Technical Review and Developm

RNS Number : 1994M

AFC Energy Plc

26 January 2009

 



26 January 2009

AFC Energy plc 

('AFC Energy' or 'The Company')

AFC finalise their technical review and agrees the next phase of the Fuel Cell development with AkzoNobel

In November 2008 AFC Energy commenced a technical review to analyse the results of the system test completed in September 2008 on its 3.5kW fuel cell system. Following completion of the technical review and discussions with AkzoNobel, the Company has identified key design improvements to enable delivery of its first fuel cell system to AkzoNobel’s Bitterfeld plant in the coming months.

 

The performance of the system during this test, in terms of electrical output and durability, did not reach the targeted design levels. In consultation with AkzoNobel the Company decided not to deliver the system to AkzoNobel at this stage, but to undertake a detailed technical review in order to assess ways to increase output and durability.

 

This technical review, conducted over nine weeks, identified several clearly defined areas that will further improve system performance. These include:

 

Ø       Optimising electrode materials and fluid flow

Ø       Further automation of the manufacturing processes used to fabricate the cells

Ø       Revised specifications for some of the components in the system

 

 

All of these improvements are being developed actively using in-house expertise and external resources as appropriate.

 

The details of the trial and the technical review were shared with AkzoNobel earlier this month and from that meeting AkzoNobel and AFC Energy have set out the next phase of their relationship to bring its fuel cell system to full commercial operation. The additional understanding gained from the technical review was welcomed by the AkzoNobel team as an important element in further improving the performance of the fuel cell system.

 

AkzoNobel continues to support the plan for AFC Energy to deliver and install a fuel cell system to its Bitterfeld plant and to demonstrate the operation of the fuel cell with AkzoNobel’s industrially produced hydrogen.  Delivery of this system is expected to take place in the coming months. Following installation at Bitterfeld, work will continue at both AFC Energy’s headquarters and on site at Bitterfeld to ensure progressive improvements to system performance so as to achieve full design specification. AkzoNobel is active in the R&D field in a wide variety of areas and recognises the challenges inherent in AFC Energy’s approach, and is hugely supportive in seeing this project through to fruition. Both companies expect a closer working relationship following the review.

 

Commenting on these developments, Ian Balchin, AFC Energy’s Managing Director, said:

 

“The technical progress with our fuel cell system and the ongoing relationship with AkzoNobel remains a crucially important part of the Company’s development. We are delighted to set out the next steps in our journey to provide AkzoNobel with a commercially viable fuel cell system”.

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For further information please visit www.afcenergy.com or contact:

AFC Energy plc Tim Yeo, Chairman Ian Balchin, Managing Director Simon Walters, Finance Director	01483 276726
Blue Oar Securities Shane Gallwey / Toby Gibbs / Matt Marchant	020 7448 4400

 

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