Long term testing is taking place in parallel at Surrey University and at AFC Energy’s laboratories covering transient and non transient tests, load curves and single cell operation.

Whilst testing these aspects, an additional testing program has been undertaken with the new generation electrode material at Surrey University (for some 1400 hrs so far) without pre-treatment of air to remove Carbon Dioxide (CO2).  The purpose of this test program is to establish the effect of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) contamination with CO2 (sometimes erroneously referred to as CO2 Poisoning).

AFC Energy is pleased to announce that there appears to be no significant degradation of performance with these new generation electrodes.  Indeed, the non-CO2 filtered electrode has performed slightly better than the CO2 filtered ones.

These achievements demonstrate the commercial reality of the new generation of alkaline fuel cells whilst dispelling concerns of carbon dioxide contamination, often associated with alkaline fuel cell technology.

Howard White, Chairman said:

‘This achievement, repeated and verified by an independent organisation, confirms our level of confidence in achieving our projected milestones of full commercialisation in 2009.

‘The results we and Surrey University have achieved, using untreated air for extended operational periods, reinforce our belief that the whole issue of carbon dioxide contamination in alkaline fuel cell technology has been overstated.

‘In any event, should CO2 contamination occur, it results in a gradual degradation of performance over a long time and is completely reversible by the treatment, or replacement, of the KOH electrolyte. It should not be confused with Carbon Monoxide poisoning, which can occur in PEM based fuel cells.

‘Carbon Monoxide poisoning is irreversible and represents a major barrier to commercialisation for the PEM technology.’

AFC Energy is now well on course to complete its next milestone of 2000 hours some 4 months ahead of schedule.

AFC Energy PLC intends to apply for an AIM listing early in the New Year via an IPO and is just closing a pre IPO funding of up to £1millionAbout alkaline fuel cells.

• Alkaline fuel cells convert air and hydrogen into electricity and heat and are the most reliable, efficient and versatile of all the fuel cell technologies with several existing commercial and military applications (Russian & US Navies). 

About AFC's technological development 

   •Using low cost materials, the fuel cell design incorporates easy 
    operation, functionality and maintenance with accessible and recyclable,
    replaceable products. The system has a low complexity with minimal system
    and moving components reducing overall cost, weight and volume with high
    levels of system reliability.

   •The production uses mass manufacturing processes that are repeatable and
    well known technologies to reduce the high volume production costs.

   •The electrode configuration and material selection uses commonly
    available, low cost, mass manufactured materials. System efficiencies are
    achieved by reducing the component count and balance of plant losses.

Collaboration agreements

   •AFC Energy has collaboration agreements with Surrey and Cambridge
    Universities. Dr Keith Williams of Cambridge University and Professor Bob
    Slade of Surrey University are members of the AFC Energy's technical team.

   •AFC Energy also has collaboration agreements with industry both
    nationally and internationally, where extensive connections have been made
    with the plastics, electronics, materials, and manufacturing sectors.

AFC Energy's technologies

   •AFC Energy has developed technologies that use non-precious metals as
    their core component and has developed unique configurations and application
    of the substrate, conductor and catalyst.

   •AFC Energy's technologies provide an ultra low cost electrode and system
over existing alkaline fuel cells. The patents applied for cover:

-          Dry side electrode, ensuring minimum erosion and good longevity
-          Water neutral operation and management system
-          Depression based pressure differentiation
-          Closed loop output optimisation
-          Replaceable Electrode design
-          Electrode material selection and configuration
-          Voltage monitoring and system control
.