Carbon capture, Fuel Cell Energy shines again.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

Dear mod, there is no copyright statement on this page, and it offers to print, save pdf or email page, I think the 4 paragraph copyright mandate may not apply here but I could be wrong.

http://fcel.client.shareholder.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=568335
FuelCell Energy Awarded Research Contracts for Renewable Biogas Processing and Carbon Capture

Two Subcontracts for Renewable Biogas Processing Under U.S. Department of Energy Program

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Award to Research Carbon Capture

DANBURY, Conn., April 12, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq:FCEL), a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean, efficient and reliable power plants using renewable and other fuels for commercial, industrial, government, and utility customers, today announced two subcontract awards totaling $1.7 million to demonstrate advanced biogas de-sulfurization technology and a contract to evaluate the effectiveness of Direct FuelCells® (DFC®) to efficiently separate carbon dioxide (CO2) from the emissions of industrial operations such as refineries, cement kilns and pulp and paper mills.

Biogas processing

Direct FuelCells can utilize renewable biogas as a fuel to efficiently generate ultra-clean electricity. Biogas is a waste product generated by industrial processes such as food processing, agriculture and wastewater treatment and contains a high level of sulfur that must be removed prior to being used as a fuel. The demonstration sorbent has an expected lifespan that is up to 30 times longer than the technology currently in use, so may represent a significant cost reduction in biogas clean-up costs. The biogas demonstration projects will determine the market feasibility of a high capacity, expendable sorbent for efficiently removing sulfur from renewable biogas that if successful, could reduce the costs of fuel cells operating on biogas. FuelCell Energy currently has 20 megawatts of DFC biogas power plants, installed and in backlog.

TDA Research, Inc., the prime contractor under this U.S. Department of Energy program, developed the sorbents for the projects which will be demonstrated at a wastewater treatment facility and a family-owned dairy farm, both located in California. The demonstration projects are expected to last 18 months. Founded in 1987, TDA Research is located in Wheat Ridge and Golden, CO.

"Renewable baseload power from fuel cells operating on biogas is a powerful value proposition that FuelCell Energy offers to the market," said Chris Bentley, Executive Vice President, Government R&D Operations, Strategic Manufacturing Development, FuelCell Energy, Inc. "Reducing biogas clean-up costs further enhances the value proposition for converting biogas waste disposal problems into ultra-clean electricity."

Carbon Capture

Direct FuelCells combine fuel with oxygen from the ambient air to efficiently produce electricity and heat using an electrochemical process, without combustion. The award from the EPA will fund initial testing of the ability for Direct FuelCells to consume flue gas instead of ambient air for the power generation process and their capability to cost effectively separate the CO2 within the flue gas. Some types of industrial operations, such as refineries and paper mills, generate flue gas, a waste product that contains CO2. Efficiently and effectively separating the CO2 enables sequestration, preventing the release of this greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.

"Our Direct FuelCell technology is very versatile, providing multiple value streams including ultra-clean power, high quality heat and hydrogen suitable for vehicle transportation or industrial uses," continued Mr. Bentley. "This contract from the US Environmental Protection Agency enables us to research the possibility of yet another value stream, which is the efficient and cost effective capture of carbon using our existing technology. Carbon capture is an important area of focus for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our team is excited to be undertaking this leading edge research."

[truedelphi]

1. This is very interesting. Does anyone know exactly where in Calif.

The experiments are to happen?

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. Not sure about the timing but I did find a link to the European Fuel Cell Forum

at this link: http://fuelcellpower.org.uk/?p=271

They are having a shin dig on June 28 to July 1.

http://fuelcellpower.org.uk/?p=324

This branch of power generation truly is a viable answer to the absolute mess we find ourselves in today.

[kristopher]

3. What is it that has you excited?

Fuel cells aren't new.

Biogas isn't new.

Fuel cells that can convert biogas to electricity aren't new.

The part that is mentioned as innovative is a single sentence that is almost nothing more than a footnote.
"...testing of the ability for Direct FuelCells to consume flue gas instead of ambient air for the power generation process and their capability to cost effectively separate the CO2 within the flue gas."

The use of concentrated CO2 to produce electricity of biofuels isn't that difficult (example algae). However, to be economically viable they depend on some form of concentrated CO2; and since the vast majority of the concentrated CO2 streams have their origins in fossil fuel consumption there is a bit of a conflict with seeing them as a route away from fossil fuels.

In general, this, and other such technologies that depend on smokestack CO2 are best viewed as a way to increase the efficiency of the original fossil fuels that were consumed to produce the CO2. That's because if the captured CO2 is used to produce hydrocarbons for energy, it eventually finds its way from its fossil state where it was REALLY sequestered underground, into the atmosphere. With algae, there is solar energy added to the mix so the efficiency increase is pretty good. I'm not seeing how that happens with the fuel cell.

More details would be great.

Thanks for posting.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. Faq's to keep you amused.

http://www.fuelcellenergy.com/faq.php

FAQ

Please see below for some commonly asked questions concerning our stationary fuel cell technology.

What is a Fuel Cell?

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen from the air to produce electricity, and useable heat and water. Fuel cells produce ultra-clean Direct Current (DC) electricity without the conventional combustion reaction. For more information, please visit our technology page.

What applications are FuelCell Energy's products suitable for?

Our Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) products, range in size from 300 kilowatts (kW) to 2.8 megawatts (MW), and are scalable up to 50 MW. Our systems are suitable for commercial and industrial applications such as hospitality, manufacturing, wastewater treatment, colleges/universities, hospitals, prisons, and utilities. For more information, please visit our markets page or our products page.

Do I need a source of hydrogen to power the fuel cell?

FuelCell Energy's Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) power plants do not require a source of pure hydrogen. The DFC system is unique in that various fuels such as propane, coal gas, natural gas, and anaerobic digestor gas can be internally reformed into hydrogen required to power the fuel cells.

Can I get a FuelCell Energy product for my home or car?

FuelCell Energy's focus is on the stationary fuel cell market that requires 300 kW or more of power.

How do I get more information on a FuelCell Energy product for my facility?

You will find product brochures on this site, as well as technology white papers and spotlights on some of our customers installations. Please visit the sales inquiry page to receive more information on purchasing one of our state-of-the-art stationary fuel cell power plants.

[kristopher]

7. There is nothing new about using reformers to power fuel cells with hydrocarbons

Fuel cells have some advantages over internal combustion but they are not positioned to make any moves based on current technologies. They still cost too much and the problem with cost is related to 1) materials limitations and 2) superior system efficiency performance by battery technology that removed the personal transportation fleet as a potential market. Number 2) means the amount of R&D to solve #1 has been dramatically reduced.

I do think fuel cells are going to play a very important role in the area of heavy equipment. But I still don't see anything new in this company's presser.

[ThomWV]

5. I worked closely with that company when it was first formed

They were developing molten carbonate fuel cell technology at that time, I'm glad to see Chris Bentley is still with them. They were honest people doing good work, they did not try to screw the Government at all, they were a real pleasure to work with. I'm glad to see there are still out there doing the research and development that's required.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. Thank you Thom, and the WV could mean West Virginia and that could mean

that you have something to do with the coal industry.... or not. Either way thanks for the positive input it is highly appreciated.