Fuel Cell Fabrication

A. Wet Ball Mill

DetailsThe planetary ball mills are used wherever the highest degree of fineness is demanded. Apart from the classical mixing and size reduction processes the unit meets the technical requirements for colloidal grinding and also have the necessary energy input for a mechanical alloying process.

PEMFC electrode development involves preparation of diffusion layer slurry and catalyst ink slurry for which a good homogeneous mixture of the ingredients with desired particles of uniform dimension is required. The material is normally soft and the medium can be wet or dry.

This equipment can also used for R & D purpose for different applications.

B. Screen Printing Machine

Different types of coating like brushing, spraying and painting are used for fuel cell electrode preparation. A screen printing machine is used for fabrication of electrodes with uniform thickness. This unit can also be used for adhesive coatings in gaskets being used in fuel cell assembly . This is a semi-automated process for electrode development, increases the production rate, and reduces the harmful exposure of organic solvents compared to other techniques.

C. Hydraulic Hot Press

This equipment is used for the lamination of electrodes with electrolyte which are micron thick. The high precision in the platen surface, pressure and water supply makes the unit ideal for making MEAs with less interfacial resistance, thereby improve the catalytic activity.

D. Ultrasonic Processor

Ultrasonic processor with sonotrode(s) of different sizes are used in preparation of large volume of carbon and catalyst slurries used in fuel cell electrode fabrication.

E. Ultrasonicator Bath

This unit is selected for use during the process of making fuel cell electrodes when the catalyst ink and carbon ink have to be kept agitated and the particles are expected to be in the suspended state rather than settling down at the bottom.

F. Vacuum Ovens and Sintering Ovens

Vacuum ovens and sintering ovens operating at different temperatures have been installed which are used at various stages in the processes of making electrodes. The sintering processes can be carried out at reduced pressure or nitrogen atmosphere which are required to avoid catalyst particles sintering, oxidation and ignition.