Winchester, UK - Fuel cell technology developer, ACAL Energy (Cheshire, UK) claims to have achieved record levels of power output from its kilowatt-scale fuel cell system using its patented liquid cathode technology, FlowCath.

Peak power levels of 1.5 kW have been achieved from the hydrogen-fuelled laboratory-scale system. Fuel cell systems utilizing FlowCath ultimately will be a clean and economically sensible alternative to diesel and gasoline engines in stationary power generation and transport applications.

ACAL Energy's FlowCath technology replaces up to 90 percent of the platinum catalyst in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell with a low cost, durable liquid chemical. ACAL Energy has developed a family of proprietary chemical compounds that can already deliver the same level of fuel cell performance as platinum, and which are expected to exceed this level in the future. The technology also reduces the balance of plant costs by eliminating the need for hydration, pressurization, complex cooling and other expensive mechanical sub-systems commonly found in conventional PEM fuel cells.

The kilowatt-scale demonstrator will be the basis for a technology evaluation kit for supply to OEM partners during 2010 to enable them to design Flowcath into their products. ACAL Energy's business strategy is to provide FlowCath to fuel cell system manufacturers in the form of a stack and supporting mechanical elements, as well as the proprietary chemical solutions.

Commenting on the latest achievement, Dr S B Cha, Chief Executive Officer of ACAL Energy said: “Our kilowatt-scale demonstration system is achieving significantly higher levels of power output than originally designed. We remain confident that Flowcath will enable clean fuel cells to succeed internal combustion engines in many applications”.

Related links and articles:

www.acalenergy.co.uk

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