July 26^th, 2007

FuelCon test stations for new SOFC test centre in Dresden, Germany
The Fraunhofer-Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS), located in Dresden (Germany), will equip its newly built SOFC test centre for industrial research with Evaluator-S test stations from FuelCon. This order is the result of FuelCon’s competitive public tender bid accepted by IKTS. All test stations will be equipped with additional features to allow the complex characterization of stacks which were developed within a common project phase.

An automated controller within the FuelCon test station allows for long-term testing. The integrated TrueData-EIS impedance analyzers efficiently support the detailed analysis of deterioration and degradation processes. The sophisticated process engineering of the test stations enables the simulation of several sources of anode gases fuelling high temperature fuel cells. This includes different reformer concepts and biogas technologies. The top hat furnaces of the FuelCon product series TrueXtense-THF as well as fuel gas and air pre-heater complete these sophisticated test rigs. This allows for optimal and re-producible simulation of the thermal system environment in which SOFC stacks operate.

“The IKTS has decided in favour of Evaluator-S test stations, because the partner FuelCon is eager and able to integrate our optimized algorithms and components into their test systems. These test stations are easily able to accommodate the challenging requirements of integrated electrochemical research methods like the impedance spectroscopy of SOFC stacks. Furthermore, FuelCon’s quote had the best cost-benefit ratio” said Dr. Mihail Kuznezoff, Head of Department for Advanced Materials and Components at IKTS.

“In the new IKTS test centre, we will verify the practical suitability of SOFC stacks and systems in close consultation with our industrial customers and partners. This includes the long-term performance, duty cycle stability and poisoning durability. Especially systems for biogenic gases are the focus of our research. The FuelCon test stations give us the necessary flexibility and reliability” adds Dr. Michael Stelter, Head of Department for Modules and Systems.

Mathias Bode, Chief Executive Officer of FuelCon AG and responsible for high temperature test stations said, “We are very encouraged to receive an order from such a prestigious research institute like IKTS. We see this as an affirmation of our extensive effort in developing our Evaluator-S test systems for SOFC´s. It shows once again, that Evaluator test stations with integrated TrueData-EIS impedance analysers have become acknowledged as an established standard for the optimizing of fuel cells.”