Improving Stationary Fuel Cell Performance Through Accurate Pressure Control

Unlock the leading performance of your fuel cell

As the transition to clean energy gathers momentum globally, stationary fuel cells are playing a crucial role in creating a sustainable future. However, to unlock leading performance, it is essential to address their efficiency and reliability. One central route towards such improvements lies in reducing complexity, particularly within fluid control systems.

Customer Problems: to unlock leading performance, it is essential to address their efficiency and reliability

• Precise Pressure Control: In the fuel cell system, precise control from storage to inlet is paramount. Complications arise when storage pressure drops, as there are usually multiple regulator stages, each presenting a potential failure point.
• Leakages: Many standalone components such as filters, valves, regulators, sensors, etc. introduce potential leak points, compromising the system’s integrity and efficiency.
• Suboptimal Serviceability: With numerous components, servicing and maintenance become complex, time-consuming, and costly, impacting the overall system’s uptime and reliability.
• Material Selection: Hydrogen embrittlement, which stems from inappropriate material selection for handling hydrogen, significantly affects the longevity of the components.
• Temperature Ratings: Components may lack sufficient temperature ratings, especially on the lower limit (e.g. -40°C), leading to failures under extreme conditions.
• Assembly Complexity: Lack of integration results in time-consuming assembly, increasing costs and reducing system efficiency.

IMI Solutions: Reducing Complexity is the Key to Enhancing Efficiency and Reliability

• Integrated Solutions: Utilize integrated solutions that combine multiple functions. For instance, manifolds are ideal for assembly, service, and longevity. They simplify the system by reducing the number of standalone components and potential leak points, thereby enhancing efficiency and reliability.
• Electrical Actuation: Replace compressed air systems with electrical actuation to simplify operation and maintenance.
• Balanced Seat Regulators: These regulators eliminate dependency on storage pressure levels, ensuring stable performance even when storage pressure fluctuates.
• Material Selection: Select materials specifically designed to handle hydrogen to prevent hydrogen embrittlement. This can significantly improve component longevity and system reliability.
• Optimized Component Selection: Partner with one-stop solution providers like IMI, which offer key components
  designed to achieve precise control, simplify complexity, and reduce leakage

By integrating these solutions, we can greatly simplify the stationary fuel cell system design. This not only improves system
efficiency and reliability but also reduces assembly and maintenance time and costs. In the long run, these innovations are instrumental in advancing the role of stationary fuel cells in our green energy future.