Single Cell Test Station (5kW ~)

Overview

The Single Cell Test Station (5kW ~) is a controlled, instrumented platform for redox flow battery (RFB) research where electrochemical performance depends on both cell kinetics and electrolyte transport. It combines bidirectional power control with flow, temperature, and safety monitoring to generate repeatable datasets for cell development and scale-up decisions.

Principle of Operation

A defined volume of electrolyte is stored in dedicated tanks and pumped through a single flow cell at controlled flow rate and temperature. A built-in charge–discharge module applies programmable current/voltage profiles (galvanostatic or potentiostatic modes) while the system logs cell voltage, current, temperature, and pressure-related parameters. This enables quantification of energy efficiency, polarisation behaviour, mass-transport limits, and stability under realistic operating conditions.

Key Features and Materials

• Electric charge & discharge module with DC load and power supply control
• Electrolyte tank (PE) with full-drain design to support safe changeover and cleaning
• Electrolyte pump with PVDF impeller, plus PVDF flow meter for chemical compatibility
• Cell voltage monitoring for high-resolution electrochemical performance tracking
• Temperature monitoring (PTFE) and plastic-material heat exchange to manage thermal effects
• CPVC piping and corrosion-conscious wetted components
• Automation control and monitoring software for test scripting, alarms, and data export
  
  

Compatibility and Applications

Designed for single-cell RFB evaluation (e.g., vanadium and emerging organic/inorganic chemistries), the station supports:

• Polarisation curves, charge–discharge cycling, and round-trip efficiency studies
• Durability tests, capacity fade tracking, and operating window optimisation
• Flow-rate/temperature sensitivity studies and thermal management validation
• A clear upgrade pathway to higher-power and stack-oriented test stations within the same test ecosystem
  
  

Why ScienceGears

ScienceGears supports Australian & New Zealand researchers with practical system selection, commissioning guidance, and integration pathways to related electrochemistry tools such as potentiostats/galvanostats, EIS-capable platforms, and complementary in-situ characterisation workflows where applicable.