H2 Know-how transfer: How hydrogen technology benefits from sealing technology

Bipolar Plates and H2 Gaskets

Dana Neu-Ulm (REINZ-Dichtungs-GmbH) uses its expertise as a gasket specialist for the production of bipolar plates used in fuel cells and electrolyzers. The US company Dana Incorporated has been developing hydrogen components for over 20 years and ranks among the technology pioneers for bipolar plates. The company also provides time-tested gaskets for hydrogen applications with its high-quality sealing materials.

Mass Production Launched

Dana’s site in Neu-Ulm now sets new records for metallic bipolar plates used for fuel cell stacks. It set up a high-volume line for metallic bipolar plates in just two years – the largest production line in Europe, churning out eight million components a year. The plates are reshaped and stamped in two huge presses before being cleaned, welded and coated. Plans to expand production capacities even further are already on the table.

Alongside the new high-volume line, Dana Neu-Ulm is running smaller series production with a capacity of 800,000 plates per year. The company will continue to use this line to produce bipolar plates according to individual customer specifications.

An Electrolyzer Breakthrough

Dana confirmed that it is developing metallic bipolar plates for electrolyzers with proton exchange membranes (PEM) at the 2023 Hannover Messe. These plates set new performance standards in hydrogen production. Prototype tests are currently underway at the world’s leading electrolyzer manufacturers. Dana Neu-Ulm supports manufacturers of electrolyzers in the technology breakthrough with the help of the latest generation of highperformance metallic bipolar plates.

Sealing off Hydrogen Safely

Hydrogen, a gas with a small molecular size and high diffusibility, is now flowing through more and more industrial production systems. AFM 34 sealing material from Victor Reinz® has proven its exceptional gastightness in leakage tests under EN 13555 – with hydrogen as the test medium. AFM 34 is physiologically harmless, has been approved many times over and is chemically resistant to H2. This makes the aramid fiberbased universal sealing material the perfect sealing solution for hydrogen.

Partner of the Hydrogen Industry

Dana Neu-Ulm (REINZ-Dichtungs-GmbH) has been successively transferring its expertise as a sealing specialist to hydrogen and fuel cell technology. The company uses unique technological features to develop and produce innovative components to commercialize the emission-free energy source hydrogen.

Fuel Cell Expo Tokyo and HANNOVER MESSE

The 22nd FC Expo, the world’s largest trade fair for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry will take place in Tokyo from February 28 to March 1, 2024. Dana will be exhibiting at the Fuel Cell Expo Tokyo. Furthermore, Dana will be one of more than 500 exhibitors from the hydrogen and fuel cell industry at HANNOVER MESSE, the world’s most important industry fair from April 22 to 26, 2024. Come and visit us, we look forward to seeing you in Tokyo and Hanover.