Hydrogen Engine Center, Inc. Founder Discusses Anhydrous Ammonia Engine

ALGONA, Iowa--On Tuesday, October 10, 2006, the President of Hydrogen Engine Center, Inc. (HEC), Ted Hollinger, outlined the company’s progress on the first ammonia-fueled internal combustion engine being designed for wide commercial sales. Hollinger’s presentation was part of the two day Ammonia Conference hosted by the Iowa Energy Center in Golden, Colorado.

During his 40 minute appearance, Hollinger mapped the foundation and rationale for the entrance of HEC’s ammonia engine into commercial and power-generation markets. In addition to existing ammonia storage tanks and infrastructure, he noted that ammonia transportation and handling is already addressed by DOT regulations with equipment and safety requirements well established. The priority of the Hydrogen Engine Center development team is to lower consumption of fuel and at the same time produce economical, pollution-free power.

Hollinger also addressed the company’s mission from day one to produce saleable products instead of focusing solely on research and development. “Because the manufacture and distribution of ammonia fuel is already in place, we are able to develop technology and offer engines and gensets that utilize ammonia as a clean and efficient fuel source.” Hollinger continued, “The Hydrogen Engine Center is now in the final preparation stage for testing our proprietary ammonia-powered engines. It’s a very exciting time for us at the company.”

During his presentation, Hollinger reviewed several slides showing the prototype engine and the engineering advancements necessary to produce power from anhydrous ammonia. HEC projects their ammonia-fueled engines will produce 2.33 times more horsepower than a gasoline-fueled engine and plan to have finalized systems ready for sale in 2008.

“Ted Hollinger’s presentation was one of the highlights of the conference. If the Hydrogen Engine Center ammonia fueled commercial internal combustion engines are as high in efficiency (50%) as Ted Hollinger indicates, it will be difficult for fuel cells to compete,” commented Norm Olsen, P.E., Manager of Iowa State University’s BECON (Biomass Energy Conversion) Facility in Nevada, IA.

HEC is participating in the upcoming Power-Gen International Conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida November 28-30, 2006. The company’s executives will be available to discuss all of the pollution-free engines that are currently available as well as engines that are currently in development. Products scheduled for display at booth #1639 include the 4.9L turbo-charged hydrogen generator power unit, 4.9L open power unit, 2.4L Mini-Oxx™ and 1.6L 2 cylinder engine.