IEC 62282-7-2:2025
(Main)Fuel cell technologies - Part 7-2: Test methods - Single cell and stack performance tests for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)
Fuel cell technologies - Part 7-2: Test methods - Single cell and stack performance tests for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)
IEC 62282-7-2:2025 applies to SOFC cell/stack assembly units, testing systems, instruments and measuring methods, and specifies test methods to test the performance of SOFC cells and stacks. This document is not applicable to small button cells that are designed for SOFC material testing and provide no practical means of fuel utilization measurement. This document is used based on the recommendation of the entity that provides the cell performance specification or for acquiring data on a cell or stack in order to estimate the performance of a system based on it. Users of this document can selectively execute test items suitable for their purposes from those described in this document.
Technologies des piles à combustible - Partie 7-2: Méthodes d’essai - Essais de performance de cellule élémentaire et de pile pour les piles à combustible à oxyde solide (SOFC)
L’IEC 62282-7-2:2025 s’applique aux entités d’assemblage de cellules/piles SOFC, aux systèmes d’essai, aux appareils et aux méthodes de mesure, et spécifie des méthodes d’essai afin de vérifier les performances des cellules et des piles SOFC. Le présent document ne s’applique pas aux petites piles boutons qui sont conçues pour les essais de matériaux SOFC et ne prévoient aucun moyen pratique de mesure de l’utilisation de combustible. Le présent document est utilisé en réponse à la recommandation de l’entité qui fournit la spécification des performances des cellules ou pour l’acquisition de données sur une cellule ou une pile, afin d’estimer les performances d’un système qui serait basé sur celle-ci. Parmi les éléments d’essai décrits dans le présent document, les utilisateurs du présent document peuvent choisir d’exécuter ceux qui sont pertinents pour les applications visées.
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IEC 62282-7-2 ®
Edition 2.0 2025-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fuel cell technologies –
Part 7-2: Test methods – Single cell and stack performance tests for solid oxide
fuel cells (SOFCs)
Technologies des piles à combustible –
Partie 7-2: Méthodes d’essai – Essais de performance de cellule élémentaire et
de pile pour les piles à combustible à oxyde solide (SOFC)
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IEC 62282-7-2 ®
Edition 2.0 2025-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Fuel cell technologies –
Part 7-2: Test methods – Single cell and stack performance tests for solid oxide
fuel cells (SOFCs)
Technologies des piles à combustible –
Partie 7-2: Méthodes d’essai – Essais de performance de cellule élémentaire et
de pile pour les piles à combustible à oxyde solide (SOFC)
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 27.070 ISBN 978-2-8327-0241-3
– 2 – IEC 62282-7-2:2025 © IEC 2025
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms, definitions and symbols. 9
3.1 Terms and definitions . 9
3.2 Symbols . 11
4 General safety conditions . 12
5 Cell/stack assembly unit . 12
6 Testing system . 12
6.1 Subsystems in testing system . 12
6.1.1 General . 12
6.1.2 Anode gas control subsystem . 13
6.1.3 Cathode gas control subsystem . 13
6.1.4 Cell/stack assembly unit temperature control subsystem . 13
6.1.5 Output power control subsystem . 13
6.1.6 Measurement and data acquisition subsystem . 14
6.1.7 Safety subsystem . 14
6.1.8 Mechanical load control subsystem. 14
6.1.9 Gas pressure control subsystem for anode and cathode . 14
6.1.10 Test system control subsystem . 14
6.2 Maximum variation in control items of testing system . 14
7 Instruments and measurement methods . 15
7.1 General . 15
7.2 Instrument uncertainty . 15
7.3 Anode gas . 15
7.3.1 Anode gas flow rate . 15
7.3.2 Anode gas composition . 15
7.3.3 Anode gas temperature . 16
7.3.4 Anode gas pressure . 17
7.3.5 Anode exhaust gas flow rate . 17
7.3.6 Anode exhaust gas component . 17
7.3.7 Anode exhaust gas temperature . 17
7.3.8 Anode exhaust gas pressure. 17
7.4 Cathode gas . 18
7.4.1 Cathode gas flow rate . 18
7.4.2 Cathode gas component . 18
7.4.3 Cathode gas temperature . 18
7.4.4 Cathode gas pressure. 18
7.4.5 Cathode exhaust gas flow rate . 18
7.4.6 Cathode exhaust gas component . 19
7.4.7 Cathode exhaust gas temperature . 19
7.4.8 Cathode exhaust gas pressure . 19
7.5 Output voltage . 19
7.6 Output current . 19
7.7 Cell/stack assembly unit temperature . 19
7.8 Mechanical load . 19
7.9 Total impedance . 20
7.10 Ambient conditions. 20
8 Test preparation . 20
8.1 General . 20
8.2 Standard test conditions and test range . 20
8.3 Components and impurities of anode gas and cathode gas . 21
8.4 Basis of the test procedure . 21
8.5 Confirmation of aging conditions of unit . 21
8.6 Confirmation of criteria of stable state . 21
8.7 Data acquisition method . 21
9 Test procedure . 22
9.1 Set-up . 22
9.2 Initial conditioning . 22
9.3 Shutdown . 22
10 Performance test . 22
10.1 Rated power test . 22
10.1.1 Objective . 22
10.1.2 Test method . 23
10.1.3 Presentation of results . 23
10.2 Current-voltage characteristics test . 23
10.2.1 Objective . 23
10.2.2 Test method . 23
10.2.3 Presentation of results . 24
10.3 Effective fuel utilization dependency test . 24
10.3.1 Objective . 24
10.3.2 Test method . 24
10.3.3 Presentation of results . 25
10.4 Long term durability test . 25
10.4.1 Objective . 25
10.4.2 Test method . 25
10.4.3 Presentation of results . 26
10.5 Thermal cycling durability test . 26
10.5.1 Objective . 26
10.5.2 Test method . 26
10.5.3 Presentation of results . 27
10.6 Internal reforming performance test . 27
10.6.1 Objective . 27
10.6.2 Test method . 27
10.6.3 Presentation of results . 28
10.7 Resistance components identification test . 28
10.7.1 Objective . 28
10.7.2 Test method . 28
10.7.3 Presentation of results . 29
11 Test report . 30
11.1 General . 30
11.2 Report items . 30
11.3 Test unit data description . 30
– 4 – IEC 62282-7-2:2025 © IEC 2025
11.4 Test conditions description. 30
11.5 Test data description . 31
11.6 Uncertainty evaluation . 31
Annex A (informative) Example of cell assembly unit . 32
Annex B (informative) Calculation of effective fuel utilization . 33
B.1 General . 33
B.2 Calculation method . 33
B.3 Calculation examples . 35
B.3.1 Calculation from anode gas composition and flow rate . 35
B.3.2 Calculation from supplied H and H O flow rate . 35
2 2
Annex C (informative) Calculation of effective oxygen utilization . 36
C.1 General . 36
C.2 Calculation method . 36
C.3 Calculation example . 37
Annex D (informative) Maximum width of the voltage hysteresis in I‑V characteristics
test . 38
Annex E (informative) Current-voltage characteristics test under constant effective
fuel utilization . 39
Annex F (informative) Test report (template) . 40
F.1 Overview. 40
F.2 General information . 40
F.3 Test unit data description . 40
F.4 Test conditions . 41
F.5 Rated power test . 41
F.6 Current-voltage characteristics test . 41
F.7 Effective fuel utilization dependency test . 42
F.8 Long-term durability test . 43
F.9 Thermal cycling durability test . 44
F.10 Internal reforming performance test . 45
F.11 Resistance components identification test . 45
Annex G (informative) Method for determining instrument expanded uncertainty . 46
Bibliography . 47
Figure 1 – Testing system . 13
Figure 2 – Typical diagram of complex impedance plot for SOFC . 29
Figure A.1 – Example of cell assembly unit . 32
Figure D.1 – Voltage hysteresis at a given sweep rate in I-V characteristics test . 38
Figure E.1 – Example of the record in current-voltage characteristics test under
constant effective fuel utilization at increasing steps in current . 39
Table 1 – Symbols . 11
Table B.1 − n for representative fuels . 34
j
Table B.2 − Anode gas composition, flow rate of each fuel component q , and n q . 35
j j j
Table C.1 − Cathode gas composition, q , and I . 37
O2 theory
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES –
Part 7-2: Test methods – Single cell and stack performance tests
for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
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Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
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3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) IEC draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use of (a)
patent(s). IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed patent rights in
respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, IEC had not received notice of (a) patent(s), which
may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are cautioned that this may not represent
the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent database available at https://patents.iec.ch. IEC
shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
IEC 62282-7-2 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 105: Fuel cell technologies. It is
an International Standard.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition published in 2021. This edition
constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) Table 1 has been revised to specify the units missing for some terms;
b) bibliographical entries (ISO/TR 15916, SOCTESQA test modules and ISO/IEC Guide 98-
6:2021) have been added to provide further information.
– 6 – IEC 62282-7-2:2025 © IEC 2025
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
Draft Report on voting
105/1093/FDIS 105/1099/RVD
Full information on the voting for its approval can be found in the report on voting indicated in
the above table.
The language used for the development of this International Standard is English.
This document was drafted in accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, and developed in
accordance with ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1 and ISO/IEC Directives, IEC Supplement, available
at www.iec.ch/members_experts/refdocs. The main document types developed by IEC are
described in greater detail at www.iec.ch/publications.
A list of all parts in the IEC 62282 series, published under the general title Fuel cell technologies,
can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under webstore.iec.ch in the data related to the
specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn, or
• revised.
INTRODUCTION
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have a broad range of geometry and size. As such, in general,
peripherals like current collectors and gas manifolds are unique to each cell or stack and are
often incorporated into a cell or stack to form one integrated unit. In addition, they tend to have
a significant effect on the power generation characteristics of the cell or stack. This document
therefore introduces as its subject "cell/stack assembly units", which are defined as those units
containing not only a cell or stack but also peripherals.
– 8 – IEC 62282-7-2:2025 © IEC 2025
FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES –
Part 7-2: Test methods – Single cell and stack performance tests
for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)
1 Scope
This part of IEC 62282 applies to SOFC cell/stack assembly units, testing systems, instruments
and measuring methods, and specifies test methods to test the performance of SOFC cells and
stacks.
This document is not applicable to small button cells that are designed for SOFC material testing
and provide no practical means of fuel utilization measurement.
This document is used based on the recommendation of the entity that provides the cell
performance specification or for acquiring data on a cell or stack in order to estimate the
performance of a system based on it. Users of this document can selectively execute test items
suitable for their purposes from those described in this document.
Users can substitute selected test methods of this document with equivalent test methods of
IEC 62282-8-101 for solid oxide cell (SOC) operation for energy storage purposes, operated in
reverse or reversible mode.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies.
For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any
amendments) applies.
IEC 60050-485, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) – Part 485: Fuel cell
technologies, available at https://www.electropedia.org
IEC 60584-1, Thermocouples – Part 1: EMF specifications and tolerances
IEC 60584-3, Thermocouples – Part 3: Extension and compensating cables – Tolerances and
identification system
IEC 61515, Mineral insulated metal-sheathed thermocouple cables and thermocouples
ISO 5168, Measurement of fluid flow – Procedures for the evaluation of uncertainties
ISO 6974 (all parts), Natural gas – Determination of composition with defined uncertainty by
gas chromatography
ISO 7066-2, Assessment of uncertainty in the calibration and use of flow measurement devices
– Part 2: Non-linear calibration relationships
ISO 8573-1, Compressed air – Part 1: Contaminants and purity classes
ISO 8756, Air quality – Handling of temperature, pressure and humidity data
ISO 12185, Crude petroleum, petroleum products and related products – Determination of
density – Laboratory density meter with an oscillating U-tube sensor
3 Terms, definitions and symbols
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 60050-485 and the
following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following
addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
cell/stack assembly unit
unit including a single cell or stack, as well as gas supply parts, current collector parts, and any
other peripherals used in power generation tests
3.1.2
active electrode area
geometric electrode area upon which an electrochemical reaction occurs
Note 1 to entry: Usually the active electrode area is the smaller of the anode and cathode areas.
3.1.3
current density
current divided by the active electrode area
3.1.4
average repeating unit voltage
cell/stack assembly unit voltage divided by the number of the cells in a series connection in the
unit
3.1.5
anode gas
gas that is supplied to the inlet of the anode of a single cell/stack assembly unit
Note 1 to entry: Such a gas belongs to one of the following categories:
a) pure hydrogen or mixture that contains hydrogen as a principal component with water vapour or nitrogen;
b) reformed gas of raw fuel of SOFC such as methane or kerosene premixed with water vapour or air as oxidant;
c) simulated gas of reformate that contains hydrogen, water vapour, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane,
nitrogen, etc., as main components;
d) methane, alcohols and other raw fuels directly supplied in pure form or mixed with water vapour or air, or both.
e) condensable gas operating in gas phase such as anhydrous ammonia (NH ) as raw input fuel or in cracked form.
3.1.6
cathode gas
gas that is supplied to the inlet of the cathode of a single cell/stack assembly unit
Note 1 to entry: Oxygen and nitrogen are its main components.
3.1.7
current collector
conductive material in a cell/stack assembly unit that collects electrons from the anode side or
conducts electrons to the cathode side
– 10 – IEC 62282-7-2:2025 © IEC 2025
3.1.8
stable state
condition of a cell/stack assembly unit at which the unit is stable enough for any controlling
parameter and the output voltage or output current of the unit to remain within its tolerance
range of variation
3.1.9
theoretical current
current when the supplied anode gas or cathode gas is completely consumed in electrochemical
reactions divided by the number of cells in a series connection
3.1.10
effective fuel utilization
ratio of the actual output current of the cell/stack assembly unit to the theoretical current that is
calculated for the supplied fuel
Note 1 to entry: The effective utilization is the utilization of reactants in the electrochemical reaction at the anode
due to the actual current. This can be less than the actual or total utilization if there are gas inlet and cross leaks.
Note 2 to entry: Causes of less-than-optimal currents include losses due to electronic conduction within the
cell/stack assembly, gas leaks.
Note 3 to entry: A calculation method of effective fuel utilization is given in Annex B.
3.1.11
effective oxygen utilization
ratio of the actual output current of the cell/stack assembly unit to the theoretical current that is
calculated for the supplied oxygen
Note 1 to entry: The effective utilization is the utilization of reactants in the electrochemical reaction at the cathode
due to the actual current. This can be less than the actual or total utilization if there are gas inlet and cross leaks.
Note 2 to entry: A calculation method of effective oxygen utilization is given in Annex C.
3.1.12
maximum effective fuel utilization
highest effective fuel utilization that the cell/stack assembly unit can operate at, without causing
unacceptable degradation
Note 1 to entry: The acceptable degradation rate is usually obtained from the developer.
3.1.13
minimum cell/stack assembly unit voltage
lowest cell/stack assembly unit voltage specified by the manufacturer
3.1.14
open circuit voltage
OCV
voltage across the terminals of a cell/stack assembly unit with cathode and anode gases present
and in the absence of external current flow
Note 1 to entry: Also known as "no-load voltage".
3.1.15
total impedance
frequency-dependent losses due to ohmic, activation, diffusion, concentration effects, stray
(parasitic) capacitance and inductances
3.1.16
total resistance
real part of the low-frequency limit of total impedance
3.1.17
stoichiometric ratio
ratio between the number of moles of reactant gas flowing per unit time to that used by the
electrochemical reaction
Note 1 to entry: The terms, "stoichiometric ratio" and "reactant gas utilization," are related. The reciprocal of the
fraction of the gas utilized is the stoichiometric ratio.
3.2 Symbols
Table 1 lists the symbols and units that are used in this document.
Table 1 – Symbols
Symbol Term Unit
a
a Error limit specified from specification of instrument
I Current A
J Current density
A/cm
A Active electrode area
cm
Z Total impedance Ω cm
n Number of transferred electrons
N Number of cells in a series connection in the cell/stack assembly unit
p
Absolute pressure of anode gas kPa
a
p
Absolute pressure of cathode gas kPa
c
P Output power W
P
Output power density W/cm
d
b
q
Flow rate of anode gas
l/min (STP )
a
q
Flow rate of cathode gas l/min (STP)
c
q
Flow rate of fuel component j in anode gas l/min (STP)
j
t Time s, min, h
T
Cell/stack assembly unit operating temperature °C or K
op
u a
Combined standard uncertainty for instruments
c
u a
Standard uncertainty for instrument i
I,i
U
Effective fuel utilization %
f
U
Effective oxygen utilization %
O2
U a
Instrument expanded uncertainty
I
V Voltage V
c
x
Molar fraction of component i or mole percent of component i mol/mol or mol %
i
c
Concentration of component i mol/m
i
ξ
Hydrocarbon conversion rate for hydrocarbon component j %
j
a
Denotes where the unit varies depending on the specification.
b
Abbreviation for standard temperature and pressure
c
Mole percent expressed as one hundred times mole fraction.
– 12 – IEC 62282-7-2:2025 © IEC 2025
4 General safety conditions
An operating fuel cell uses oxidizing and combustible gases. Typically, these gases are stored
in high-pressure containers. In some cases, the fuel can be a toxic condensable gas (such as
ammonia). The fuel cell itself can be operated at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure.
Leaks or outlet flows from cell/stack assembly unit can contain toxic elements (e.g. when using
ammonia as a fuel). Those who carry out cell/stack assembly unit testing shall be trained and
experienced in the operation of test systems and specifically in safety procedures involving
electrical equipment and reactive, compressed gases, and toxic compounds if applicable (e.g.
when using ammonia as a fuel).
Materials which are compatible with the use and storage of the reactant gases shall be used
during testing.
In summary, safely operating a test station requires appropriate technical training and
experience as well as safety facilities and equipment, all of which are outside the scope of this
document.
5 Cell/stack assembly unit
A cell/stack assembly unit includes a cell or stack, gas supply, current leads, and such other
peripherals as required for power generation. It shall be provided with single or multiple
measuring points for temperature and voltage, and one set of current lead points, all to be
specified by the manufacturer.
As shown in Annex A, the boundary of a cell assembly unit goes through the anode gas supply
port, cathode gas supply port, temperature, pressure measuring point, current lead points,
voltage measuring points and mechanical load application points.
Some cell/stack assembly units can have no exhaust port for the anode gas or cathode gas
because of the configuration of the cells. In such cases, the gas flow field pattern and its
material shall be determined by the method recommended by the manufacturer. The load
application method shall be also based on the recommendation of the manufacturer. The
maximum operating temperature recommended by the manufacturer shall not be exceeded.
If the components of a cell/stack assembly unit other than a cell/stack are not specified by the
manufacturer, the following shall be described in the test report, as a minimum:
a) materials and geometry of the peripheral components to be used for testing;
b) flow patterns and directions of anode and cathode gases;
c) locations of temperature measurement, mechanical load application, voltage measurement
and current leads;
d) magnitude of the mechanical load;
e) configuration of assembly unit and its assembling method.
6 Testing system
6.1 Subsystems in testing system
6.1.1 General
As shown in Figure 1, a testing system consists of an anode gas control subsystem, cathode
gas control subsystem, cell/stack assembly unit temperature control subsystem, output power
control subsystem, measurement and data acquisition subsystem and safety subsystem. It can
also include a mechanical load control subsystem, anode gas and cathode gas pressure control
subsystem or a test system control subsystem that controls the whole testing system, or both,
if necessary.
Figure 1 – Testing system
6.1.2 Anode gas control subsystem
The anode gas control subsystem controls the flow rate, composition and temperature of the
anode gas supplied to the cell/stack assembly unit. If the gas composition is to be maintained
throughout the piping, then the materials, temperature, inner diameter and length of the piping
shall be selected such as to ensure that any changes the gas composition can have within the
piping are insignificant. Where necessary, the piping shall be heated or thermally insulated, or
both in order to prevent condensation of water vapour.
Care should be taken to avoid other phenomena, such as carbon deposits, and the evaporation
and transport of undesired materials in the gas streams, such as chromium species.
6.1.3 Cathode gas control subsystem
The cathode gas control subsystem controls the flow rate, composition and temperature of the
cathode gas supplied to the cell/stack assembly unit.
6.1.4 Cell/stack assembly unit temperature control subsystem
The cell/stack assembly unit temperature control subsystem controls, at least, the electric
furnace or the unit temperature. It maintains the operating temperature. The electric furnace
shall be selected to maintain the temperature distribution within the specified tolerance level.
Efforts should be made to minimize the electrical noise that the electric furnace generates while
providing heat. It is assumed that all the test systems will use an electrical furnace for simplicity
and safety reasons.
6.1.5 Output power control subsystem
The output power control subsystem controls the output current or output voltage of the
cell/stack assembly unit.
– 14 – IEC 62282-7-2:2025 © IEC 2025
6.1.6 Measurement and data acquisition subsystem
The measurement and data acquisition subsystem acquires and records the cell/stack assembly
unit temperature, current, voltage, anode gas flow rate, cathode gas flow rate, and optionally,
environmental conditions (ambient temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure)
in accordance with the specified method. If necessary, it also acquires and records the
mechanical load applied to the cell; the temperature, composition and pressure of the cathode
gas and the anode gas; the flow rate, composition, temperature and pressure of anode and
cathode exhaust gases; and cell/stack assembly unit impedance data, etc., in accordance with
the specified method.
6.1.7 Safety subsystem
The safety subsystem functions as a detector and alarm system for malfunctioning of the test
system based on predefined parameters and criteria. If it detects a serious fault, then it shall
automatically establish a safe state in the test system. The anode should be purged with an
inert gas, such as nitrogen, which can also contain hydrogen at concentrations below the lower
flammability limit.
6.1.8 Mechanical load control subsystem
The optional mechanical load control subsystem regulates the mechanical load that is applied
to increase the contact among components in the cell/stack assembly unit. The subsystem
should be strong enough to apply the required mechanical load under the test conditions and
to maintain the load for long term operation.
6.1.9 Gas pressure control subsystem for anode and cathode
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