Air Products Introduces Advanced Retail Hydrogen Fuel Dispenser

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD), the worldwide leader in hydrogen fueling technology, announced today another innovation and step forward in this developing market with the introduction of its advanced consumer-friendly retail hydrogen fuel dispenser.  The new Air Products offering is the market's first fully-integrated retail hydrogen dispenser, mirrors traditional consumer gasoline fueling and payment practices, and is readily available to meet consumer expectations of refilling hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles in a safe, fast, reliable, and familiar manner. 

"There is a direct benefit in consumer acceptance of new technology in making the hydrogen fueling experience similar to the traditional vehicle fueling experience.  Air Products adapted all the consumer features and capabilities of a retail gasoline dispenser into our newest hydrogen fuel dispensing equipment," said Brian Bonner, global product manager for Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products. "Our extensive experience in hydrogen supply and our exclusive relationship with an industry-leader of fuel dispensing equipment, has led to both unique innovations involving hydrogen dispensing technology and a superior level of safety that is built into the advanced hydrogen dispenser."

Air Products worked closely with Bennett Pump Company, a leading manufacturer of fuel dispensing equipment, in developing the advanced hydrogen fuel dispenser which benefits from the combination of Air Products' vast hydrogen market experience and Bennett's extensive background in engineering and manufacturing consumer and retail fuel dispensing products.  This advanced technology will be immediately incorporated into 10 new fueling stations to be built by Air Products in California starting in 2013. The dispenser's attractive design and user interface provides the same look, feel, and payment options as a traditional gasoline dispenser, and may be integrated into any existing retail point of sale system.

"I am extremely pleased with the end product resulting from the combined expertise of our two organizations," comments Tom Thompson, president of Bennett Pump. "We are excited to be on the leading edge pioneering hydrogen refueling technology alongside a company such as Air Products, where the shared vision and emphasis on safety and quality are unparalleled." 

The hydrogen fuel dispensing equipment, based partially on Bennett's Pacific Series product, includes SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)-certified dispensing components, proprietary hydrogen fueling protocols, as well as  the ability to meet SAE's "J2601" fueling requirements. Built on Air Products' foundation of over 15 years of continuous development and testing, the dispenser is equipped with a consumer-friendly training interface, the latest Hydrogen Vehicle Authorization System to provide identification of the type of vehicle being fueled at the dispenser, and in many areas exceeds applicable safety code requirements.

Air Products, the leading global supplier of hydrogen to refineries to assist in producing cleaner burning transportation fuels, has vast experience in the hydrogen fueling industry. In fact, several sites today for certain hydrogen fueling applications are fueling at rates of over 75,000 refills per year. Use of the company's fueling technology is increasing and is over 700,000 hydrogen fills per year. The company has been involved in over 150 hydrogen fueling projects in the United States and 20 countries worldwide. Cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts, locomotives, planes, cell towers, material handling equipment, and even submarines have been fueled with trend-setting Air Products' technologies.

Air Products has more than 50 years of hydrogen experience and an extensive patent portfolio in hydrogen dispensing technology. Air Products provides liquid and gaseous hydrogen and a variety of enabling devices and protocols for fuel dispensing at varied pressures. Hydrogen for these stations can be delivered to a site via truck or pipeline, produced by natural gas reformation, biomass conversion, or by electrolysis, including electrolysis that is solar and wind driven.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE:APD) provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 20,000 employees in over 50 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2012, Air Products had sales approaching $10 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

About Bennett Pump Company

Spring Lake, Michigan based Bennett Pump Company is a leader in engineering and manufacturing of fuel dispensing and integrated payment systems technology for retail and commercial applications including both traditional and alternative fuels.   The company has been in operation since 1919 and currently does business in more than 90 countries around the world.  For more information, visit www.bennettpump.com.

NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company's Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

SOURCE Air Products