[ fuel cells ]
In a market with wide application of optical thin-film coatings on lenses , mirrors and filters for digital cameras , LCD projectors and other applications , rapid development of vacuum coating technologies adapted specifically for metallic bipolar plates comes naturally .
“ Production line development for physical vapor deposition of thin-film coatings in China has a strong advantage over other countries ,” said a representative of HCVAC . This vacuum coating company , which utilises high-power impulse magnetron sputtering ( HIPIMS ), a relatively recent advancement in thin-film deposition technology , claims to have an output capability of up to nine metallic bipolar plates measuring 420x151x0.1 mm per minute .
Advanced technology penetrating domestic production
Contamination greatly affects fuel cell performance . It was found that even trace amounts of impurities present in either fuel or air streams or within fuel cell system components could severely poison the anode , membrane , and cathode , according to an article published in the Journal of Power Sources .
Identifying fuel cell contamination sources is critical . Recent research by Dr . Tamim P . Sidiki , Yu Bin and Dr . Robert Janssen from DSM Engineering Materials has revealed that , although technical thermoplastics are ideal for fuel cell systems , constant direct contact with gases and liquids in fuel cell systems leads to hydrolysis of thermoplastic components and the accompanying ion leaching may result in membrane contamination . Among all the engineering materials , the polyphenylene sulfide ( PPS ) stands out due to its excellent hydrolytic resistance and low ion leaching . DSM Engineering Materials , however , is able to create a complete material portfolio and simulation platform based on Xytron PPS to achieve even lower ion leaching and better hydrolytic resistance .
“ DSM products for fuel cells are used globally , but compared to western markets , China is faster in trying out new research and development achievements ,” said Yu Bin , Global Advanced Engineering Manager for Electric Vehicles at DSM Engineering Materials . “ Although the Chinese government began rolling out incentives to develop the fuel cell sector as recently as 2019 , DSM PPS materials entered mass production only a year later , in 2020 . Currently , the majority of domestically produced fuel cell stacks and systems use the DSM PPS materials .”
Traditionally , China ’ s energy sector has been dominated by state-owned enterprises and domestic companies receiving subsidies , thus undercutting foreign competition . However , with regard to hydrogen application in general and fuel cells in particular , opportunities for foreign investors with strong technological advantages remain attractive .
Among the foreign firms participating in the growing Chinese fuel cell market is Swiss precision processing company Feintool . At its existing production plant in Taicang , Jiangsu province , Feintool , in collaboration with German laser specialist SITEC , is set to introduce its FEINforming technology for the production of bipolar plates as well as its latest generation of hydraulic presses , FB one . From 2023 , the plant will have an annual production capacity of 10 million metallic bipolar plates .
Incentivised by government funding and supported by foreign know-how , China ’ s rapid adoption of hydrogen fuel cells is accelerating domestic technological advancements as well manufacturing capabilities in this field , paving the way for cost reductions and , in turn , accelerated deployment of fuel cell technologies and their applications .
Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 7 | December 2022 41