The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS, a member of the largest organization for applied research in Europe, covers the entire spectrum of advanced ceramics, from basic research to application. The range of services includes the application-oriented development of modern high-performance ceramic materials, industry-relevant powder technology manufacturing processes and prototype components through to complete systems. The focus is on structural ceramics, functional ceramics and cermets for innovative solutions in many sectors of the economy.
Fraunhofer IKTS has been active in the field of high-temperature fuel cell development for over 20 years. In the 1990s, SOFC electrode and paste development began in collaboration with Siemens AG, Germany. After the takeover of Westinghouse by Siemens in 1998, Siemens focused on tubular SOFC technology. Parts of Siemens’ planar cell and stack technology were transferred to Fraunhofer.
In cooperation with the companies Webasto SE, H.C. Starck GmbH, staxera GmbH (now sunfire GmbH), EBZ GmbH, KERAFOL GmbH and Plansee SE, activities in the SOFC sector were expanded in the 2000s to include stacks and complete systems. Fraunhofer IKTS’s skills in the field of wastewater treatment were combined with the institute’s fuel cell expertise in the first system demonstrators. In parallel with the continuous expansion of testing options and capacities, a series of specific simulation tools for stacks and system components has been developed. Over the years, Fraunhofer IKTS initiated, or rather played a decisive role in the formation of a cluster of SOFC-specialized companies in Dresden, the BZI Sachsen.
The two major SOFC system development programs eneramic® and Vaillant mikro-KWK were launched in 2008. Fraunhofer IKTS is able to handle large system development programs. The SOFC simulation toolbox was finalized and stack and system development for the SOFC20 consortium was expanded. The first Vaillant Ltd. systems were tested in 2011 – just three years after the start of system development work at Fraunhofer IKTS. In 2012, the CFY stack technology was delivered to field test partners. Fully functional eneramic® systems were also demonstrated in IKTS laboratories. The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS is regarded as one of the leading European institutions in the field of high-temperature fuel cells.
With the signing of the joint venture with Fuel Cell Energy, Inc. Fraunhofer IKTS also began its activities in the field of MCFC technology. Tools and expertise that were initially developed for SOFCs have now also been applied to this technology. Fraunhofer IKTS and FCES GmbH will cost-effectively increase the MCFC stack life expectancy from five to seven, and later up to ten years. This process begins with powder and suspension development – the traditional IKTS core competence.
In cooperation with Fuel Cell Energy Solutions GmbH, Fraunhofer IKTS was able to increase the scale of stationary high-temperature systems from watts to the megawatt range. The introduction of products in the output range from micro to large CHP has already begun. Further markets are to be jointly opened up and applications developed in the coming years.
