Costefficient lightweight z.truded polymer fuelcell plates

Purpose and goal: ** Denna text är maskinöversatt **

z.trusion enables 87% cost reduction for fabrication of bipolar carbon-based flowsheets for fuel cells. The investment cost is reduced by 90-95% and energy consumption is reduced by 90-97% in the production of bipolar flow plates for fuel cells. All these calculations made with compression molding as a reference with values from the research institute ZBT.

Expected results and effects:

RELIEFED Technologies started the project with the ambition to show that z.trusion is cost-effective for mass production of bipolar flow plates, that meet the markets requirements for PEM fuel cells. Outcome in the project results in production of 1 million BPP´s/year: 87% lower production cost relative to compression molding. 95% lower investment in equipment and tools and 90-97% lower energy consumption in the design stage.

Mass production is expected to be up and running within 2-years. Commercial discussions and negotiations are ongoing as results. Approach and implementation:

Reliefed designed and flow optimized a high efficiency asymmetric bipolar flow plate before tools for z.trusion were manufactured. Erteco and ZBT helped to develop the carbon-based polymer (75% carbon), first RELIEFED z.truded with 3D printed tools, after which sharp tools were designed and manufactured for the final tests. Thermal & electrical conductivity has been validated/approved by a ZBT+ a manufacturer that makes flow plates.

The final analysis indicates ~90% rationalization potential in comparison to compression molding, which is used today.