DESCRIPTION: The design of the S-cell is a result of almost 10 years of know-how in the field of flow battery test cells. It was developed for testing and optimisation of stack components, like carbon felt electrode/bipolar plate materials and membranes. Electrode thickness > 0.5mm -1mm.
Some of the unique features of the S-cell are
- Can be operated with or with-out bipolar plates – unlike any other product on the market
- Cell potential can be measured directly on bipolar plates – hereby intrinsic cell performance is measured and does not include contact resistances to current collectors
- Can be connected with Flow Through Electrode Holder (Flow through electrode holder) for e.g. inline monitoring of pH, ORP, reference, conductivity or any other electrode.
- Can be connected the Inline Pressure Unit (Inline pressure unit) for measurement of electrode hydraulic resistance
- Signals from pressure sensors and electrodes can be recorded in AUX Unit (AUX Unit), which combined form an extremely powerful tool for both optimisation studies or flow battery chemistry development.
- The electrolyte is only in contact with flow block (graphite), spacers (PTFE, Viton or EPDM), O-ring (Viton/EPDM), bipolar plate, electrode and membrane.
- Can be converted into a A or X-cell by purchase of A-cell graphite flow body or X-cell PEEK flow body & current collectors. Combined the A, S and X-cells allows virtually testing of any type of electrochemical energy conversion technologies – Flow batteries, Alkaline Water Electrolysis, Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis, Zero Gap electrolysis, PEM water electrolysis, CO2 electrolysis, PEM/Alkaline fuel cells – that can be operated to high temperatures and in the full pH range
GASKETS & ELECTRODE THICKNESS: Due to the many variations, cells are sold without gaskets and bipolar plates that has needs to be ordered individually.
The overall configuration and variation possibilities are shown in the image below – (Click on picture to get higher resolution)
The S-cell is intended for thick electrodes (> 0.5-1.0 mm), for thinner electrodes the A-cell is a better option. The active electrode area (either 2.5cm x 2.5cm OR 5cm x 5cm) is determined by the gaskets. I.e. both active areas can be used in the same cell if both types of gaskets are ordered. For the S-cell the following gasket must be ordered individually:
Cover/Spacer gaskets (click on link)
Flow field gaskets (click on link)
To minimize the pressure loss inside the cell it is recommended to use as-thick-as-possible Flow field gaskets and use Cover/Spacer gaskets to adjust the final thickness/compression of the electrode. The final compressed electrode thickness is the sum of the thicknesses of both the Flow field gaskets and Cover/Spacer gaskets, here several gaskets (and materials) and thicknesses can be combined. In our gaskets products we offer packs of different gasket thicknesses, and we recommend these as these will allow you to test virtually any electrode thickness and compression.
The S-cell can be operated without bipolar plates. However, in flow battery optimisation studies it may be important to know the performance in combination with a bipolar plate e.g. to evaluate contact resistances. For this reason we also offer optional bipolar plates (hard graphite/polymer composite), alternatively we can supply you with the 2D drawing if you want to test your own bipolar plate material.
Bipolar plates (click on link)
PERFORMANCE – Performance tests have shown that area specific resistances down to about 0.60 Ωcm2 can be obtained, i.e. the cell design does have an influence on the intrinsic cell performance.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
- Active Area: 5cm x 5cm OR 2.5cm x 2.5cm – for other dimensions, please make a request
- Electrode thickness > 0.5-1 mm (depending on electrode material and flow rate)
- Stainless steel endplates
- Electrolyte only in contact with graphite body, fittings and gaskets. All made in corrosion resistant materials (from acidic to alkaline)
- Gold plated cobber current collectors
- Swagelok fittings for tight connecting to 1/8” tubing (1/4″ or other fitting sizes on request)
- Gaskets Materials: PFTE, VITON and EPDM – other materials on request
OTHER RESOURCES
