SOFC and PEFC fuel cell testing

Advanced fuel cell testing equipment for planar and tubular SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) and PEFC (proton exchange fuel cell)

Extensive research & development is undergoing in improvement of fuel cell technology. Increasing efficiency, endurance and lower temperature operation. CasCade has many products in their portfolio to assist you with the development and evaluation of various types of fuel cells.

fuel cell holder with transparent (thermal) visualisation window
cell holder with transparent window for (thermal) imaging
visual and thermal imaging of fuel cell
anode side (left: visual, right: thermal)
fuel cell test oven
high temperature furnace
automated fuel cell test system
automated easy to use fuel cell test system
automated PEFC 5kW class fuel cell test system
PEFC fuel cell test system (5kW class)

Contact us if you need more information regarding fuel-cell related products. Also when you cannot find what you’re looking for. Lots of possibilities.

Planar (circular or square) and tubular SOFC test holders

  • all ceramic construction: no contamination
  • maximum temperature: 900°C
  • maximum heatup/cooldown rate: 5°C/minute
  • gas inlet/outlet pipe: 6mm
  • current wire: special connector
  • voltage wire: 0.5mm platinum wire
  • temperature measurement: R type thermocouple with R type connector
  • ceramic spring construction:
    • no thermal stress
    • testholder gas seal remains intact
  • easy change of size and gas diffusion flow path by exchanging holder attachment
  • easy cell setup
  • easy to install in furnace

Compact type

  • cell size diameter: 20mm
  • flow rate: max. 1.0 NLM
  • dimension: W40xD40xH39 mm
  • weight: approx. 350g
  • max. temperature metal joint: 120°C
  • current wire: 0.5mm platinum
  • max. current: 10A
  • voltage wire: 0.5mm platinum

– Brochure fuel cell selection guide
– Operating instructions for compact SOFC test holder

compact size testholder
compact SOFC planar fuel cell testholder
compact in size

Planar button type

  • cell size diameter: 15 to 30mm
  • flow rate: 1.0 NLM
  • dimension: 90x90x65mm
  • weight: 2.2kg

– Brochure SOFC evaluation all ceramic SOFC test holder 

planar button type fuel cell testholder
button size testholder
flow pattern
button fuel cell test holder

Planar circular or square type

  • cell size diameter: 30 to 50mm
  • flow rate: 2.0 NLM
  • dimension: 90x90x65mm
  • weight: 2.2kg

– Brochure SOFC evaluation all ceramic SOFC test holder 
– Operating instructions for 50mm square SOFC test holder

planar circular or square fuel cell test holder
planar testholder
fuel cell flow pattern
flow pattern: standard or optional
circular or square fuel cell test holder

Planar circular or square type

  • cell size diameter: 50 to 120mm
  • flow rate: 3.0 NLM
  • dimension: 138x138x65mm
  • weight: 5.0kg

– Brochure SOFC evaluation all ceramic SOFC test holder 

planar testholder
fuel cell flow pattern
flow pattern: standard or optional
circular or square fuel cell test holder

Tubular type

  • cell tube diameter: 2 to 10mm
  • cell tube length: 50 to 110mm
  • flow rate: 2.0 NLM
  • dimension: 86x169x68mm
  • weight: 3.0kg

– Brochure SOFC evaluation all ceramic SOFC test holder 

tubular fuel cell test holder
tubular testholder
tubular fuel cell flow pattern
flow pattern
tubular fuel cell testholder
tubular fuel cell test holder

High speed heating type single cell SOFC test holder

High speed heating for start/stop testing of fuel cells can be evaluated with this cell holder.

High speed response is achieved by installing the heater inside the holder. Temperature can be increased up to 750°C in 30 minutes.

  • temperature heating up rate: 750°C in 30 minutes
  • cell size: 50 to 100mm (square)

Planar square SOFC single cell visualisation test holder for fuel cell and gas flow design and degrading evaluation

This 50mm square cell SOFC visualisation holder enables both visual and thermal observation of temperature distribution of the back side of the cell (anode) while controlling the environment and current. Both reactive areas can be monitored at cell operating temperature with (optional) camera.

Because of its all ceramic construction cell performance can be evaluated without metal contamination

Gas sealing at high temperature has been achieved with a high temperature spring construction which relieves thermal stress. 

SOFC anode side temperature distribution
SOFC anode side temperature distribution at various currents
  • cell size: flat type 50 or 120mm
  • flow rate: max. 2.0 NLM
  • window size: 40x40mm (sapphire)
  • dimension: W90xD90xH46mm
  • weight: 1.7kg
  • all ceramic construction: no contamination
  • maximum temperature: 900°C
  • maximum heatup/cooldown rate: 5°C/minute
  • gas inlet/outlet pipe: 1/4″
  • current wire: 1.5mm with special connector
  • voltage wire: 0.5mm platinum wire
  • temperature measurement: R type thermocouple with R type connector
  • ceramic spring construction:
    • no thermal stress
    • testholder gas seal remains intact
  • easy change of size and gas diffusion flow path by exchanging holder attachment
  • easy cell setup
  • easy to install in furnace
  • optional:
    • camera
    • max. 1000°C temperature controlled testfurnace with observation window (diameter 45mm)

– Brochure SOFC single cell visualisation ceramic SOFC test holder (optional furnace) 

fuel cell holder with transparent (thermal) visualisation window
cell holder with transparent window for (thermal) imaging
visual and thermal imaging of fuel cell
anode side (left: visual, right: thermal)
thermal imaging camera for SOFC
thermal imaging camera (optional)
fuel cell operating temperature test furnace
fuel cell test furnace with observation window and installed cell holder
program controller for test furnace
program temperature controller for test furnace

SOFC test furnaces

Different sizes of testfurnaces are available for testing fuel cells at operating temperature.

SOFC stack visualisation furnace

  • monitor temperature distribution of SOFC stack during power generation with thermal imaging cameras
  • 8 viewing holes to enable imaging from all sides of the stack
  • analysis of thermal stress damage to cell
  • cell deterioration analysis
  • optional:
    • thermal imaging camera
imaging from 8 observation holes
thermal imaging camera for SOFC
thermal imaging camera (optional)

Furnace for SOFC test holders

Test furnace for heating up of fuel cell test holders.

  • max. temperature: 1100°C
  • dimensions: W440xH520xD530mm
  • inner dimensions: W200xH150
  • weight: approx. 20kg
  • heating element: kanthal (A-1)
  • power supply: 200Vac 9A (230Vac optional)
  • program temperature controller: Chino DB630

Operating manual test furnace for SOFC holder 
Operating manual Chino DB630 program controller 
Communication manual Chino DB630 program controller 

fuel cell test oven
SOFC test holder furnace

Pressurized furnace for planar internal combustion type SOFC test holders (max. 0.8MPa)

Test furnace for evaluating SOFC at operating temperature and pressures of up to 0.8MPa.

  • all ceramic construction: no contamination
  • max. temperature: 900°C
  • max. pressure: 0.8MPa
  • easy installation and replacement of fuel cell
Inside of test furnace with fuel cell holder
pressurized SOFC test furnace
Max. 0.8MPa 900°C pressurized SOFC test furnace

TC inline hydrogen H2 gas analyser

  • difference in gas thermal conductivity is used to measure hydrogen (H2) concentration from 1 to 100%
  • Chino original glass coated platinum RTD offers high temperature stability
  • Easy maintenance

Specifications:

  • sensor type: thermal conductivity
  • measurement range: 0-100% H2
  • output signal: 4-20mAdc
  • accuracy: +/- 1% FS
  • max. gas temperature: 60°C
  • power supply: 100Vac 0.1A (use transformer for 230Vac operation)
  • warming up time: at least 15 minutes
  • operating environment: 5-45°C, 0-90% RH
  • dimensions:
    • sensor diameter: 35mm
    • sensor length: 100mm
    • control unit: 190x100x50mm
  • cable length: 3m
inline hydrogen analyser
0-100% H2 gas analyser
linearity and repeatability

High precision and large flow humidifiers

High precision humidifier

  • flow rate: 2.5 NLM (supports gas flow below 2.5 NLM)
  • dew point stability: within +/- 0.1°C
  • dew point temperature: room temperature + 10°C to +90°C
high precision fuel cell humidifier
high precision humidifier

Large flow humidifier

  • supports full stack gas flow
  • dew point stability: within +/- 2.0°C
  • compact size (3 times smaller than our conventional system)
large flow fuel cell humidifier
large gasflow full stack humidifier

Automated fuel test systems

  • supports your research and development of fuel cells
  • initial development testing
  • performance testing
  • easy installation and replacement of the fuel cells
  • very easy to use

FC5300 series SOFC planar fuel cell testing system

Automated system for testing SOFC fuel cells at operating temperature.

  • max. temperature: 1050°C
  • dew point temperature: 10°C to 90°C
  • available for thin cells to 200µm thickness
  • small size cells: coin shaped cells with outer diameter 15 to 25mm
  • large size cells: square and circular shaped cells 50 or 100mm
  • basic performance testing of button sized SOFC
  • compact and user friendly

Brochure FC5300 series SOFC fuel cell testing system 

automated fuel cell test system
SOFC fuel cell test system
fuel cell test furnace
fuel cell test furnace
gas sealed fuel cell holder for testing
gas sealed test holder

PEFC fuel cell testing system

Automated system for testing PEFC fuel cells.

  • performance testing of single cells
  • endurance testing of single cells
  • control the gas temperature near the cell
  • control from low dew point
  • easy to set up and use
PEFC fuel cell test system
PEFC fuel cell test system

PEFC fuel cell testing system (5kW class)

Automated system for testing 5kW class PEFC fuel cells.

  • performance testing of cell stack
  • endurance testing of cell stack
  • compact design
  • small size fast response humidifier
  • logging cycle: 100ms
automated PEFC 5kW class fuel cell test system
5kW class PEFC fuel cell test system

Fuel cell test monitoring software

Monitoring software for fuel cell testing.

  • special user interface for test monitoring
  • high speed processor for datalogging (<100ms, 10.000 points)
  • Compatible with Windows 10
fuel cell test monitoring software
fuel cell test monitoring software

multi-point remote IO system for high speed cell voltage monitoring

High speed monitoring of fuel cell voltage:

  • high speed 50 channel acquisition of transient response of fuel cell voltage
  • alarm within 20ms at detection of voltage error
high speed fuel cell voltage monitoring
high speed fuel cell voltage monitoring