Fuel cell test benches
High-precision test benches for PEM and DMFC fuel cells – in low and high temperature ranges
Modular test benches for components, from individual cells to complete stacks – powerful, precise, scalable
Whether you are developing a single membrane electrode assembly (MEA) or a complete fuel cell stack: Our flexible single cell , short stack and full-size stack test benches provide you with the necessary infrastructure for reproducible and industry-like test scenarios.
With decades of experience in gas metering and liquid vaporization, as well as the construction of complex research facilities, our group of companies develops flexible, user-friendly, and future-proof testing systems for fuel cells. During development, particular emphasis was placed on the safe, simple, and automated operation of our systems.
Technological orientation – for maximum flexibility
PEM Low Temperature
Our test benches for PEM fuel cells are specifically designed for low-temperature applications (50–90 °C) and enable:
- Exact current-voltage characteristics and polarization curves under controlled conditions
- Dynamic load profiles to model real driving and operating cycles
- Reproducible media flow and pressure control (H₂/air or O₂, humidification)
- Precise control and monitoring of cell temperature with high resolution
- Cell and stack testing with scalable electrical power
PEM high temperature
Our test benches for high-temperature PEM fuel cells (HT-PEM) are specifically designed for operating temperatures of approximately 120–200 °C and enable:
- Exact current-voltage characteristics and polarization curves under stable high-temperature conditions
- Dynamic load profiles to model real operating and load changes
- Precise control of gas flow, pressure and stoichiometry (H₂/air or O₂)
- High-resolution temperature monitoring of cell and stack including safety monitoring
- Cell and stack tests with scalable performance for research, development and validation
DMFC fuel cell
Our test benches for DMFC fuel cells (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) are designed for low-temperature applications (approx. 40–90 °C) and enable:
- Exact current-voltage characteristics and power characterization under defined operating conditions
- Dynamic load profiles to depict real-world application scenarios
- Precise dosing and control of the methanol-water mixture and the oxidation gas supply (air/O₂)
- Reproducible temperature, flow rate and pressure control of all media
- Cell and stack testing with scalable performance for research, development and system validation
Portfolio
We dose, control, visualize and monitor
Flow rates
Press
Temperatures
Humidity
Currents and voltages
Performance
Technical details
Exemplary technical specifications (high degree of customizability)
| Housing | Modular structure optimized for ergonomics and maintainability, which can be customized to a high degree. |
| Security | System-inherent safety according to current industry standards and device protection via limiters |
| Electrical load | Fully integrated electrical DC sinks (optional regenerative capability) that can be explicitly tailored to the application. |
| Pressure and flow control | Industry standard in precision “powered by” Bronkhorst & others |
| Cooling circuit | DI water or coolant operation with various heating and/or cooling options |
| Anode recirculation | Optional |
| System emulation | Realistic emulation of the stack system interfaces and integration of real system subsystems into the system | Cathode gas humidification | Wide range of available humidifier technologies |
| Sampling | From simple connection ports and sample preparation to complete analysis chains for gaseous or liquid media | Automation | Modern IoT-enabled, PLC + high-performance IPC-based platform with SQL database and flexible, customizable user interface |
Technical specifications
| Housing | Modular structure optimized for ergonomics and maintainability, which can be customized to a high degree. |
| Security | System-inherent safety according to current industry standards and device protection via limiters |
| Electrical load | Fully integrated electrical DC sinks (optional regenerative capability) that can be explicitly tailored to the application. |
| Pressure and flow control | Industry standard in precision “powered by” Bronkhorst & others |
| Anode recirculation | Methanol mixing system with concentration monitoring or coolant operation with various heating and/or cooling options |
| System emulation | Realistic emulation of the test unit system interfaces and integration of real system subsystems into the system |
| Sampling | From simple connection ports and sample preparation to complete analysis chains for gaseous or liquid media |
| Automation | Modern IoT-enabled, PLC + high-performance IPC-based platform with SQL database and flexible, customizable user interface |
Models
Single Cell
- Materialentwicklung (Membranen, Katalysatoren, Gasdiffusions-Layer)
- Parameter variation in sub-scale cell format
- Performance optimization & characterization
- Degradation optimization & characterization
- Simulation model building
- I/V-Kennlinien, EIS (Impedanzspektroskopie) & dynamische Lasttests
- Analytik (z. B. H₂/O₂-Umsetzungseffizienz, Wasser-Management, usw.)
Short-stack
- Stack scaling & integration development
- Performance optimization & characterization
- Degradation characterization
- Simulation model optimization
- Durability studies
- I/V characteristics, CVM, EIS (impedance spectroscopy) & dynamic load tests
- Analytik (z. B. H₂/O₂-Umsetzungseffizienz, Wasser-Management, usw.)
Full-size stack
- Optimization, verification & validation of complete stacks and systems under realistic operating conditions
- Mapping of complex operational, load and durability tests
including start/stop and fault scenarios - Simulation model optimization
- Return performance & error analysis
- Comprehensive stack monitoring (voltages, temperatures, pressures, flows)
- Analytik (z. B. H₂/O₂-Umsetzungseffizienz, Wasser-Management, usw.)
Solutions
- Mobile unit with safety-oriented enclosure (hood) for connection to the customer’s exhaust air system
- Ergonomically safe working on the test specimen is ensured thanks to accessibility from three sides when the hood is open. To install the test specimen, the hood is simply slid upwards.
- Maximum system safety through ventilation, operating and control concept
- High-precision gas metering over wide flow ranges according to customer requirements
- Manually opening and closing gases to and from the test specimen, even with the hood closed.
- N₂ flushing of the test subject
- Pressure and temperature measurement on the anode and cathode output side
- Safety-oriented discharge of condensate water on the anode and cathode sides
- Electronic load with zero-volt option (digitally controlled), integrated into an enclosure
- Modern and user-friendly plant design
- Flexible and expandable software package (FLUDATA) for convenient data processing, storage, display and sharing of all data
- Remote maintenance module Remote-Plus for fast support
- CE marking
FLUDATA
Intelligent control & analysis
- Definition of complex test series
- Fully automated test cycles & logging
- Visualization of live data with zoom & comparison function
- Export to industrial formats (CSV, JSON, OPC-UA)
- Integration of external sensors and analytics systems
Typical areas of application
Our hydrogen test systems are used in a wide range of research, development, and industrial applications. These include fuel cells and stacks, electrolysis cells, hydrogen storage systems, tank and supply systems, and drive systems for vehicles or stationary applications. Furthermore, our systems are suitable for testing lines, valves, and general machine components that are operated or filled with hydrogen. The systems can be used as standalone solutions or integrated into automated testing or production processes.