Blog

The GenCell Advantage

Shelli Zargary
December 1, 2018

THE KNOW-HOW & EXPERTISE

Our team of more than 150 employees includes PhDs in Chemistry, Physics, Energy and Mathematics from the top universities in the USA, Russia and Israel. Collectively they have been developing innovative technologies for nearly three generations. Decades worth of experience and the latest techniques and energy of the Israel army provide the winning formula that drives us to provide affordable, clean energy for off-grid and poor-grid telecom, rural electrification and mission-critical backup.

ALKALINE FUEL CELLS

Alkaline fuel cell (AFC) technology was developed in 1959 by Francis Thomas Bacon. Using an alkaline electrolyte such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) in water and cathodes usually made with platinum, AFCs are among the most efficient type of fuel cells, reaching up to 60% efficiency (up to 87% combined heat and power). Alkaline fuel cells also offer virtually instant operation without pre-heating, even at sub-zero temperatures and were used by the NASA and MIR space programs to produce electricity and drinking water for their space missions.

PATENTED TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE CAPEX & OPEX

GenCell developed a number of patented technologies to reduce the capex and opex of our fuel-cell power solutions, including the use of a non-platinum catalyst, mechanisms for using ambient air as an oxidizer, and using lower-cost fuels such as industrial-grade hydrogen gas or anhydrous liquid ammonia. These technology breakthroughs overcome the obstacles that have historically prevented the mainstream adoption of fuel cells. GenCell’s solutions operate in varying backup application and utility substations.

BUSTING THE MYTH OF CO2 CONTAMINATION

In the past, some have speculated that carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air intake degrades the performance of the alkaline electrolyte and requires it to be frequently replaced. Our patented know-how utilizes a simple, effective and inexpensive carbon dioxide scrubbing technology to deliver a technological breakthrough that enables our alkaline fuel cell systems to use ambient air everywhere containing both oxygen and CO2—instead of pure oxygen.

EXTREME WEATHER PERFORMANCE

GenCell alkaline fuel cell solutions use a liquid electrolyte (KOH) and have a freezing temperature of -40°C (-40°F) enabling them to rapidly start in both warm and sub-freezing conditions. This contrasts with PEM and other membrane fuel cells that hydrate their membranes with water and need to operate above 0°C (32°F) or be placed in a heated and insulated enclosure. GenCell’s liquid electrolyte also avoids the challenges of membrane humidification and can operate in a greater range of temperature and humidity conditions.

USES HYDROGEN & AMMONIA FUEL

GenCell offers alkaline fuel cell (AFC) technology, the only fuel cell technology with the chemistry and robustness that can utilize hydrogen produced from cracking ammonia. Other low temperature fuel cells cannot do this without very costly filters. Ammonia is one of the most commonly produced inorganic chemicals in the world and is readily available in almost every part of the world. Liquid ammonia is an excellent carrier of hydrogen for the GenCell fuel cell generator and gives it significant competitive advantages over other fuel cell solutions.

THE GENCELL ADVANTAGE DIESEL GENERATORS BATTERIES PEM FUEL CELLS GENCELL (AFC SYSTEM)
Applications
  • Backup
  • Stationary
  • Mobile
  • Backup
  • Transportation
  • Mobile
  • Backup
  • Transportation
  • Mobile
  • Off-Grid
  • Backup
  • Stationary
Energy Efficiency 20-30% 80% 50-60% direct hydrogen;
35% reformed fuel
60% direct hydrogen
Reliability Medium-high Very high High High
Temperature Resistance -40ᵒc to +45ᵒc Narrow optimal temperature range -20ᵒc to +40ᵒc -40ᵒc to +45ᵒc
Humidity Resistance Low Low Low High
Catalyst n/a n/a Platinum-based Platinum-free
Maintenance Frequent oil changes & tune-ups Depends on battery type Annual Annual
Lifespan 10 years Up to 10 years 15 years 15 years
Startup Time Immediate with battery bank Immediate Immediate with energy bridge Immediate with energy bridge
Sustainability / Eco- Friendliness Low (Emissions + noise) Medium-high Medium-high water vapor emission with hydrogen
(+CO2 emissions with hydrocarbon reformer)
High vapor emission with hydrogen
(+N2 emissions with ammonia cracker)
Fuel Type (gas) n/a n/a Medical-grade Hydrogen (99.995%) Industrial-grade Hydrogen (99.95%)
Fuel Type (liquid) Diesel n/a Methanol-water (Undetectable & highly toxic) Ammonia (Detectable & may be harmful)
Run Time Duration Unlimited as long as fuel is supplied Limited by battery bank capacity Unlimited as long as fuel is supplied Unlimited as long as fuel is supplied
Fuel Theft Risk High n/a
  • Very low (hydrogen)
  • Medium (methanol)
  • Very low (hydrogen)
  • Very low (ammonia)

—Welcome to the new gold standard for a sustainable energy future.

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