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2.28.23
VP Products Development
Our team of more than 80 employees includes 15 PhDs in Chemistry, Physics, Energy and Mathematics from the top universities in the USA, Russia and Israel. Collectively they have been developing innovative technologies for nearly three generations. Decades worth of experience and the latest techniques and energy of the Israel army provide the winning formula that drives us to provide affordable, clean energy for off-grid and poor-grid telecom, rural electrification and mission-critical backup.
Alkaline fuel cell (AFC) technology was developed in 1959 by Francis Thomas Bacon. Using an alkaline electrolyte such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) in water and cathodes usually made with platinum, AFCs are among the most efficient type of fuel cells, reaching up to 60% efficiency (up to 87% combined heat and power). Alkaline fuel cells also offer virtually instant operation without pre-heating, even at sub-zero temperatures and were used by the NASA and MIR space programs to produce electricity and drinking water for their space missions.
GenCell developed a number of patented technologies to reduce the capex and opex of our fuel-cell power solutions, including the use of a non-platinum catalyst, mechanisms for using ambient air as an oxidizer, and using lower-cost fuels such as industrial-grade hydrogen gas or anhydrous liquid ammonia. These technology breakthroughs overcome the obstacles that have historically prevented the mainstream adoption of fuel cells. GenCell’s solutions operate in varying backup application and utility substations.
In the past, some have speculated that carbon dioxide (CO2) in the air intake degrades the performance of the alkaline electrolyte and requires it to be frequently replaced. Our patented know-how utilizes a simple, effective and inexpensive carbon dioxide scrubbing technology to deliver a technological breakthrough that enables our alkaline fuel cell systems to use ambient air everywhere containing both oxygen and CO2—instead of pure oxygen.
GenCell alkaline fuel cell solutions use a liquid electrolyte (KOH) and have a freezing temperature of -40°C (-40°F) enabling them to rapidly start in both warm and sub-freezing conditions. This contrasts with PEM and other membrane fuel cells that hydrate their membranes with water and need to operate above 0°C (32°F) or be placed in a heated and insulated enclosure. GenCell’s liquid electrolyte also avoids the challenges of membrane humidification and can operate in a greater range of temperature and humidity conditions.
GenCell offers alkaline fuel cell (AFC) technology, the only fuel cell technology with the chemistry and robustness that can utilize hydrogen produced from cracking ammonia. Other low temperature fuel cells cannot do this without very costly filters. Ammonia is one of the most commonly produced inorganic chemicals in the world and is readily available in almost every part of the world. Liquid ammonia is an excellent carrier of hydrogen for the GenCell fuel cell generator and gives it significant competitive advantages over other fuel cell solutions.