Delphi and Global Thermoelectric Successfully New Fuel System
23 December 1999
Delphi Automotive Systems and Global Thermoelectric Successfully Test Integrated Gasoline-Fueled Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Power Generation SystemFLINT, Mich. and CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 22 -- Delphi Automotive Systems and Global Thermoelectric Inc. (Toronto: GLE) announced today that they have successfully tested an integrated solid-oxide fuel cell system running on automotive gasoline. The system incorporates a new gasoline reformer designed and built by Delphi together with solid-oxide fuel cell stack components from Global. The Delphi reformer is a cost-effective, compact device that changes gasoline into a stream of gases that are fed directly into the Global fuel cell stack. The stack combines the gases with oxygen from the air to produce electricity directly. "The successful testing of this integrated system is a significant event in progress toward an economically viable fuel cell system that will use commonly available fuel for automotive applications," said Dr. Jean Botti, director of Delphi Energy & Engine Management Systems' Customer Solution Center. Global's President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Perry added that, "By coupling the Delphi reformer with our stack, efficiency is greatly enhanced compared with those systems that require complex fuel processing before the gases can be used in a fuel cell stack." Delphi Automotive Systems, with headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, is a world leader in automotive component and systems technology. Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal & Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communications -- provide comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately 201,000 employees and operates 168 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 38 joint ventures, 51 customer centers and sales offices, and 27 technical centers in 37 countries. Regional headquarters are located in Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Delphi can be found on the Internet at http://www.delphiauto.com . Global Thermoelectric Inc. is the world's largest supplier of thermoelectric power generation equipment for use in remote locations, and produces crew compartment heaters for use in tracked military vehicles. The Calgary-based company has also become a world leader in the fuel cell development industry.