AFC launches AEM hydrogen fuel cell test facility

AFC Energy, a provider of hydrogen power generation technologies, announced the launch of its Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) fuel cell test facility hosted at the company’s Surrey headquarters in the United Kingdom.

Initial design work has concluded on the stack design for the “S” Series AEM fuel cell based upon our scaled up MEA. Final build of this unit will be completed in April and will provide the set-up needed to validate the design criteria for the modular 10 kW HydroX-Cell(S)^TM fuel cell stack. The company has stated its plans to release early commercial scale HydroX-Cell(S)^TM stacks to the market in late 2022 and remains on track to achieve this timeline.

Highlights include: 

• AFC Energy’s fuel cell technology, HydroX-Cell(S), has been strengthened by the launch of an AEM fuel cell testing and diagnostic facility in the UK.
• Design of the new dedicated AEM fuel cell facility was completed in the second half of 2020 with full fit out now complete in advance of full operation.
• The “S” Series AEM hydrogen fuel cell, once complete, will create the option for heavy motive applications to deploy alkaline chemistry fuel cells in marine, rail and other heavy motive applications, with cost benefits derived particularly from low capital cost and fuel flexibility.
• The AEM facility will enhance the feedback in performance of the AlkaMem® anion exchange membrane in fuel cell applications, further enhancing development of the membrane for use in other markets.
• The new facility will also support AFC Energy’s work in the integration of an in-house developed anionic conducting ionomer within the AEM electrode which offers higher ion exchange capacity.
• Pilot fabrication processes for the production of Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA) are now fully established within AFC Energy and the fabrication method enables consistent MEA production.
• These advancements support the “S” Series Fuel Cell technology remaining on target for initial release in late 2022.