Within the framework of this industry-oriented cooperation project “FaeBS”, prototypes of a high-performance innovative fuel cell system (BZS) are to be developed and tested in a compact and space-optimised manner using innovative new components. The main focus of ZBT is the qualification of suitable materials for components.
The joint project “FaeBS”, in which the ZBT is working together with the partners BMW AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Gemeinnützige KIMW Forschungs-GmbH, MANN+HUMMEL GmbH, Woco GmbH & Co KG and Zollner Elektronik AG, started on 1 November 2021. The Federal Ministry of Economics (BMWK) enables the automotive industry to develop new innovative vehicle concepts with the guideline “New Vehicle and System Technologies” and thus to generate a faster and larger technology hub as well as higher added value for Germany. Within the framework of this economic stimulus package, the “FaeBS” project aims to develop and test prototypes of a high-performance innovative fuel cell system (FCS) in a compact and space-optimised manner using innovative new components.
The aim of the project and the partners is to develop a robust, compact drive concept with a 30% reduction in volume, which has a higher efficiency and better thermal management than today’s hydrogen drive systems. The results and findings obtained are to form the competence and decision-making basis for possible next development steps by the various partners and contribute to a possible vehicle offering towards the end of the decade.
In the project ZBT together with the Kunststoffinstitut Lüdenscheid (KIMW-F) and BMW, is taking on the scientific work in work package 8 with the aim of further developing the qualification method for determining suitable materials for components in the fuel cell system. The findings and results obtained in the BMWi project VALIDATE serve as a basis. To achieve the defined goals, new innovative test set-ups and a novel contamination chamber concept are being researched at the ZBT, with which the influence of materials in both dry and moist media will be possible. Another focus of the ZBT is to transfer the results of the single-cell tests to the short-stack level and to achieve a comparison between ex-situ (KIMW-F) and in-situ (ZBT) methods. In addition, a separation between organic and ion-based contamination will be differentiated with the help of various electrochemical measurement methods and scientific evaluations of the degradation behaviour of the fuel cell during contamination.
Within the framework of the funded project, the ZBT sees the opportunity to develop and establish an in-situ test method for the suitability of materials in the fuel cell system. The methodology should be compact, inexpensive and quickly feasible. A standardised test methodology and suitability definitions for the use of materials in fuel cell systems will become increasingly important as the development of series production progresses. A defined scientifically supported qualification method will provide OEMs and the entire supply chain with a guarantee of clearly defining the suitability criteria of materials and their manufacturing chains. It is planned to bring the method development together with partners from industry and research towards a standardised test procedure.
Project partner:
- Robert Bosch GmbH
- Zollner Elektronik AG
- MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
- Woco Industrietechnik GmbH
- Zentrum für BrennstoffzellenTechnik ZBT GmbH – department fuel cell systems
- Gemeinnützige KIMW Forschungs-GmbH
