The development and implementation of hydrogen technologies must be associated with the work on a reference regulatory framework that has to be met by equipment encompassed in this field. In the case of fuel cells, the PEM Technology Testing Laboratory has been designed to collaborate in the development of testing procedures for PEM fuel cells, having the necessary and specialized equipment derived from both own developments and commercial equipment.
AREAS
The technological capabilities of the PEM Technology Testing Laboratory are:
- Experimentation of prototypes and new developments at stack, module and/or fuel cell system level.
- Long-time and accelerated life tests.
- Development and optimization of fuel cell balances of plant.
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EQUIPMENT
TEST BENCH FOR STACKS BETWEEN 1-10 kW
Designed and assembled by the CNH2 staff based on the standard IEC 62282-2.
- Stacks up to 130 cells.
- Pressure range: 0-2 barg.
- Temperature range ≤ 75ºC.
- Electronic load range: 0-160V.
- Streams humidification through humidifier membranes.
TEST BENCH FOR MODULES AND FUEL CELL SYSTEMS BETWEEN 10 – 30 kW
Designed and assembled by the CNH2 staff taking as reference the IEC 62282-3-200.
- Modules and systems up to 100 cells.
- Pressure range: 0-2 barg.
- Temperature range ≤ 75ºC.
- Electronic load range: 0-120V.
CLIMATIC CHAMBER
Walk-in climate chamber for testing on stacks, modules and/or fuel cells systems, allowing the configuration of tests under programmed humidity and temperature conditions, cold stars, freezing and thawing cycles etc.
The main features of the equipment are:
- Operation temperature range adjustable between -40 ºC up to +80 ºC.
- Operation humidity range adjustable from 10 % up to 95 %.
- Temperature variation rates (ºC/min) on heating/cooling are 8 ºC/min and 1,4 ºC/min.
VIBRATION TEST SYSTEM
The system is made up by a shaker and a slip table, so tests on the three axes (X,Y,Z) can be carried out. This equipment allows studying the response of different devices under vibration profiles pre-fixed with the aim of optimizing the structural integrity.
The test typologies, which can be used are sine, random and shock modes.
The general specifications of the system are:
- The rated force supplied by the system is 8kN on sine and random modes.
- Frequency range between 0 Hz up to 2200 Hz.
- Maximum velocity and displacement are 2,2 m/s and 60 mm.
SERVICES
- Experimentation and testing at PEM stack level in the range 1-10 kW.
- Experimentation and testing at PEM module and system level in the range 10-30 kW.
- Testing in walk-in climatic chamber with temperature and/or humidity controlled (different kinds of samples).
- Testing on a vibration test system at sine, random and chock modes (different kinds of samples).
