Franklin Fuel Cells, Inc. Generates Significant Power Density Results Testing Direct-Oxidation Fuel Cell Technology On Pure Ethanol
MALVERN, PA - June 20, 2005: Franklin Fuel Cells, Inc. (FFC), has taken another major step toward the development and commercialization of an innovative solid oxide fuel cell technology that provides a cost-effective, environmentally friendly source of energy. The Franklin Fuel Cell(tm) is the only solid oxide fuel cell in existence that successfully runs directly using commercially available fuels. FFC's technology has just achieved a new milestone producing significant power density results running on pure, 100% undiluted ethanol.
The recent results place an exclamation point on a series of tests demonstrating the fuel flexibility of Franklin Fuel Cells' patented Copper-Ceria Anode, the concept that makes Franklin Fuel Cells'
technology unique. Unlike other fuel cell developers, FFC has created a fuel cell that runs successfully on hydrocarbon fuels ranging from propane and butane to gasoline and diesel, while also capable of running on ethanol and hydrogen.
As John Law, FFC's CEO points out, "The Franklin Solid Oxide Fuel Cell represents an American-Grown technology that leverages American-Grown bio-renewable fuels, operating continuously under conditions that contaminate or shut-down other fuel cells."
FFC's success in employing bio-renewable energy sources derived from agricultural products rather than fossil fuels, represents a welcome shift in towards Homeland Security and away from dependence on foreign oil.
Evidence of the growing commercial viability of FFC's technology is last month's awarding of multi-year contract to FFC by the US Navy. Under the new agreement, FFC will be developing the technology to provide power to a new fleet of all-electric combat ships with a distributed network of power generators.
With last week's tests on ethanol producing power densities approaching 400 milli-watts per cm2, at 0.7 volts, for test periods in excess of 100 hours each, and with recent gasoline and diesel tests producing similar results, FFC is setting the stage for the design and fabrication of solid oxide fuel cells with target efficiencies in the mid 50% range.
Background:
With 10 full-time employees, FFC occupies a new development and test facility in Malvern, Pennsylvania. This facility houses 28 single cell test stations, each with the ability to operate directly on liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon and bio-renewable fuels concurrently.
FFC's proprietary, copper-based, SOFC technology was initially developed by a team of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania. Their invention allows readily available fuels such as gasoline, diesel, naptha, and natural gas to be used to generate power in fuel cell systems with higher efficiency and significantly lower cost.
FFC's solid oxide fuel cell technology offers significant, competitive advantages for modular power systems in a potential wide range of applications from 1 kW to greater than 250 kW Independent market researchers have estimated the total global market potential for solid oxide fuel cell technology to be approximately $22 billion by the year 2010. The global market is expected to grow at approximately 7% annually.
FFC's portfolio of intellectual property includes 6 issued U.S. patents,
6 published U.S. patents applications, 24 U.S. and foreign patent applications, and 13 invention disclosures.
For more information, contact John Law at (610) 640-7545 or visit the company's website at www.franklinfuelcells.com
MEDIA CONTACT: Pat O'Connor
PHONE: 610-636-5805
E-MAIL: pat.oconnor@pocmedia.com