (optional) Thermocouple • Wide gas temperature range Water Separator Max Temp: 100°C(standard) up to 150° C (optional) Coolant Out • High Accuracy: ± 0.5 °C typical dew point control Coolant In accuracy Condenser • Fast Response Time: 5-10 °C per minute on temperature set point change Mixer • High stability Water Level Alarm & Overheat Alarm Dry Gas Inlet Even during periods of changing flow rates, temperature or humidity Auto Water Leveling Boiler Auto DI Water Replenish • >90% efficient • Automatic DPH coolant flow rate control • Heated Transfer Lines Safety • Water level sensor and alarm • Over/Under Temperature alarm Stack Cooling / Heating Module • A common but optional module, it allows accurate temperature control using a liquid coolant • Can be used to keep high power stacks cool, or heat a stack to operating temperature • Temperature Control Range Range from the coolant temperature plus 20°C up to 90°C at atmospheric pressure • Temperature accuracy: 2°C or better (Typically 1°C) • Temperature rise time: between 1-3°C/min depending on the heat transfer properties of stack Safety • Automatic replenishment • Over/Under temperature alarm • Turndown ratio: flow rate controllable with turn down • Low level alarm ratio of 20:1 and response time <5seconds • Low flow rate shut off and alarm • Supports various coolant types • Self correcting overpressure • Built in water filter system A coolant filter is included in the recirculation loop to protect the fuel cell/stack Exhaust Gas Treatment Module • Handles the exhaust gas leaving the fuel cell • Consists of a gas-water segregation system which cools the exhaust and back pressure controller – Water is removed from the exhaust gas stream for better back pressure control – Water is then drained automatically and can be metered for water balancing(option) • Controls the operating pressure for the cathode and anode side – Completely automatic and software controlled • User can define pressure ramps or steps, as well as have Bypass Back system react to some other system parameter such as cell Valve pressure voltage (auto) regulator • Water level maintained to ensure proper operation and employs automatic water draining Gas exhaust Fuel Cel Condenser • Fast response time: Pressure response time is 2 seconds H2O or faster unless in ramping operation where the user Segregator specifies the pressure change rate Auto H2O leveling & reservoir H2O level alarm • High Stability and smooth operation without pressure interruption Auto H2O drain Electronic Load Module • Current, Voltage and Power Control • Handles OCV, CC, CV, CP, CR, Voltage and current ramps (polarization curve). • Custom configuration • User defined current and voltage ranges 3 Current ranges for higher accuracy • Automatic and programmable control • 0V cut off to prevent negative voltage on sample Common Applications • Polarization Curves Find the optimal operating point and performance characteristics of the FC • Internal Resistance Measurements Using current interrupt method, Arbin FCTS systems can measure the DC Internal Resistance and use the col ected data to control the test Common Applications • Lifetime Testing Apply a constant current discharge on the FC until the voltage drops by 10% or out of acceptable range • Stoichiometric Control Allows users to set proper gas ratios and the system will scale flowrates accordingly • Cyclic Voltammetry Provides insight into the fuel cell reaction kinetics and characterize fuel cell catalyst activity in greater detail Optional Auxiliaries • Auxiliary Voltage Input: Usually a floating ±10V range with 10 G Ohm input impedance • Thermocouple Input: Type T, K, J, E • Thermistor Input: Provides activation signal • Smart Battery: The BT2000 reads for the thermistor information from a smart battery and tests • Pressure Input: Provides activation signal to the smart battery accordingly the pressure transducer • Flow Rate Input: Reads data from the gas • pH meter: A BNC connector is provided for or liquid flow meter into data file input from the p H sensor • Programmable Digital Input/Output • External Charge/Load Adapter: This option Control: Input control provides external is to test a battery under a specific TTL or relay signal to control the testing charger/load or to test the charger/load. It while output control provides TTL or connects the battery under test to an isolated relay output to trigger external external charger or load. devices such as valves or alarm. Optional Utilities • Auto-Calibration allows for automatic calibration of the main I/V channels and auxiliary inputs for higher number-of-channel systems • Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) protects against computer shutdown in the event of power failure. Arbin recommends • Temperature chamber or device controller a UPS for the system’s protection. to control Arbin temperature chamber or • Software can control multiple Temperature other brands of temperature chamber. Chambers which are added to the system to • Mass flow or metering pump controller to provide environmental control around deliver required flow rate set in the testing tested cell/battery. schedule and record flow rate data in a • AC Impedance Measurement to achieve data file. certain accuracy (± 5~6% of value) of the • Combustible or toxic gas detector and cell’s AC impedance. alarm. MITS Pro 5.0 for FCTS • Menu Driven User Interface • Multiple Zone PID Precise control over a wide range of test parameters • Stoichiometric Control Allows users to set proper gas ratios and the system will scale flowrates accordingly • “On the Fly” Test Modifications Make changes to a running test without stopping, pausing, or restarting MITS Pro 5.0 for FCTS • Real time variable monitoring and control Al ows quick access to useful information • Logical Commands Makes it highly flexible • Data Watcher • Quick and Simple data importing in MS Excel • Comprehensive programmable operating conditions MITS Pro, Control & DAQ Module • Software Control • Background Parameters – Constant Current – System Temperatures – Constant Voltage – System Pressures – Constant Load – System Gas and Liquid Flow Rates – Constant Power – Dew Points – Current and Voltage Ramps – Current and Voltage Staircases – Current and Voltage Pulses – Current and Voltage Output based on user defined formula MITS Pro, Control & DAQ Module Data Logging: – Stack Cooling/Heating Module (SCH) – Electronic Load Module (ELOAD) • Stack Cooling: Coolant Temperature • Data Point In to Stack • Test Time • Stack Cooling: Coolant Temperature • Date Time Out of Stack • Step Time • Stack Cooling: Coolant Pressure • Step Index In/Out (optional) • Cycle Index • Stack Cooling: Coolant Flow Rate • Cycle Time • Stack Voltage • Stack Current • Discharge Energy • Discharge Capacity • dV/dt • Internal Resistance • The interval between data points can be set by increment of time, voltage and current. Software: Writing a Test Schedule Schedule Writing 1 2 3 4 1. Control Type. 2. Control Value 3. Termination Condition 4. Data Collection Condition Software: Results File • Results files directly in Access / Excel format • Simple macro to automate graphs • Simple data analysis Software: Data Analysis & Manipulation Data Analysis is Easy w/ Included Software and Macros Document Outline Slide Number 1 Slide Number 2 Slide Number 3 Slide Number 4 Slide Number 5 Slide Number 6 Slide Number 7 Slide Number 8 Slide Number 9 Slide Number 10 Slide Number 11 Slide Number 12 Slide Number 13 Slide Number 14 Slide Number 15 Slide Number 16 Slide Number 17 Slide Number 18 Slide Number 19 Slide Number 20 Slide Number 21 Slide Number 22 Slide Number 23