From: Spudboy100@aol.com
Date: Sat Apr 26 2003 - 13:15:26 MDT
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie.....Propane!
http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203~21481~1348578,00.html
University unveils propane fuel cell
System to power RVs called a breakthrough
By <A HREF="mailto:jason.newell@dailybulletin.com">JASON NEWELL
STAFF WRITER</A>
LA VERNE — Scientists at the University of La Verne on Thursday unveiled a
"first of its kind" technological innovation that converts propane into
electric power without polluting or causing noise.
The propane fuel cell system, intended for initial use in recreational
vehicles, can generate up to 30 kilowatts of electric power with as much as
five times the efficiency of other electricity generators.
"At this point, as far as we know, nobody else has a propane unit that can
produce 5 to 20 kilowatts with no detectable impurity," said Dr. Iraj
Parchamazad, chairman of the Chemistry Department at the University of La
Verne, who spearheaded the research.
A presentation of the fuel cell system was made Thursday at the university by
Clean Fuel Generation, LLC., a company co-founded by Parchamazad and Nick
Ballinger, a ULV graduate and RV industry expert.
The company says the technology is ideal for the demands of RV owners because
it provides ample power to run various appliances inside a motor home while
using less fuel and without making any noise.
Typical generators create a great deal of noise and vibration, said Ben
Ballinger, a representative for Leisure Time Marketing and Nick Ballinger's
brother. Noise restrictions at National Parks prevent many RVers from using
these generators at night, leaving them without the use of air conditioning
or other appliances.
"This gives them the power they need, and they can still sleep," Ben
Ballinger said.
While the fuel cell is operating, it also gives off heat that can be used for
a water heater or provide space heat inside the coach. The fuel cell's
chemical reactions also produce about a half-liter of distilled water per
hour, Nick Ballinger said.
The company's new technology takes propane, mixes it with water and converts
it into hydrogen, filtering out any pollutants in the process, Parchamazad
said. The fuel cell then transforms the hydrogen into electrical energy.
CFG unveiled a similar fuel cell system in 2001, using both propane and
methanol as fuels. The new technology is an improvement because propane is
readily available across the world, even in third world countries, while
methanol is more difficult to come by, Ben Ballinger said.
As soon as it can attract enough investors, the company plans to manufacture
and sell the fuel cell system to RV companies and owners.
"This is equivalent to what Henry Ford had before they went into production,"
said Ben Ballinger. "All it's going to take is a little bit of money to get
it out on the market."
In addition to use in RV's, the company and university also hope the
technology can be used to generate energy at hotels, businesses and beyond.
"We feel fuel cell technology can be and will be an important step toward a
sustainable society," said Dr. Bob Neher, chair of the ULV Natural Science
Division, noting its potential to reduce both pollution and the dependence on
foreign oil.
The company also hopes to get its hands on federal grant money for continued
research. In his January State of the Union address, President Bush proposed
$1.7 billion over the next five years for fuel cell development.
Jason Newell can be reached by e-mail <A HREF="mailto:jason.newell@dailybulletin.com">jason.newell@dailybulletin.com</A> or by
phone at (909) 483-9338
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