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Horizon fuel cell system with compact methanol reformer
NEWS Cell Technology (NIP). The SchiBZ project aims to demonstrate the reliability of fuel cells as an onboard source of day-to-day power for ships. The aim of using SOFCs on ocean-going vessels is to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions, partly because of stricter legislation in the maritime sector. After successfully testing the system at its headquarters in Dresden, sunfire has now supplied ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems with an initial SOFC rated at 50 kW electric output, which runs on low-sulfur diesel rather than hydrogen or natural gas. The output achieved by the prototype fuel cell can be raised to 500 kW by increasing both its specific power and the number of modules. The recirculation of exhaust gases using a relatively simple, cost-efficient, integrated reforming process developed by the Öl-WärmeInstitut (OWI), makes it possible to achieve an electrical efficiency of over 50% and overall efficiency above 90%. The prototype installed on the MS Forester, the test ship provided by Reederei Braren, will deliver 25–50% of onboard power. One objective of the SchIBZ project is significantly reduced fuel consumption and harmful emissions from marine vessels. The results achieved within the framework of the SchiBZ project can be transferred to a variety of applications: in addition to naval vessels, special ships and cruise liners, the SOFCs could also be used on land, for example as mobile power generators for industry. sunfire GmbH, Dresden, Germany. Tel: +49 351 896 7970, www.sunfire.de/en ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems: www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com/en SchIBZ project: www.e4ships.de/aims-39.html
SMALL STATIONARY
Horizon fuel cell system with compact methanol reformer
S
ingapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies (HFCT) has launched what it says is the world’s lightest and smallest reformer-based fuel cell system. The MFC Mini features the company’s low-cost methanol reformer technology, and is expected to open up some completely new commercial possibilities. The key advantage of the MFC Mini stems from the high energy density and low-cost nature of its methanol/water fuel blend. The energy density of this fuel mixture is over 1000 Wh/kg, around 10 times that of lithium batteries. This new fuel cell enabled system enables extremely
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Fuel Cells Bulletin
long field autonomy for small 12 Vdc equipment used in industrial settings, and has potential for cost-effective, reliable power in remote, off-grid areas. This could be particularly valuable in locations where typical generator fuels are not readily available, but where biomethanol could be produced locally from biomass. The fully integrated DC power system, which weighs less than 9 kg (20 lb), can be used for backing-up or optimising small solar systems. It also provides attractive endurance for systems that currently require frequent battery changes for continuous operation. The MFC Mini is quiet, and can be operated indoors. Since it supplies DC power via the integrated fuel cell, it is also much more efficient than conventional generators. Offering up to 100 W continuous power, the MFC Mini is the smallest of Horizon’s methanol reformer integrated fuel cell products. The wider product family includes power systems capable of continuously producing up to 5 kW. Initial applications for the MFC Mini are off-grid security and environmental monitoring for industrial customers. Horizon is also already in discussion with major companies looking to develop consumer products based on the MFC Mini platform. HFCT is a leading developer of low-power PEMFC systems, and is working to couple new methanol reformer technology to its existing range of low-cost PEMFC products. Earlier this year it launched the MFC 3000, a 3 kW PEM fuel cell system combined with a methanol reformer [FCB, June 2015, p5]. Its subsidiary Horizon Energy Systems is focused on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the Hycopter multirotor UAV [FCB, June 2015, p4], and an apparently cancelled attempt with Scottish UAV developer RaptorUAS to fly a fuel cell powered UAV across the North Sea [FCB, September 2015, p3]. Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, Singapore. Tel: +65 6250 3949, www.horizonfuelcell.com
Keymile uses IRD fuel cell in mission-critical telecom networks
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eymile, a leading supplier of telecom solutions in Germany and Switzerland, is now offering a direct methanol fuel cell from Denmark-based IRD Fuel Cell in its XMC20 hybrid multi-service access and transmission platform. This provides an uninterrupted power supply for mission-critical communications networks for long time periods,
significantly boosting reliability and availability. Keymile has signed a reseller agreement with IRD to use its Model 800 DMFC generator, which increases the reliability of Keymile’s XMC20 product family for mission-critical communications networks belonging to local authorities, railway companies, energy utilities, and oil & gas suppliers. Continued operation is ensured in the event of a power failure, which is vital in emergency communications and other mission-critical networks, such as air traffic, border control, or pipeline monitoring systems. The DMFC generator is placed in a 19-inch rack, and integrated in the standard Keymile UNEM network management system. It is ideal for data centres, and at remote sites without local maintenance personnel. It has been designed to cope with significant temperature fluctuations, and can be operated at altitudes of up to 3000 m (9840 ft) above sea level. IRD specialises in developing and manufacturing DMFC systems, electrolysers, and micro combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Last year the company launched its Elze E1050 electrolyser, a cost-efficient, modular system targeted at residential applications [FCB, September 2014, p9]. IRD Fuel Cell, Odense, Denmark. Tel: +45 6363 3000, www.ird.dk Keymile, DMFCs: www.keymile.com/methanol-brennstoffzelle
Gazprom integrates SFC’s EFOY Pro in remote gas production
G
erman-based SFC Energy reports that its popular EFOY Pro direct methanol fuel cell is being integrated into the ɋȺɗ-110 autonomous energy system developed by Gazprom Georesource (LLC Gazprom Georesurs), which provides geophysical services to the Gazprom Group across Russia. The autonomous system will supply reliable power to off-grid gas applications operated by Gazprom in Russia. Gazprom Georesource selected the EFOY Pro after two years of severe field tests in the harshest weather and operating conditions. This development and qualification phase at remote control telemetry points is a prerequisite for further successful market penetration. Most gas production and transportation sites in Russia operate far from the grid in areas with boggy surfaces, permafrost or rocky ground, which make site trips a major logistic effort.
November 2015
SMALL STATIONARY
Horizon fuel cell system with compact methanol reformer
S
ingapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies (HFCT) has launched what it says is the world’s lightest and smallest reformer-based fuel cell system. The MFC Mini features the company’s low-cost methanol reformer technology, and is expected to open up some completely new commercial possibilities. The key advantage of the MFC Mini stems from the high energy density and low-cost nature of its methanol/water fuel blend. The energy density of this fuel mixture is over 1000 Wh/kg, around 10 times that of lithium batteries. This new fuel cell enabled system enables extremely
4
Fuel Cells Bulletin
long field autonomy for small 12 Vdc equipment used in industrial settings, and has potential for cost-effective, reliable power in remote, off-grid areas. This could be particularly valuable in locations where typical generator fuels are not readily available, but where biomethanol could be produced locally from biomass. The fully integrated DC power system, which weighs less than 9 kg (20 lb), can be used for backing-up or optimising small solar systems. It also provides attractive endurance for systems that currently require frequent battery changes for continuous operation. The MFC Mini is quiet, and can be operated indoors. Since it supplies DC power via the integrated fuel cell, it is also much more efficient than conventional generators. Offering up to 100 W continuous power, the MFC Mini is the smallest of Horizon’s methanol reformer integrated fuel cell products. The wider product family includes power systems capable of continuously producing up to 5 kW. Initial applications for the MFC Mini are off-grid security and environmental monitoring for industrial customers. Horizon is also already in discussion with major companies looking to develop consumer products based on the MFC Mini platform. HFCT is a leading developer of low-power PEMFC systems, and is working to couple new methanol reformer technology to its existing range of low-cost PEMFC products. Earlier this year it launched the MFC 3000, a 3 kW PEM fuel cell system combined with a methanol reformer [FCB, June 2015, p5]. Its subsidiary Horizon Energy Systems is focused on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the Hycopter multirotor UAV [FCB, June 2015, p4], and an apparently cancelled attempt with Scottish UAV developer RaptorUAS to fly a fuel cell powered UAV across the North Sea [FCB, September 2015, p3]. Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, Singapore. Tel: +65 6250 3949, www.horizonfuelcell.com
Keymile uses IRD fuel cell in mission-critical telecom networks
K
eymile, a leading supplier of telecom solutions in Germany and Switzerland, is now offering a direct methanol fuel cell from Denmark-based IRD Fuel Cell in its XMC20 hybrid multi-service access and transmission platform. This provides an uninterrupted power supply for mission-critical communications networks for long time periods,
significantly boosting reliability and availability. Keymile has signed a reseller agreement with IRD to use its Model 800 DMFC generator, which increases the reliability of Keymile’s XMC20 product family for mission-critical communications networks belonging to local authorities, railway companies, energy utilities, and oil & gas suppliers. Continued operation is ensured in the event of a power failure, which is vital in emergency communications and other mission-critical networks, such as air traffic, border control, or pipeline monitoring systems. The DMFC generator is placed in a 19-inch rack, and integrated in the standard Keymile UNEM network management system. It is ideal for data centres, and at remote sites without local maintenance personnel. It has been designed to cope with significant temperature fluctuations, and can be operated at altitudes of up to 3000 m (9840 ft) above sea level. IRD specialises in developing and manufacturing DMFC systems, electrolysers, and micro combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Last year the company launched its Elze E1050 electrolyser, a cost-efficient, modular system targeted at residential applications [FCB, September 2014, p9]. IRD Fuel Cell, Odense, Denmark. Tel: +45 6363 3000, www.ird.dk Keymile, DMFCs: www.keymile.com/methanol-brennstoffzelle
Gazprom integrates SFC’s EFOY Pro in remote gas production
G
erman-based SFC Energy reports that its popular EFOY Pro direct methanol fuel cell is being integrated into the ɋȺɗ-110 autonomous energy system developed by Gazprom Georesource (LLC Gazprom Georesurs), which provides geophysical services to the Gazprom Group across Russia. The autonomous system will supply reliable power to off-grid gas applications operated by Gazprom in Russia. Gazprom Georesource selected the EFOY Pro after two years of severe field tests in the harshest weather and operating conditions. This development and qualification phase at remote control telemetry points is a prerequisite for further successful market penetration. Most gas production and transportation sites in Russia operate far from the grid in areas with boggy surfaces, permafrost or rocky ground, which make site trips a major logistic effort.
November 2015