Fuel cells are electrochemical energy conversion devices that are more efficient than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) produces no green house gasses. These are the two main motivations for fuel cells to replace combustion engine that is in our lives for more than a century.
Inogen has completed various International and National projects on Fuel Cell Technologies focusing on innovative membrane and catalyst synthesis, bipolar plate manufacturing, stack development and High-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. Thus, we had delivered Fuel Cell Based APU and Range Extender Systems for UAV's and defence applications on a commercial base.
As of today we are capable of manufacturing customized fuel cell systems according to customer requirements.
Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)
MEA is the hearth of a fuel cell. It consists of two electrode –anode and cathode- and an ion conducting membrane in between them.
Inogen has produced both effective low cost catalyst and membranes for the MEA assembly.
Catalyst system was synthesized unlike conventional catalysts by magnetron sputtering system with a much smaller amount of Platinum used than conventional electrodes.
Proton conducting membranes are the most crucial of fuel cells. Inogen has conducted an extensive research on high temperature resistant (around ~
200 °C), anhydrous membrane development by synthesizing composite type structures based on Nafion, Azole copolymer groups for improved proton conduction in less humid conditions reducing the need for a humidifier.
Bipolar Plate Manufacturing
Bipolar Plate is one of the key component of a fuel cell responsible for the distribution of reactant gasses and connection of cells electrically.
Bipolar Plates are available with carbon (non-metallic) and metallic materials. The manufacturing and material cost of bipolar plates are decisive for fuel cell systems marked appeal and low cost.
Inogen has developed light-weight, thinner and more robust Bipolar Plates using extended graphite material and metallic plates using metal powders to meet the cost and lifetime targets set by the industry.
Inogen also designed unique channel structures to ease the flow of reactant gasses convent to laminar two phase flow.
Stack Development
Fuel cell stack includes series of cells with electrodes and membranes containing a bipolar plate gas diffusion layers. High power density, low cost stack is essential for the market penetration.
Cell stacks were connected in series and parallel combination to achieve the rating desired. Fuel is hydrogen or methane supplied with a manifold to be distributed uniformly to each cell.
Inogen has developed patented cartridge for feeding hydrogen to the cells using NaBH4 aqueous solution and an efficient humidifier.
Hi-Temperature Fuel Cells
The biggest advanced of high temperature fuel cells are the use of flexible fuels such as methane, propane or hydrogen that is not pure. The heat output produced could also be utilized to increase efficiency more. Solid oxide type fuel cell have been successfully produced by Inogen using an innovative approach.
Microtubes based electrode were assembled so that the challenge of fuel leakage at high temperature were overcomed. Inogen has completed a 4 years long EU framework project in microtubular approach together with University of Birmingham and a British company Adelan.