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Celanese venture to commercialize fuel cell technology
ISSN 0958-2118 June 2004 www.filtsep.com
Celanese venture to commercialize fuel cell technology Siemens to buy USFilter German-based Celanese AG has formed PEMEAS Fuel Cell Technologies – with a consortium of investors led by UK-based Conduit Ventures Ltd – to promote the commercialization of its fuel cell technology. PEMEAS supplies membrane-electrode assemblies for high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, which are expected to be more cost-effective and reliable than conventional low-temperature fuel cells. The venture, in which Celanese holds a minority stake, has raised total financing of approximately 18 million. The Conduit-led consortium also comprises Sustainable Asset Management in Zürich, CDP Capital in Québec, Canada and InfraServ GmbH & Co Hoechst KG in Frankfurt, a Celanese affiliate
which manages the industrial park FrankfurtHoechst. Conduit is a venture capital company that focuses on fuel cells and related hydrogen technologies, and is backed by Danfoss A/S, Johnson Matthey, Mitsubishi Corporation and Shell Hydrogen. Contacts: Dr Jürgen Pawlik, PEMEAS Fuel Cell Technologies, Industriepark Hoechst, G864, D-65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Tel: +49 69 305 82463, Fax: +49 69 305 17709, Email: [email protected], www.pemeas.com Conduit Ventures Ltd, 20–21 Took’s Court, Cursitor Street, London EC4A 1LB, UK. Tel: +44 207 242 9595, www.conduit-ventures.com
Electropure second patent for ion-exchange membrane Electropure Inc of Laguna Hills, California has been granted a second US patent for its ion-exchange membranes. These membranes form an integral part of the company’s electrodeionization (EDI) water purification technology. EDI is used in industrial water treatment systems to produce ultrapure water for electronic, pharmaceutical and power generation applications. The company markets its membrane for non-EDI uses under the trade name Excellion. The patent (US 6716888) describes an improved ion-exchange membrane made by
using Electropure’s environmentally friendly, ‘solventless’ process. This reduces the membrane’s exposure to heat, which could damage sensitive ion-exchange sites. Electropure says that it is continuing to expand its portfolio of US and foreign patents in this technology. The company currently exports about two-thirds of its EDI products, and sells to 37 countries worldwide. Contact: Electropure Inc, 23456 South Pointe Drive, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, USA. Tel: +1 949 770 9347, Fax: +1 949 770 9209, www.electropure-inc.com
Ceramic membranes aid hydrogen-based technologies The US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Lab is working on a ceramic membrane which may help develop hydrogenbased technologies, such as fuel cell vehicles. Ceramic membranes lack pores, and are made of dense, conductive materials through which only electrons and certain ions can pass. The membranes behave differently depending on the material used to form them. After studying the
conductivity and solubility of various materials, an Argonne research team developed a composite ceramic oxide that transports only hydrogen and electrons, producing a stream of pure hydrogen suitable for use in hydrogen technologies. The new membrane tolerates temperatures up to 900°C, unlike most membrane systems. At such high temperatures more hydrogen can be pushed through the membrane’s structure.
ISSN 0958-2118/04 © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use.
French-based Veolia Environnement has signed an agreement under which it will sell US Filter Corporation’s systems and services businesses to Siemens, for US$993 million. Veolia Environnement says that the move is a major step in its strategy to refocus its water activities in North America on long-term contracts for both municipal and industrial clients, which was announced last September. It follows the sale of Everpure in November 2003. ‘The sale of US Filter Corp’s systems and services businesses generated significant interest from both strategic and financial investors,’ says Henri Proglio, chairman/CEO of Veolia Environnement. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2004 following approval by the applicable antitrust authorities. Contact: Veolia Water North America, 14950 Heathrow Forest Parkway, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77032. Tel: +1 281 985 5479, Fax: +1 281 449 1500, www.veoliawaterna.com
Contents News
1–4
In Brief
3, 4
Feature: GTL synthesis gas generation membrane for monetizing stranded gas By Susanne Olsen and Edward Gobina – Centre for Process Integration & Membrane Technology, Robert Gordon University, UK 6–10 Patents
11–14
Events Calendar
15
Research Trends
15–16
Celanese venture to commercialize fuel cell technology Siemens to buy USFilter German-based Celanese AG has formed PEMEAS Fuel Cell Technologies – with a consortium of investors led by UK-based Conduit Ventures Ltd – to promote the commercialization of its fuel cell technology. PEMEAS supplies membrane-electrode assemblies for high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, which are expected to be more cost-effective and reliable than conventional low-temperature fuel cells. The venture, in which Celanese holds a minority stake, has raised total financing of approximately 18 million. The Conduit-led consortium also comprises Sustainable Asset Management in Zürich, CDP Capital in Québec, Canada and InfraServ GmbH & Co Hoechst KG in Frankfurt, a Celanese affiliate
which manages the industrial park FrankfurtHoechst. Conduit is a venture capital company that focuses on fuel cells and related hydrogen technologies, and is backed by Danfoss A/S, Johnson Matthey, Mitsubishi Corporation and Shell Hydrogen. Contacts: Dr Jürgen Pawlik, PEMEAS Fuel Cell Technologies, Industriepark Hoechst, G864, D-65926 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Tel: +49 69 305 82463, Fax: +49 69 305 17709, Email: [email protected], www.pemeas.com Conduit Ventures Ltd, 20–21 Took’s Court, Cursitor Street, London EC4A 1LB, UK. Tel: +44 207 242 9595, www.conduit-ventures.com
Electropure second patent for ion-exchange membrane Electropure Inc of Laguna Hills, California has been granted a second US patent for its ion-exchange membranes. These membranes form an integral part of the company’s electrodeionization (EDI) water purification technology. EDI is used in industrial water treatment systems to produce ultrapure water for electronic, pharmaceutical and power generation applications. The company markets its membrane for non-EDI uses under the trade name Excellion. The patent (US 6716888) describes an improved ion-exchange membrane made by
using Electropure’s environmentally friendly, ‘solventless’ process. This reduces the membrane’s exposure to heat, which could damage sensitive ion-exchange sites. Electropure says that it is continuing to expand its portfolio of US and foreign patents in this technology. The company currently exports about two-thirds of its EDI products, and sells to 37 countries worldwide. Contact: Electropure Inc, 23456 South Pointe Drive, Laguna Hills, CA 92653, USA. Tel: +1 949 770 9347, Fax: +1 949 770 9209, www.electropure-inc.com
Ceramic membranes aid hydrogen-based technologies The US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Lab is working on a ceramic membrane which may help develop hydrogenbased technologies, such as fuel cell vehicles. Ceramic membranes lack pores, and are made of dense, conductive materials through which only electrons and certain ions can pass. The membranes behave differently depending on the material used to form them. After studying the
conductivity and solubility of various materials, an Argonne research team developed a composite ceramic oxide that transports only hydrogen and electrons, producing a stream of pure hydrogen suitable for use in hydrogen technologies. The new membrane tolerates temperatures up to 900°C, unlike most membrane systems. At such high temperatures more hydrogen can be pushed through the membrane’s structure.
ISSN 0958-2118/04 © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use.
French-based Veolia Environnement has signed an agreement under which it will sell US Filter Corporation’s systems and services businesses to Siemens, for US$993 million. Veolia Environnement says that the move is a major step in its strategy to refocus its water activities in North America on long-term contracts for both municipal and industrial clients, which was announced last September. It follows the sale of Everpure in November 2003. ‘The sale of US Filter Corp’s systems and services businesses generated significant interest from both strategic and financial investors,’ says Henri Proglio, chairman/CEO of Veolia Environnement. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2004 following approval by the applicable antitrust authorities. Contact: Veolia Water North America, 14950 Heathrow Forest Parkway, Suite 200, Houston, TX 77032. Tel: +1 281 985 5479, Fax: +1 281 449 1500, www.veoliawaterna.com
Contents News
1–4
In Brief
3, 4
Feature: GTL synthesis gas generation membrane for monetizing stranded gas By Susanne Olsen and Edward Gobina – Centre for Process Integration & Membrane Technology, Robert Gordon University, UK 6–10 Patents
11–14
Events Calendar
15
Research Trends
15–16