 FCTS
Process Control and Measurement |
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This unit
handles the control and measurement of devices that are involved in
the handling and conditioning of reactants in and out of the fuel
cell. Flow rates, humidity, temperature, pressure and valves
are example of parameters to be controlled and monitored.
Safety features are a major emphasis in the function of this unit.
User-configurable flow rate and pressure ramping are available for
system control. Advanced PID control enabling a broad range
and fast transition of humidity and temperature with minimum
overshoot can also be implemented. Automatic 24/7 dynamic
profile testing can be programmed for autonomous test run.
Temperature-controlled Cooling and
Heating Devices
Arbin offers several options for controlling the
temperature of the fuel cell and the reagent transfer lines to and
from the stack. This comprehensive control includes both heating
and cooling of the respective elements of the test system.
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Reagent
chiller/heater
Using alternating coolant circulation and
heating, operators may schedule reagent thermal control
sequences that will be implemented autonomously.
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Cell
transfer line heating
FCTS includes heating elements that
may be used to heat the fuel cell and reagent transfer lines.
Four (4) switched AC power lines with integrated temperature
sensing provide <=2000W
for external heating via heater strip.
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Heat
exchange for reagent heating
FCTS provides a pre-heat exchanger
that uses the heated return from the fuel cell to heat the
supply gas to near the fuel cell temperature. This process
limits the power required to cool the return gas and is suited
particularly for liquid fuel or high-flow gas systems.
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Fuel cell
chiller/heater
Large fuel cells may
require alternating heating and cooling for optimum performance. A
liquid circulation loop is provided with water
or glycolic solution and is regulated by a
heating unit and heat exchanger to maintain the stack at the
desired temperature.
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Stack Cooling
Auxiliary Modules
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Digital I/O
Digital I/O is provided for control of
valves and switches inside the system. Digital I/O channels are
also available as an option for external use. Note the following
descriptions.
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Plug & play board
A plug-in board contains 8 inputs and 8 outputs, each digital
control channel bearing a 2-pin connector. Both types of control
are programmable and can be integrated into testing schedule.
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TTL or isolated relay
Digital output is provided to control other devices, such as
valves and switches. These signals can be TTL logic level signal
(+5, 0V) or isolated, driving signal through relays
(close/open). Digital input is used to direct testing schedule
by external signal, TTL or isolated relay.
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Flexibility for customized system
Digital I/O provides exceptional flexibility and allows
customers to build their own systems requiring complex controls.
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Voltage Measurement
Multiple channel voltage measurement modules are
available for measurement of voltage of each cell in a stack.
When the maximum voltage of the FCTS is less than 12V,
the input impedance of the voltage input is 10GΩ.
Otherwise, it is ~5MΩ. High common-mode voltage of the
voltage measurement module must be higher than the maximum
voltage of the cell stack in order to measure voltage of every
cell.
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Temperature Measurement
Temperature may be monitored at multiple points on each
electrode and and at inlet-outlet points in the reactant
transfer assembly.
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Pressure Input
Pressure measurement provides critical
elucidation of the characteristics in the fuel cell and the
reactant handling apparatus.
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