Powering SOFC/SOEC Manufacturing with Precision and Efficiency

Our Sintering & Reduction Test Station is built for today’s production challenges, helping you accelerate innovation and scale with confidence.

Why Sintering & Reduction is Critical for Stack Production

In Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)/Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) manufacturing, the sintering and reduction steps define more than just structural integrity — they lay the groundwork for electrochemical performance, long-term durability, and overall system efficiency.

  • Sintering solidifies the stack, ensuring a durable mechanical bond between all layers - cells, interconnectors, and sealing materials.
  • Reduction involves controlled exposure to reducing gases such as hydrogen or safety gas, converting oxides in the electrodes to their elemental form. This phase is vital for both catalyst activation and pore structure formation and thereby electrochemical performance.
  • Thermal gradients, gas concentration, and load application during both heating and cooling influence internal stress and risk of cracking—key factors affecting stack durability and production yield.


Our Sintering & Reduction Station ensures that all of these variables are precisely controlled and repeatable, giving you full command over this critical production phase.
 

Ready to take control of your stack production? Contact our experts today.

Designed for Advanced SOFC/SOEC Production Needs

Whether you are developing or fine-tuning your stack production processes, launching a first pilot-production line, struggling with yield losses due to defects in sintering or reduction or seeking flexible, small-batch prototyping alongside mass production, this solution delivers the performance and automation you need.

Engineered for Excellence: Key Technology Features at a Glance

HORIBA FuelCon Sintering & Reduction Test Station – precision equipment for SOFC/SOEC stack sintering, reduction, and performance testing
1. Unrivaled Process Control
  • Ultra-precise furnace temperature regulation to avoid thermal mismatch cracking between different stack materials
  • Tightly controlled heating and cooling ramps, enabling stress-free thermal transitions
  • High-accuracy mechanical load control prevents stack deformation during high-temperature processing.
  • Gas and steam flow regulation tailored to deliver the exact gas compositions and flow rates required for optimal reduction processes

2. Built-in Safety and Redundancy
  • Advanced 4-level alarm concept operated via an independent safety-PLC, ensuring robust safety and constant monitoring
  • Hot-standby function maintains stack temperature in the event of power loss, protecting your valuable specimens against thermal shock

3. Smart Automation & Digital Integration
  • Our in-house developed TestWork Automation System enables fully automated, event-based operation with user-defined test and production routines
  • Seamless integration with MES systems via MQTT/OPC UA for real-time data exchange, process transparency and traceability

4. Scalable & Flexible System Configurations
  • Available in 1-stack and multi-stack (up to 4 stacks) configurations (2x2 or 4x1) to match your throughput needs
  • Modular design supports customized stack manifolds while using a standard base plate - accommodating a wide variety of stack designs
  • Integrated Analysis Tools such as leak checks, EIS measurements or performance evaluation to validate your stacks directly after processing
  • Optional trolley solution allows off-station stack preparation for maximum station utilization and uptime
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Fuel Cell Testing for SOFC/SOEC Brochure
HORIBA’s SOFC/SOEC Sintering and Reduction Stations deliver precise control of gas flow, composition, temperature, and load parameters for superior process performance.
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Ready to Elevate Your SOFC/SOEC Stack Manufacturing Process?

With HORIBA FuelCon’s Sintering & Reduction Station, you’re not just investing in equipment – you are unlocking a new level of process control, automation, and performance in SOFC/SOEC production.
 

Contact us today to learn how our solutions can elevate your manufacturing capabilities.

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