In addition, the reactor can be operated in such a manner to maximize the shift conversion of CO into CO2, liberating H2 from steam fed to the reactor. The system will be installed in a lightweight all aluminum Mercury Sable donated by Ford Motor Company. A coalition of educational institutions, technology firms and government agencies will be formed to design and retrofit the car, which will compete in the May 2000 Tour de Sol. The fuel is more than 50 percent water and renewable. The power plant, a demonstration project commissioned in March 1999, powers FCL's Danbury, Conn. facilities.
Excess electricity is delivered to the local electric utility grid.
The grid interface connection performed flawlessly throughout the demonstration and the power quality met industry standards. The plant has successfully operated more than 5,700 hours, with more than 4,300 hours at or greater than 200 kW. Stack power improved almost 10 percent over the previous model, according to the latest test results. Air pollution emissions are negligible and far below requirements under the Clean Air Standard. The fuel cell, which continues to operate, reached a maximum power of 263 kW, converting pipeline natural gas to electricity. The DaimlerChrysler AG subsidiary is planning to test fuel cell vehicles in Japan.