AFC Energy Plc 25 Fuel Cell Stack Trial - Results (3181Z)
December 10 2014 - 2:01AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMAFC
RNS Number : 3181Z
AFC Energy Plc
10 December 2014
10 December 2014
AFC Energy PLC
("AFC" or the "Company")
25 Fuel Cell Stack Trial - Results
AFC Energy plc (AFC.L), the industrial fuel cell power company,
is pleased to provide an update on the latest trial of its 25 fuel
cell cartridge undertaken at its Dunsfold industrial park
facilities.
Highlights:
-- Latest 25 fuel cell stack trial outperformed both of the earlier trials
-- A total performance improvement of 10.8% in electrical output
relative to the first 25 cell stack trial
-- Latest test represent large stride forward in validation of
KORE system technology as a prelude to commercialisation next
year
As context, a fuel cell requires a period of "warm up" from
ambient temperature in order to achieve maximum operating
performance. To date, AFC has accelerated this process by applying
external heat sources to establish and maintain optimum fuel cell
operating temperature. The ability to achieve the necessary levels
of heat solely through fuel cell reactions in a relatively short
period of time, as envisaged in the KORE system, will remove
capital from the cost of the fuel cell system and improve the
overall system efficiency (making it more affordable to produce and
simpler to maintain and operate).
As outlined in AFC's RNS of 8 December 2014, the milestone this
latest 25 cell stack trial sought to achieve was to confirm that
cartridges can achieve operating temperatures (from ambient) using
heat produced solely from fuel cell reactions without a loss in
cell performance.
To date, AFC has successfully conducted three 25 fuel cell stack
trials in 2014 using the same electrode configuration with the
performance (voltage output) of each summarised in the table below.
The performance of the second 25 cell stack trial (V3 CB 00070) was
materially improved relative to the first (V3 CB 00067) by 6%.
However, as AFC has improved its understanding of the
operability of its proprietary fuel cell (and its electrode
chemistry), the most recent 25 fuel cell stack trial conducted at
Dunsfold (V3 CB 00083) and which concluded in early December 2014
outperformed both of the earlier trials and produced the highest
voltage output of any Beta-based fuel cell cartridge tested at AFC.
In relative terms, the latest trial has given a total performance
improvement of 10.8% in electrical output relative to the first 25
cell stack (V3 CB 00067).
For the first time, this latest trial (V3 CB 00083) was started
with a self-heating strategy to demonstrate that fundamental design
and operational aspects of the KORE system are robust and
sound.
Table: 25 Cell Stack Performance
Stack Number Start performance % increase in
(Avg. cell/mV) performance relative
to previous (Avg.
cell)
-------------- ------------------ ----------------------
V3CB 00067 604 -
-------------- ------------------ ----------------------
V3CB 00070 641 6.12%
-------------- ------------------ ----------------------
V3CB 00083 671 4.68%
-------------- ------------------ ----------------------
A key operating parameter of any fuel cell stack is the
power-to-heat ratio. This ratio is very important for extending the
lifetime of any fuel cell. As stacks get larger and more powerful,
thermal management becomes increasingly more important. AFC's stack
design employs a patent pending approach that simplifies thermal
management by circulating the electrolyte through the stack which
takes excess heat away from the fuel cells where it can then be
effectively managed by simple heat exchange technology. Excess heat
that is produced can improve system operation and importantly has
the potential to target combined heat and power (CHP)
applications.
The results of this latest 25 fuel cell stack have been very
encouraging. The positive results from this trial will now allow
AFC to freeze the electrode design and chemistry for the KORE
system commissioning planned for mid-2015.
Adam Bond, AFC's Chief Executive Officer, said: "AFC continues
to make large strides forward in the validation of its technology
as a prelude to commercialisation. To deliver on the desired
objectives for this trial whilst increasing output performance
continues to raise confidence in the technology and in the
execution of the KORE system next year."
For further information, please contact:
AFC Energy plc
Adam Bond (Chief Executive Officer) +44 (0) 20 3697 1209
Zeus Capital Limited - Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker
Dan Bate, John Depasquale
Alex Davies, John Goold +44 (0) 20 7533 7727
M C Peat & Co LLP - Joint Broker
Charlie Peat +44 (0) 20 7104 2334
Lionsgate Communications - Public Relations
Jonathan Charles, Rachel Rigby +44 (0) 20 3697 1209
About AFC Energy
Founded in 2006, AFC Energy plc is re-engineering proven
alkaline fuel cell technology to reduce the cost of electricity.
Alkaline fuel cells have been used on US and Russian manned space
missions for decades to provide electrical power and drinking
water. By using platinum free, advanced materials, design tools and
manufacturing processes at scale, AFC Energy is developing fuel
cells that will compete with conventional technologies such as
turbines for electrical power generation. Today, AFC Energy is
pursuing opportunities in several sectors where hydrogen is readily
available including the chlorine, clean coal and waste-to-energy
industries as well as applications for distributed/back-up power.
For further information, please visit our website:
www.afcenergy.com.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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