- Email: [email protected]
P+E hydrogen separators for fuel cell applications
NEWS ‘Today we are selling our high-performance fuel cells in many applications, from motor home and sailboat to fire and flood watch systems to surveillance cameras and communication electronics,’ comments Dr Jens Mueller, managing director of SFC. ‘Yet, at the same time, we are already developing tomorrow’s fuel cell products. Our QM system will help us in both areas by creating transparent and efficient work flows which in turn will reflect positively on costs and resources.’ He adds that this will enable the company to offer reduced prices and faster delivery times to customers. Contact: SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG, Brunnthal Nord, Germany. Tel: +49 89 607 45460, www.smartfuelcell.de Or contact: Dr Yunil Hwang, Technology Strategy Team Leader, LG Chem Ltd, Seoul, Korea. Tel. +82 2 3773 7194, Email: [email protected], www.lgchem.com
P+E hydrogen separators for fuel cell applications
P
ennsylvania-based hydrogen membrane systems firm Power+Energy Inc (P+E) has introduced a line of commercial hydrogen separators, including models that can tolerate and remove sulfur from reformed fuel streams. Based on palladium alloy membranes, P+E has developed an entirely new membrane configuration specifically engineered to maximize the recovery efficiency of hydrogen from a mixed gas stream. The separators are designed to be coupled with fuel reformers operating on methanol, ethanol, natural gas, propane, ammonia, gasoline or diesel fuels. In addition, they can also separate hydrogen from alternative fuels including landfill gases, syngas and biomass digesters. The availability of sulfur-compatible hydrogen separation membranes offers substantial benefits for a wide range of military and industrial/commercial fuel cell applications. A major opportunity exists for fuel cell-based auxiliary power units for vehicles, many of which have diesel engines. The availability of fuel cell-based APUs that can operate with standard diesel will open up significant opportunities. At present, the complexity of hydrogen separation and the limited availability of sulfur-free diesel restrict the implementation of fuel cells for auxiliary power applications. This breakthrough will also enable the use of fuel cells for emergency and backup power fueled with commercially available diesel or home heating oil. The company’s membranes can also be used in a membrane reactor. In this mode of operation, the membranes can complete the conversion of residual CO into hydrogen and CO2 (the watergas shift reaction).
March 2006
Contact: Power+Energy Inc, Ivyland, Pennsylvania, USA. Tel: +1 215 942 4600, www.powerandenergy.com Or contact: Power and Energy Japan, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Tel: +81 45 905 2145, www.powerandenergy.jp
South Carolina hydrogen and fuel cell alliance
C
losely following the launch of South Carolina’s 20-year fuel cell strategy [FCB, December], the state’s Department of Commerce has created the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance. This state-wide initiative will promote the development and use of hydrogen, fuel cells and related technologies. The Alliance – under director Fred Humes – will serve as the primary facilitator on hydrogen initiatives in the state, fostering collaborations and promoting the state’s economic potential. Its goals are: developing a governing strategy for hydrogen initiatives and associated economies to enable long-term growth; providing education on the state’s available hydrogen resources and facilities; initiating and evaluating potential partnerships and collaborations for research initiatives; and supporting viable hydrogen demonstrations and projects for the state. The Alliance’s board comprises executives from the state’s major R&D institutions for fuel cell development and the growth of the hydrogen economy: Savannah River National Lab (SRNL), the Center for Hydrogen Research, SC State University, the University of South Carolina (USC), and Clemson University. The Center for Hydrogen Research is a brand-new 5600 m2 facility in Aiken [FCB, October 2004] specifically designed for collaborative hydrogen research. USC performs research in integrated fuel cell development, and hosts the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells. Clemson’s hydrogen-related initiatives primarily relate to research in advanced materials and thermochemical hydrogen production. It houses the International Center for Automotive Research, which will use its expertise to integrate hydrogen and fuel cells in automotive applications, while SC State University is home to the Clyburn Transportation Center, researching future transportation needs. Economic allies for hydrogen development include the South Carolina Research Authority, the state Venture Capital Fund, Concurrent Technologies Corporation and Fuel Cell South. Contact: Fred Humes, Director – South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance, and Director – Center for Hydrogen Research, Aiken, South Carolina, USA. Tel: +1 803 641 3300, www.schydrogen.org
IN BRIEF Hydra Fuel Cell demos hydrogen fuel cells US-based Hydra Fuel Cell (www.hydrafuelcell.com) recently demonstrated beta units of its silicon-based HydraStax™ hydrogen fuel cells to representatives of industry and government at its facility in Beaverton, Oregon. The HydraStax system, which the company says is currently in the final stages of development, is designed to be a mass-producible, modular 10 kWe fuel cell, completely interchangeable and with hot-swappable modules. Hydra Fuel Cell, a subsidiary of American Security Resources Corporation, was established last fall to manufacture and commercialize proprietary fuel cell technology based on printed circuit boards, which was acquired from EGO Design Inc [FCB, November]. Brdar succeeds Leitman as CEO of FCE Connecticut-based FuelCell Energy has announced the election of R. Daniel Brdar as the company’s CEO. Brdar, previously FCE’s president/COO, retains his role of president while taking over from Jerry D. Leitman as CEO. Leitman, who has led the company since 1997, will assist Brdar in a strategic advisory role and will remain as board chairman in the company’s planned management succession. Since joining FCE in 2000, Brdar has been a leader in the company’s sales and marketing, manufacturing and product development organizations. Last year his contributions were recognized with promotion to president/COO while being named to the board. In addition to his role as chairman, Leitman will assist the firm to expand global strategic, government and commercial relationships. Maxwell ultracaps for General Hydrogen fuel cell forklifts Canadian-based General Hydrogen Corporation, a leading developer of hydrogen fuel cellbased power systems for electric forklifts, has placed a 200 000 unit, three-year purchase order for Maxwell Technologies’ Boostcap® ultracapacitors to enhance performance and energy management in General Hydrogen’s Hydricity® Pack technology. The purchase order is part of a strategic supply agreement through which General Hydrogen will source ultracapacitors exclusively from Maxwell. Each Hydricity system incorporates between 30 and 120 Boostcap MC2600 ultracapacitor cells; General Hydrogen anticipates that its volume requirements will escalate rapidly over the next three years. The use of ultracapacitors helps General Hydrogen triple the runtime of forklifts, eliminating the average three lead-acid battery sets per vehicle and the extensive infrastructure normally associated with recharging and care of high-use conventional battery-electric forklifts, according to president/CEO Frank Trotter.
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11
P+E hydrogen separators for fuel cell applications
P
ennsylvania-based hydrogen membrane systems firm Power+Energy Inc (P+E) has introduced a line of commercial hydrogen separators, including models that can tolerate and remove sulfur from reformed fuel streams. Based on palladium alloy membranes, P+E has developed an entirely new membrane configuration specifically engineered to maximize the recovery efficiency of hydrogen from a mixed gas stream. The separators are designed to be coupled with fuel reformers operating on methanol, ethanol, natural gas, propane, ammonia, gasoline or diesel fuels. In addition, they can also separate hydrogen from alternative fuels including landfill gases, syngas and biomass digesters. The availability of sulfur-compatible hydrogen separation membranes offers substantial benefits for a wide range of military and industrial/commercial fuel cell applications. A major opportunity exists for fuel cell-based auxiliary power units for vehicles, many of which have diesel engines. The availability of fuel cell-based APUs that can operate with standard diesel will open up significant opportunities. At present, the complexity of hydrogen separation and the limited availability of sulfur-free diesel restrict the implementation of fuel cells for auxiliary power applications. This breakthrough will also enable the use of fuel cells for emergency and backup power fueled with commercially available diesel or home heating oil. The company’s membranes can also be used in a membrane reactor. In this mode of operation, the membranes can complete the conversion of residual CO into hydrogen and CO2 (the watergas shift reaction).
March 2006
Contact: Power+Energy Inc, Ivyland, Pennsylvania, USA. Tel: +1 215 942 4600, www.powerandenergy.com Or contact: Power and Energy Japan, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Tel: +81 45 905 2145, www.powerandenergy.jp
South Carolina hydrogen and fuel cell alliance
C
losely following the launch of South Carolina’s 20-year fuel cell strategy [FCB, December], the state’s Department of Commerce has created the South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance. This state-wide initiative will promote the development and use of hydrogen, fuel cells and related technologies. The Alliance – under director Fred Humes – will serve as the primary facilitator on hydrogen initiatives in the state, fostering collaborations and promoting the state’s economic potential. Its goals are: developing a governing strategy for hydrogen initiatives and associated economies to enable long-term growth; providing education on the state’s available hydrogen resources and facilities; initiating and evaluating potential partnerships and collaborations for research initiatives; and supporting viable hydrogen demonstrations and projects for the state. The Alliance’s board comprises executives from the state’s major R&D institutions for fuel cell development and the growth of the hydrogen economy: Savannah River National Lab (SRNL), the Center for Hydrogen Research, SC State University, the University of South Carolina (USC), and Clemson University. The Center for Hydrogen Research is a brand-new 5600 m2 facility in Aiken [FCB, October 2004] specifically designed for collaborative hydrogen research. USC performs research in integrated fuel cell development, and hosts the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells. Clemson’s hydrogen-related initiatives primarily relate to research in advanced materials and thermochemical hydrogen production. It houses the International Center for Automotive Research, which will use its expertise to integrate hydrogen and fuel cells in automotive applications, while SC State University is home to the Clyburn Transportation Center, researching future transportation needs. Economic allies for hydrogen development include the South Carolina Research Authority, the state Venture Capital Fund, Concurrent Technologies Corporation and Fuel Cell South. Contact: Fred Humes, Director – South Carolina Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance, and Director – Center for Hydrogen Research, Aiken, South Carolina, USA. Tel: +1 803 641 3300, www.schydrogen.org
IN BRIEF Hydra Fuel Cell demos hydrogen fuel cells US-based Hydra Fuel Cell (www.hydrafuelcell.com) recently demonstrated beta units of its silicon-based HydraStax™ hydrogen fuel cells to representatives of industry and government at its facility in Beaverton, Oregon. The HydraStax system, which the company says is currently in the final stages of development, is designed to be a mass-producible, modular 10 kWe fuel cell, completely interchangeable and with hot-swappable modules. Hydra Fuel Cell, a subsidiary of American Security Resources Corporation, was established last fall to manufacture and commercialize proprietary fuel cell technology based on printed circuit boards, which was acquired from EGO Design Inc [FCB, November]. Brdar succeeds Leitman as CEO of FCE Connecticut-based FuelCell Energy has announced the election of R. Daniel Brdar as the company’s CEO. Brdar, previously FCE’s president/COO, retains his role of president while taking over from Jerry D. Leitman as CEO. Leitman, who has led the company since 1997, will assist Brdar in a strategic advisory role and will remain as board chairman in the company’s planned management succession. Since joining FCE in 2000, Brdar has been a leader in the company’s sales and marketing, manufacturing and product development organizations. Last year his contributions were recognized with promotion to president/COO while being named to the board. In addition to his role as chairman, Leitman will assist the firm to expand global strategic, government and commercial relationships. Maxwell ultracaps for General Hydrogen fuel cell forklifts Canadian-based General Hydrogen Corporation, a leading developer of hydrogen fuel cellbased power systems for electric forklifts, has placed a 200 000 unit, three-year purchase order for Maxwell Technologies’ Boostcap® ultracapacitors to enhance performance and energy management in General Hydrogen’s Hydricity® Pack technology. The purchase order is part of a strategic supply agreement through which General Hydrogen will source ultracapacitors exclusively from Maxwell. Each Hydricity system incorporates between 30 and 120 Boostcap MC2600 ultracapacitor cells; General Hydrogen anticipates that its volume requirements will escalate rapidly over the next three years. The use of ultracapacitors helps General Hydrogen triple the runtime of forklifts, eliminating the average three lead-acid battery sets per vehicle and the extensive infrastructure normally associated with recharging and care of high-use conventional battery-electric forklifts, according to president/CEO Frank Trotter.
Fuel Cells Bulletin
11