The advanced bipolar plates are currently in prototype tests with global manufacturers of electrolyzers and electrolysis stacks. The plates should be ready for commercial production by mid-2024.
Hydrogen pioneer
Dana has been developing and producing components for fuel cell stacks used in mobile applications and much more. At their core, fuel cell stacks are made up of as many as several hundred metallic bipolar plates. These stacks produce the energy for fuel cell electric drives.
The integrated bipolar plates made of steel or titanium improve the stacks’ efficiency thanks to a special flow field design and lower electrical losses. For coating and sealing the plates, Dana relies on the gasket experts at REINZ-Dichtungs-GmbH of Neu-Ulm, a subsidiary of Dana Incorporated.
Victor Reinz on the aftermarket
As an international automotive supplier, REINZ-Dichtungs-GmbH specializes in the development and production of gasket technology, shielding solutions and fuel cell components. As an original equipment manufacturer, the company works with all of the world’s big-name car and engine producers – from Smart to Bugatti. Victor Reinz also stands for the most comprehensive range of spare parts on the aftermarket: altogether, 16,500 Victor Reinz brand spare parts are available for cars and trucks. REINZOSIL from Victor Reinz is one of the world’s most successful universal sealing compounds for the automotive industry.
From 2 to 8 million
Dana is the only supplier that produces both metallic and graphite composite designs. The company will be shipping nearly two million bipolar plates with integrated sealing systems and coatings this year – a reliable and cost-effective product solution for a wide range of innovative fuel cell drives.
To satisfy the rising worldwide demand, Dana is expanding the largest production line for metallic bipolar plates in Europe at REINZ-Dichtungs-GmbH in Neu-Ulm. The plant can produce up to eight million metallic bipolar plates a year and is planning to commence with serial production this year.
More information on Dana’s solutions for next-generation metallic bipolar plates can be found at www.dana.com/product/metallic-bipolar-plates.