Overview
As a Mechanical Prototyping Engineer at Twelve I worked to develop the sub and full scale electrolyzer stack hardware platforms. My role included:
Prototyping 100 cell electrolyzer assemblies, supporting equipment, and build process.
Designing electrolyzer hardware and creating 3D CAD models in SolidWorks with supporting GD&T standard drawings.
Writing supporting documentation including BOMs, prototyping validation plans, work instructions, and engineering reports.
Conducting root cause analysis investigations to discover part and build defects and recommend corrective action.
Documenting project development from idea generation to delivery.
Timeline
May 2022 - October 2024
Role
Mechanical Prototyping Engineer
Tools + Skills
Software: SolidWorks, SolidWorks PDM, Ansys (FEA and CFD Basics), Oracle PLM
Hardware: Laser Cutting, 3D printing, Lathe, CNC Mill, Crane, Heat Press, Compressed Air Systems
Engineering: GD&T, DFMA, DFMEA, Tolerance Analysis, Material Selection, Experiment Design, Validation Testing, RCA
Communication: SOP/WI writing, BOM Generation, Project Documentation, Engineering Reports, Process Training for technicians
What’s Twelve’s Electrolyzer Technology?
Twelve’s PEM electrolyzer uses a combination of CO2, H2O, and electricity as inputs for its Stack Hardware. Inside the Stack, a chemical reaction occurs that produces CO and H2O as outputs. That CO is then further processed into other useful chemicals for materials or fuels.
The goal of the technology was to eliminate the need to extract fossil fuels and create a net negative of CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere.
Image courtesy of “Parametric study of PEM water electrolyzer performance”
The Stack
Most PEM Electrolyzer hardware is comprised of the same standard components: End plates, current collectors, an anode and cathode flow field, GDL, PTL, a compression system, and the MEA, where the chemical reaction occurs.
While at Twelve, my work focused on design, prototyping, and process development for the sub-scale and full-scale Stack hardware.
What projects did I work?
Planned and executed production scale PEM electrolyzer builds to validate company technology and further Twelve’s mission of transforming CO2 into essential products and fuel.
Calculated tolerance stack up to determine part specs and meet manufacturer capabilities.
Led team to develop new GDL assemblies to meet change in build process requirements.
Conducted a part defect investigation to determine root cause of leaking assemblies. Developed and executed test plans including mass, profilometer and leak rate measurements.
Designed experiments to uncover part and system deficiencies and provide solution recommendations.
Led a team of 3 to develop the next generation of end hardware for a full scale electrolyzer. Conducted brainstorming sessions, researched industry standards, down selected concepts, and presented designs to the larger electrolyzer design team
Want to learn more?
To learn more about my experience at Twelve, check out my resume or contact me through LinkedIn or email.