FlowCath Fuel Cell System Reaches 1,000 Hour Mark
The FlowCath fuel cell system (earlier post) from Acal Energy. has achieved more than 1,000 hours continuous operation with no deterioration of performance.
FlowCath technology replaces the expensive precious metal catalysts found on the cathode side of conventional membrane-based fuel cells with less expensive liquid-based oxygen reduction catalyst systems. These significantly reduce cost at the same time as improving performance, according to the company.
The results were achieved with single cells under carefully monitored conditions. In addition, the company confirms that operation of the complete fuel cell stack and integrated system has now achieved more than 100 hours cumulative operation at power levels of nearly 60W, well above its 50W design specification.
ACAL Energy technology had earlier announced peak power performance of more than 600 mW/cm2.
The company is aiming for delivery of a 1kW demonstration unit by this summer, and to have 5,000 hrs continuous running data on a single cell—and 25,000 hrs on a stack—by this time next year.
