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<br /> Ten state companies make components
<br /> 4
<br /> Minnesota's fuel cell _,, :,. , , A,,,_=1 ,,,:
<br /> industry
<br /> ! % 4$ a Fa , R • r< &q�� �� t
<br /> Ix
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<br /> Minnesota could become a major hydrogen gas used to power fuel cells. : _ ,r,-:.:.;%,,,,,,,,21.- y j i�
<br /> player in the rapidly emerging fuel Cummins Power Generation, 4 i i
<br /> cell industry. E ;
<br /> Minneapolis,designs and
<br /> The sector is so young that the state manufactures power generation r i
<br /> does not yet collect employment or equipment. I E i' -`' ; ` x lc.
<br /> „4,,,,
<br /> sales statistics on it.However,at least ,,. t # -,.,_,, ,,
<br /> 10 Minnesota companies are now
<br /> Donaldson Company,Minneapolis, -- ;rte
<br /> makes filtration systems for fuel cells. t°
<br /> making products for fuel cells,says i„# ® xi r a -I, i ` ,,, - tk t
<br /> Linda Lirnback,research coordinator Entegris,Chaska,supplies materials 1 � ^ {i r '
<br /> at the State Energy Office. for the microelectronics and fuels i
<br /> '4.44
<br /> cell industries.In August,Entegris -P,'"--,, .. ^
<br /> These businesses are investing §
<br /> installed Minnesota's first multi- 4 i i
<br /> significant dollars in research and it
<br /> kilowatt,stationary fuel cell at its I
<br /> development of fuel cell technology,
<br /> t f �g'.,
<br /> Chaska plant. -- �--
<br /> and many are partnering with federalJON "
<br /> agencies,she says. ICM Plastics,Rogers,makes x A - 'i g
<br /> bipolar plates for proton exchange r� " , i
<br /> Minneapolis-based Cummins Power ,.____-~~ , ,„,
<br /> membrane fuel cells. - i��r
<br /> Generation,for example,has been , a4r 3�k t�, x '� � « , �
<br /> awarded a$75 million grant from Phillips&Temro Industries,Eden * ,* s '; � ` g T
<br /> the U.S.Department of Energy to Prairie,makes cold-weather engine , . -. - tr l l' 1
<br /> Yak 7, +6mC "; +� �,�! * 4 �, Y - # 1 c 3..
<br /> develop an affordable, 10 kilowatt components,products for preheating ,� .; v
<br /> modular solid oxide fuel cell. fuel cells,and fuel cell load banks. :'_
<br /> Another Minneapolis manufacturer, 6
<br /> ,J1" escom,Inc.,Elk River,makes s i
<br /> Donaldson Company,has worked :,,
<br /> with the Los Alamos National pressure regulators,valves and other
<br /> Laboratory to develop filtration
<br /> controls used in fuel cells.
<br /> systems that prolong fuel cell life. TSI,Shoreview,makes air and gas 4, 3Y
<br /> Although no Minnesota companies flow measuring sensors and controls
<br /> used in fuel cells.■ ,
<br /> manufacture complete fuel cells, "; -''' - 'fir t1 "
<br /> local companies do produce a wide Source:Minnesota Office of Environmental �14 �-
<br /> range of fuel cell parts,from sensors Assistance '
<br /> to membranes to fuel purification Iti 1959p Allis-Chalmers harnessed a These cells converted propane and oxygen
<br /> systems.Among the state leaders: century-old technology torts directly into electricity without combustion, usi
<br /> 3M,St.Taul,a leading manufacturer power a tractor with no moving engine pa , no a chemical reaction first demonstrated in 1838
<br /> of proton exchange membranes for exhaust, no noise and twice the fuel efficiency of by the English scientist William Grove.The Allis
<br /> fuel cells. any other tractor made. Chalmers fuel cell array generated 15 kilowatts
<br /> The experimental tractor is now on display at the of current,which ran a 20-horsepower electric
<br /> Atmosphere Recovery,Inc., motor that propelled the 5,300-pound tractor
<br /> Plymouth,makes sensors and McLeod County Historical Museum in Hutchinson. plus a multibottom plow.■
<br /> controls for monitoring the purity ofor
<br /> It was powered by 1,008 individual fuel cells.
<br /> Community powered
<br /> AURI is helping rural communities analyze the economics of anaerobic digesters
<br /> BY DAN LEMKE assessment for producers and communities to see if they "No one component is going to make it work,"Sparby says.
<br /> Is it economical for Minnesota communities to turn waste into have the resources for a community facility using municipal "It's a matter of matching up technical issues such as locative
<br /> power?AURI now has a tool to help find the answer. and agricultural sources,"says Michael Sparby,AURI project and supply of feedstocks with the economics of the project.
<br /> development director."Products that were once thought of as That includes things like construction costs and if you can
<br /> Anaerobic digesters that break down agricultural and waste are now being looked at as a resource." obtain a purchased power agreement."
<br /> food processing wastes to produce energy may benefit Anaerobic digesters use bacteria to break down solid wastes. "This tool helps put the puzzle together.If the pieces aren't
<br /> municipalities as well as farms.Minnesota livestock facilities As a result,the bacteria give off methane gas that can be all there,then you've saved a lot of time and effort.If they arc
<br /> are closely monitored for potential environmental impact captured and used for heat or electrical generation.The then maybe it's worth pursuing further."
<br /> from odors and from nutrients in surface and ground waters. treated solid waste is then safe for land application or other
<br /> Food processors pay fees to dispose of waste though regulated Sparby stresses the report is not designed for any particular
<br /> uses.Since digesters operate most efficiently with a high
<br /> land applications or sewer systems. community.However,Perham,Minn.is considering a digest!
<br /> volume of solids,mixing manure with food processing wastes and a system in Oregon has already started operating.
<br /> To help communities and producers determine if a jointly- can take the pressure off municipal systems and improve
<br /> powered digester is feasible,AURI has produced a self digester operations.The assessment calculates the size For a copy of the self assessment guide,contact Michael Sparh
<br /> assessment booklet:The Appropriateness of a Community and proximity of livestock and food-processing facilities to at AURI:(320)589-7280.II
<br /> Manure Food Waste Digestion System."This is really a pre- determine if enough waste is available.
<br /> PAGE 10 AURI AG INNOVATION NEWS•JAN-MAR 2004 Visit our Web site at www.auri.orf
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