In this tech talk, Steven had the pleasure of discussing about the about gaskets in fuel cells and electrolysers with Dr. Thorsten Hickmann, Managing Director at Eisenhuth.
Learn about gaskets in fuel cells
Steven Oji and Thorsten Hickmann discusses how gaskets play a crucial role in preventing gas leakage in fuel cells and electrolysers. The different gasket types, materials, compression methods, and their importance in ensuring stack efficiency are shown. Injection molding can reduce gasket production costs.
Gaskets are crucial components in fuel cells and electrolyzers, ensuring gas tightness and preventing leakage. They play a vital role in maintaining system efficiency and safety. The gasket's function is to keep materials inside the system and prevent them from escaping. They are positioned between the bipolar plate and the membrane unit in fuel cells and electrolyzers. Different types of gaskets, including O-ring and profiled gaskets are available on the market.
Profiled gaskets are preferred for their better sealing with less force. It is important of choosing the right gasket material, mentioning silicon, Fluor Elastomer, and EPDM as options. EPDM is often preferred due to its cost-effectiveness and performance with hydrogen. Integration of gaskets with other components is explored as a cost-effective approach. Injection molding is recommended for efficient and economical production. The challenges of gasket design is especially in dynamic environments with varying temperatures.
While starting with a single-piece cutting approach is possible, injection molding and automation technologies offer cost-effective solutions for larger volumes. The installation methods used are such as needle insertion and using integrated solutions or holes for placement. The importance of design and consideration of tolerances in the system is emphasized to ensure proper compression and sealing.
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