Air Products Makes Compression-less Retail Hydrogen Fueling Station a Reality

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD) research in hydrogen storage has led to a "compression-less hydrogen fueling station" featuring specialized composite cylinders.  This composite storage advancement, developed through joint work and an exclusive supply agreement with Structural Composites Industries, LLC (SCI), significantly lowers the cost of dispensing gaseous hydrogen and fueling station infrastructure by eliminating the need for on-site hydrogen compression.  Air Products will launch its first retail compression-less station in 2010 at a location to be announced as part of its California initiative.

The key to the cost effective "compression-less hydrogen fueling station" is a composite pressure vessel (CPV) trailer.  The CPV trailer is connected directly to the fuel dispensing unit, making the delivery vehicle an integrated part of the fueling station.  The proprietary and certified CPVs are an industry advancement and allow for gaseous hydrogen delivery in greater quantities depending on hydrogen demand.  The CPV concept transports hydrogen for fueling at well over 350 bar/5,000 psi and, importantly, can be reliably increased at a station for 700 bar/10,000 psi hydrogen vehicles with greater flexibility and at lesser cost through this advancement.  

"This new, low cost concept is game changing technology. It allows hydrogen fueling to be placed on most existing gasoline forecourts thus potentially eliminating the infrastructure issue," said Ed Kiczek, global director - Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products.  "CPV hydrogen delivery becomes more similar to traditional fuels and can mirror the gasoline model.  Decreased cost factors including infrastructure, delivery and dispensing of gaseous hydrogen will lower the price tag for hydrogen as an alternative fuel and make it competitive with traditional fuels."  

John Coursen, product manager at SCI said, "SCI's expertise in storage materials combined with Air Products' hydrogen experience was critical to solving this infrastructure concern. We continue to work with Air Products to extend the technology capabilities and commercialize these products globally."

The composite storage and CPV trailer can also be paired to develop and support hydrogen ground storage at retail stations much like the current gasoline model.  Air Products has several station concepts incorporating modular and expandable CPV technology and has developed an entire portfolio of global patents and additional patents pending related to the compression-less advancement.  Details on Air Products' hydrogen fueling station technologies are at www.airproducts.com/h2energy.

"When combined with Air Products' patented dual liquid and gaseous hydrogen delivery trailer introduced last year, the system portfolio offers unprecedented value in cost and reliability of supply," said Kiczek.

The CPV technology is best positioned to take advantage of low cost gaseous hydrogen supply from large hydrogen production plants, pipelines, off-gas hydrogen and renewable sources, and existing liquid hydrogen supply networks serving industrial gas markets.  Beyond hydrogen powered transportation vehicles, this application also may offer significant advantages for the material handling and mass transit markets.

Air Products, the leading hydrogen supplier to refineries to assist in making cleaner burning transportation fuels, has unique experience in the hydrogen fueling industry.  These varied fueling applications provide an opportunity to assess consumer experiences, evaluate product performance and advance product improvements.  In fact, in certain market applications, fueling rates at several individual sites of over 10,000 refills per year are occurring.   The company has placed over 120 hydrogen fueling stations in the United States and 18 countries worldwide.  Cars, trucks, vans, buses, scooters, forklifts, locomotives, planes, cell towers, material handling equipment, and even submarines have been fueled with Air Products' trend-setting technologies that involve Air Products' know-how, equipment and hydrogen.  Use of the company's technology is increasing and is currently at 200,000 hydrogen fills per year. 

Air Products has more than 50 years of hydrogen experience and is on the forefront of hydrogen energy technology development.  Air Products has an extensive patent portfolio with over 50 patents in hydrogen dispensing technology.  Air Products provides liquid and gaseous hydrogen, and HCNG (hydrogen/compressed natural gas) fueling, and has developed 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, 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) serves customers in industrial, energy, technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services.  Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives.  The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment.  In fiscal 2009, Air Products had revenues of $8.3 billion, operations in over 40 countries, and 18,900 employees around the globe.  For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

About Structural Composites Industries LLC

Structural Composite Industries is subsidiary company of Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WOR) and is a manufacturer of composite pressure vessels for use in the aerospace, commercial aviation, natural gas vehicle, hydrogen vehicle, and bulk gas transport industries.  SCI and its predecessor companies have manufactured over 3.8 million composite pressure vessels since 1957.  For more information, visit www.worthingtonindustries.com.

***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.

SOURCE Air Products