Patent ID: 8900437

Claim:
An apparatus for forming an oxidation layer on a manifold block for a fuel cell stack, the apparatus comprising: an electrolyte bath containing an electrolyte required for the formation of the oxidation layer; a plurality of flexible electrodes for supplying a required electron flow for the formation of the oxidation layer from a power supply to the manifold block immersed in the electrolyte of the electrolyte batch and to the electrolyte; and an air supply system for supplying oxygen to the electrolyte, wherein at least one electrode is configured to be inserted into each internal flow field of the manifold block, wherein the air supply device further comprises a nozzle disposed in each internal flow field of the manifold block, the nozzle configured to receive at its inlet the electrolyte mixed with air and containing bubbles and supply at its outlet the bubble-containing electrolyte to each internal flow field, wherein the at least one electrode inserted into each internal flow field of the manifold block is coated with an insulating layer, the insulating layer comprising an aperture for providing an electrical connection between the electrode within the insulating layer and the electrolyte filled in the internal flow field, wherein the insulating layer is coated directly on the at least one electrode along the entire length of the insulating layer.