The German Plastics Center SKZ in cooperation with ENTEX Rust & Mitschke GmbH is starting a research project for the continuous production of thermoset bipolar plates. If successful, the production costs for this component, which is particularly important in fuel cells, can be drastically reduced.
SKZ research
ENTEX Rust & Mitschke GmbH in Bochum and SKZ in Würzburg are jointly developing a continuous process for the cost-effective production of thermoset bipolar plates as part of a cooperation project funded by the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK). Dr. Andreas Köppel, Group Manager for Crosslinked Materials said: "Together with ENTEX, we see great potential for producing bipolar plates more economically using the planetary roller extruder and thus making fuel cells more competitive."
In order to produce bipolar plates, and thus fuel cells, more cheaply, the project partners want to optimise the manufacturing process. The basic idea of the project is to explore novel, highly conductive formulations that can be continuously processed into bipolar plates in a direct extrusion process.
The production will be carried out on a planetary roller extruder, which SKZ says is particularly suitable for processing highly filled and thermally sensitive materials. ENTEX will develop a process configuration for the preparation of highly filled compounds with subsequent direct extrusion, while SKZ will develop electrically conductive compounds with very good flow properties.
It is claimed that the results of the project can not only help to make the production of fuel cells more time and energy efficient, but also to further establish this technology in the market and thus reduce CO2 emissions. Hydrogen fuel cells are considered to be a sustainable and efficient energy system, but they are currently in the shadows compared to batteries because the technology is still very expensive. The main reason for this is the high production costs of key components such as bipolar plates, which are manufactured using time-consuming and cost-intensive processes.
Further information about research on cross-linked materials
The SKZ is a member of the Zuse Association. This is an association of independent, industry-related research institutions that pursue the goal of improving the performance and competitiveness of industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, through innovation and networking.