AFC Energy places first cathode order with manufacturer

Industrial fuel cell power company AFC Energy updated the market on its progress towards delivery of a commercial alkaline fuel cell system on Wednesday, confirming the first commercial order of cathodes had been placed with Industrie De Nora .

The AIM-traded firm said it had placed the order to initiate the mass manufacture of electrode capability, and to ensure quality controls were in place to ensure consistency with smaller-scale testing.

It confirmed the first delivery was expected by mid-December 2017.

Recently-completed design refinements and ongoing testing of alkaline fuel cell electrodes with De Nora suggested at least a 12-month electrode longevity at AFC Energy's facilities in Surrey, the board reported, achieving the target it had set for 2017.

It said the scale-up and integration of cathodes designed with De Nora had now been achieved, with operational data being collected by AFC Energy within its fuel cell stack units in Surrey.

Final design and drawings for fully-revised fuel cell stack configuration had been completed, integrating the new cathodes developed with De Nora after “extensive” simulation engineering and interrogation by the technical teams.

A full system demonstration was expected by mid-December 2017, incorporating enhanced stack flow plates, cartridge and associated materials.

“We are pleased to have placed this order with our partner De Nora, and also with the results of the recent technical collaboration between teams from Italy, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom,” said AFC Energy chief executive Adam Bond.

“Importantly, all parties continue to believe there is scope for material improvements to further enhance fuel cell performance going forward.”