Customer story
FlexKraft™ Enables Stable High-Current Conditions for Industrial Electrolysis Research at UCT Prague
At the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, students and researchers use FlexKraft™ to run electrochemical studies under stable, well-defined operating parameters—supporting reproducible results and industrial context in the lab.
Precision current control for demanding electroplating research
Electroplating titanium and aluminium with a conductive and durable metal such as silver is not easy. Being able to precisely control the electrical current during plating plays a crucial role in optimizing
deposition, in terms of even and consistent distribution and thickness.
During testing of such electroplating processes, with the aim of eventually scaling up for industrial application, students at the lab at the University of Chemistry and Technology at Prague use large electrode areas—monopolar and bipolar—with high current (200 to 300 amps).
Stable output in unusual operating parameters
Not many rectifiers are able to operate within these unusual parameters, which is one of the reasons that the lab uses a KraftPowercon FlexKraft™ rectifier with two power modules. It delivers the stable high-current output needed, and its modern design and compact footprint means it is safely and easily accommodated in a relatively small lab environment.
“It’s very important to enable students to experience using high current. This helps them to visualize the industrial context and what it’s like to work with—for example, even just seeing the size of the cable helps with that understanding.”
Supporting electrochemical research under stable, well-defined conditions
Other areas of interest for the university include electrochemical water treatment, water electrolysis processes, and advanced oxidization. Research is important for cell design, but to be able to draw conclusions from phenomena taking place (such as mass transfer and bubble generation), studies need to be undertaken in stable and well-defined conditions. Mathematical modelling also needs specific input data. FlexKraft™ enables the students to fulfil these stringent lab requirements in their testing.