When long term electro-chemical tests (>1000 hours) are run to monitor the SOFC / SOEC cell degradation at the cathode for example, it is important to avoid any contaminant in the gas flow rate.
Inconel 601 flange equipped with alumina housing and alumina tube to feed the gas to the electrode during long term test (>1000 h)Typical poisoning is coming from the chromium contained in the steel tubing. The volatile chromium species (Cr⁶⁺) will flow into the cathode (with the air) and thanks to the intake of electrons at the electrode, the chromium ion will transform to chromium oxide and be deposited at the cathode triple point. In such a case, the long term SOFC /SOEC test kit is used with the button cell test bench. The Inconel 601 flange is equipped with an alumina housing (>96 % Al₂O₃) and the air (or other gas) is led through an alumina tube. The long term test kit is fully compatible with other functionalities proposed with the Open Flanges™ SOFC / SOEC button cell test fixture as the integrated steamer or the small pellet test kit. The long term test kit can be implemented on the fuel side, on the air side or on both sides. Fiaxell is the manufacturer and supplier for the SOFC / SOEC long term test kit for all type of button cells (ASC, ESC, MSC, etc.)