You are here: Latest Issue > Hydrogen Sensors Activities Expressions of Interest in SOFC Gasket Report Sought Tony Blaine, Gasket Task Group Facilitator In 2011, the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) published a report addressing gasket issues for PEM fuel cells. This report is available online at: http://www.fchea.org/core/import/PDFs/FCHEA_Gasket_Report_2011.pdf. Following completion of this activity, the FCHEA Gasket Task Force - a task group within the Materials and Components Working Group - is exploring interest in developing a similar report for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) gaskets. If sufficient member interest is found, the Gasket Task Force will be reconstituted, ideally containing 5-6 FCHEA members involved in SOFC manufacturing or materials. Members of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Working Group are especially encouraged to participate. Test laboratories and materials research organizations will also be invited to contribute, as appropriate test procedures will need to be identified. Task Group meetings would be conducted on-line. The frequency of meetings is envisaged to be flexible to achieve the work, with an initial schedule of every 6 weeks. The report is anticipated to address issues such as the following: Validate that the function of SOFC Gasket is to 1. Prevent mixing of fuel and oxidant with the cell stack 2. Prevent leaking of fuel and oxidant from the stack 3. Electrically isolate cells in the stack 4. Provide mechanical bonding of cell components Determine if there are other functions required of the gasket. Validate and identify industry standard operating parameters * Operating Temperatures 1000C * Life Stationary and Mobile * Stability over what range of operating parameters - Oxygen-Fuel-Air * Thermal Stress - Compressive Stress - Mechanical Stress Identify and publish baseline industry testing standards for SOFC * Fuel Cell Types * Gasket Types - Materials Gasket Types under consideration * Rigid, i.e., Glass and Ceramic * Compressive, i.e., Composites - Graphites - Alumina Fibers Publish Testing Results similar to those in the PEM Report. The task group will seek to work with gasket manufacturers and ask them to participate in task force meetings to facilitate * Obtaining data such as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Technical Data Sheets (TDS), etc. * Partnering on performance testing * Gaining better understanding of materials and functional issues The next meeting of the Gasket Task Force is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, February 23rd at 3pm. Expressions of interest in participating in this effort are therefore requested no later than February 15th to ensure there is sufficient member interest to move ahead with this activity. Interested parties who are not members of FCHEA are also invited to express interest. Please e-mail Karen Hall at khall@fchea.org if you are interested in participating in the development of this report.