Fuel Cell Tech0 pages

Hydrogen Peripherals
Integrated system solutions: In order to ensure the hydrogen supply,
components are needed, which reliably reduce the high pressure and keep
the supply stable. High pressure and medium pressure regulators reduce
to the required low pressure, while pressure sensors and switches monitor
the gas storages and communicate via a signal to the superordinate control
panel. Further necessary components are safety and check valves, as well
as solenoid valves which contribute to the automation level of the hydrogen
supply, shut off very tightly and respond highly dynamically. To keep the
handling expense as low as possible, Bürkert offers highly-integrated
modules designed in line with customer requirements, both fluidic as well
as mechanical and electronic.

Cathode Peripherals/
Drainage

Medium: Dry hydrogen
Bürkert components:
•t High-pressure regulators for prest sure up reduction (high pressure to t
t 300 bar and medium pressure up
t to 10 bar)
•t Medium-pressure regulators for
t pressure reduction (medium pressure
t up to 10 bar and low pressure up
t to 0.5 bar)
•t NC shut-off valves with approval
•t High-pressure sensor/switch
•t Safety valve for pressure relief

Media typ.: Humid cathode air,
DI water (drainage)
Bürkert components:
•t Shut-off valves for controlling,
t resistant to pure steam and water,
t low-power
•t Pressure sensors
•t Air flow meters

Cathode valves: The range of atmospheric oxygen capacity over many
fuel cell systems is very large. On the cathode side too, components have
to be resistant to media humidified with pure steam. The temperature range
exceeds normal requirements. The solution: motorized seat valves DN 8 to
DN 25 or optionally with ball cock, which also feature very low power
consumption. Valves such as those of the Types 211, 6126, 6128, 6606
and 6608 are optimal for the task of draining the pure water resulting in
the process.

Anode Peripherals
Efficient solenoid valves: Media such as reformate gas or humidified
hydrogen must be shut off or controlled in the direct environment of the
anode. The fuel must be supplied to or removed from the fuel cell stack.
This occurs with or without water separation and with or without recirculation. In line with the system, anode residual gas is fed back, while
nitrogen contents are decreased. Solenoid valves that are resistant to high
temperatures and combustion gases humidified with pure steam are
necessary for all these tasks. Taking safety reasons into account, bipolar
valves offer significantly lower electrical switching capacities (efficiency
contribution), while solenoid control valves provide the option
of reliable and efficient pressure control.

Media typ.: Humid hydrogen,
humid reformate gas
Bürkert components:
•t Shut-off valves for controlling,
t resistant to deionized pure steam, or
t water, low-power, medium-separated
•t Pressure sensors/switches
•t Pressure regulators for low pressure
•t Solenoid control valves
•t Safety valve
•t Hydrogen flow meter

Cooling
Media typ.: Water with glycol, water
Bürkert components:
•t De-aeration valve (customer specific)
•t Liquid flow meter
•t Pressure sensor
•t Control valve (motorized)
•t Temperature sensor/controller

Compact cooling water controls: The modular concept behind our
control electronics module of the Type 8611 enables customer-specific
complete solutions that are fixed and tested. It has been designed for
installation in system blocks which are also equipped with other Bürkert
products. The flow sensor Type 8012 comes with a magnetic measuring
principle integrated in a paddle wheel, while the sensor electronics can be
integrated in the control electronics and an actuator (Bürkert solenoid
control valves) operated directly by the control electronics. System solutions
enable cost optimization and compact designs. The system solution shown
controls a temperature-guided flow of cooling water. Other available sensor
measuring technologies are ultrasonic and MID (magnetic-inductive).

Peripheral Reformers/
H2 Generators
Resistant and certified: If no hydrogen infrastructure is available, other
fuels need to be reformed or hydrogen has to be produced using known
gas technology. Fuels such as natural gas, diesel or LPG are available in
typical applications. Reformation produces a gas rich in hydrogen (reformate), which is then cleaned of undesired components. Compact shut-off
and solenoid control valves are able to secure or shut off the fuels. Other
solenoid valves, on the other hand, are able to meet the requirements of
DI water and ensure a long life. Greater flow rates in hydrogen generators
are controlled with pneumatically operated process valves, available from
DN 15 to DN 100. These valves are distinguished by maximum life time
and leak tightness, while their actuating air can be controlled either with
Bürkert control heads or valve islands.

Media typ.: Natural gas, diesel, LPG, DI
water, air, municipal water
Bürkert components:
•t NC shut-off valves with approval/
t dual valves
•t Shut-off valves for controlling,
t resistant to DI pure steam or water
•t Gas flow meters
•t Water flow meters
•t Water shut-off valve, small size
•t Process valves

Test Stand Equipment
Media typ.: Hydrogen, oxygen, air,
DI water, methanol
Bürkert components:
•t Mass flow controller, mass flow meter
•t Pressure sensor/controller
•t NC shut-off valve (solenoid and
t air operated)
•t Flow sensors
•t Liquid flow controller, liquid flow meter
•t Temperature sensor/controller
•t Proportional valves

Testing of fuel cells: Like many other major aggregates, fuel cells also
have to be tested regarding the performance data to be complied with.
For the application field of fuel cell testing technology, Bürkert provides a
wide product spectrum, from three-way solenoid valves of Type 330 through
to mass flow controllers of Type 8626. Mass flow controllers realize the gas
supply, while pressure sensors with controllers and solenoid control valves
make up pressure control loops. The liquid flow controller of Type 8718
controls the water dosing for the humidifier or the methanol dosing for
testing DMFC systems as well. Air operated process valves or even corresponding thermal flow meters are used for large flow ranges (air, hydrogen).