Catalytica Advanced Technologies and McDermott Technology, Inc. Receive California Energy Commission Award
14 September 1998
Catalytica Advanced Technologies and McDermott Technology, Inc. Receive California Energy Commission Award
ALLIANCE, Ohio--Sept. 14, 1998--Catalytica Advanced Technologies (Catalytica) in Mountain View, California, and McDermott Technology, Inc. (MTI) in Alliance, Ohio, have been selected by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop a gasoline desulfurizer for fuel cell powered vehicles.The desulfurizer is an important component of a technology package to enable conversion (fuel reforming) of commercially available gasoline into hydrogen for use in fuel cells for transportation applications. The project selection was in response to CEC's TETAP (Transportation Energy Technologies Advancement Program) solicitation.
Catalytica and McDermott Technology, Inc. have recently signed a cooperative agreement to work in a number of fuel processing areas including gasoline reforming for applications in automotive applications and natural gas reforming for use in stationary power applications of fuel cells.
Norman R. Smith, president and chief executive officer of Catalytica Advanced Technologies, noted that this new agreement will enable the team to take advantage of the unique combination of catalytic research and technology expertise of Catalytica. "We are pleased to be working with McDermott Technology on this new program for a compact fuel processor. This new multi-year initiative takes advantage of our growing capabilities in catalytic processing, especially reforming and combustion technology."
McDermott Technology, Inc., working with Ceramatec in a joint venture company named SOFCo, has been developing compact fuel cell systems operating on natural gas and liquid fuels for the power generation industry and the military since 1994. In 1997, MTI expanded its fuel processor development to include gasoline processing for automotive markets. Under the Catalytica/MTI agreement, Catalytica Advanced Technologies will provide expertise in catalysis and systems design.
"The Catalytica technology will be valuable in accelerating the development and commercialization of compact, low-cost fuel processors for fuel cell applications," stated Rodger McKain, vice president, MTI. Such applications will include transportation, stationary, mobile, military, and remote power fueled by gasoline, diesel, military logistic fuel, and natural gas.
Fuel cell systems generate electricity and heat from an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, eliminating the combustion process. The compact fuel processors are used to convert a variety of fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel, or natural gas into a suitable hydrogen-rich gas for use by the fuel cell. The benefits of fuel cell systems include substantially lower emissions than other power generation technologies, compact size, high-energy efficiency, quiet operation, and a potential for low-cost, high-volume manufacturing.
Catalytica Advanced Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Catalytica, Inc. , researches and develops new applications of specialty catalysts for the improvement and enhancement of industrial processes. Find Catalytica Advanced Technologies on the World Wide Web at http://www.catalytica-inc.com.
McDermott Technology, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Babcock & Wilcox Company; both are operating units of McDermott International, Inc. , a leading worldwide energy services company. McDermott and its subsidiaries manufacture steam-generating equipment, environmental equipment, and products for the U.S. government. They also provide engineering and construction services to industrial, utility, and hydrocarbon processing facilities, and to the offshore oil and natural gas industries. McDermott Technology, Inc. is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.mtiresearch.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding McDermott's and Catalytica's future development and operation of the research program and the product's competitive position in its markets. These statements involve risks and uncertainty, including without limitation, the ability to complete the research program, development of a viable product, the ability to perform cost-effectively and in a timely manner, product development delays, and changes in the company's competitive position.
For additional information, contact:
Roseann Taylor
Manager, Administration and Human Resources
McDermott Technology, Inc.
Phone: 330-829-7487
e-mail: roseann.taylor@mcdermott.com
www.mtiresearch.com