| Johnson
Matthey, the world leader in catalysts and catalysed
components for fuel cells, has demonstrated a new fuel
processor capable of converting both natural gas and
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) to hydrogen which can
be used directly in a fuel cell to provide electricity
cleanly and at high rates of efficiency. Based on Johnson
Matthey's advanced catalyst technology, the system
is equally efficient with either fuel and can be changed
from one to the other at any time. Catalytic fuel processors
are cleaner, more robust and easier to operate than
systems based on other technologies.
In urban locations
natural gas is often readily available and is the
preferred choice of fuel for houses and offices connected
to a gas main. In many circumstances, however, natural
gas is not available and bottled gas (LPG) must be
used. The ability to use either fuel extends the
range of applications that the fuel processor can
service and dramatically reduces the development
costs that would be required for two single fuel
processors.
Commenting on this
important development Neil Carson, Executive Director,
said:
"The initial customers
for high value fuel cell systems will be residential
users in areas with unreliable power supplies. Hence
many of our development partners have requested LPG
fuel processors for these applications. Ultimately,
the larger market will probably be for natural gas
fueled systems and our ability to supply both markets
with the same processor reduces the development cost
and increases the speed to market of the technology".
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Enquiries:
Johnson
Matthey
Neil Carson
Executive Director
Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8449
Jack Frost
Director
Fuel Cell business
Tel: +44 (0)118 9242158
Ian Godwin
Group Public Relations Manager
Tel: +44 (0)20 7269 8410
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