3. Multi-cell reactor

3.1 Choice of cell geometry

Is it preferable to manufacture stacks with circular or rectangular cell geometry? Several factors must be taken into account, although ultimately it is cost that determines the choice. The size of the reactor is one of the factors that influences cell geometry. Machining large components can be easier if they are circular in shape.

However, this inevitably leads to material losses during cutting, which, in the case of PEM, quickly become prohibitive. On the other hand, thermoplastic injection techniques make it fairly easy to switch to a rectangular format. Furthermore, operating pressure also plays a role. The circular geometry allows for a uniform radial distribution of this pressure. In the case of a rectangular cell, the internal...