Palcan Fuel Cells Ltd. (Burnaby, BC) has signed an agreement with Clean Fuel Generation LLC (Los Angeles, CA) to jointly develop fuel-cell-based auxiliary power units (APU), which will combine Palcan's fuel cell module with Clean Fuel's reformer technology and hydrogen purification systems to allow the use of propane or methanol fuel storage systems. Applications include auxiliary power for recreational vehicles, and marine and highway trucks.
The first stage of the program involves the purchase of a Palcan fuel cell module to be integrated by Clean Fuel with their system at their California facilities. Initial system trials will be followed by full system demonstrations on a recreational vehicle. The system will operate off the vehicles existing propane storage tanks and will provide hot water and space heating for the vehicle (co-generation), utilizing both the electrical and heat outputs of the fuel cell system for added efficiency. The use of an existing fuel (propane) to power a fuel cell system will give the RV owner all the benefits of fuel cell technology (i.e., quiet operation, higher efficiency, and co-generation).
