Nedstack PEM fuel cells will generate electricity for Solvay’s chlorine plant in Lillo (near Antwerp). This PEM Power Plant, with a 1 MW capacity delivered by 12,600 fuel cell stacks, is the largest of this type in the world. The PEM Power Plant converts hydrogen, a by-product in the chlorine industry, into electricity and heat.

This application is part of the European funded “Hydrogen Region Flanders-South Netherlands”  project coordinated by WaterstofNet. The project was approved within the INTERREG IV Programme (a European program for cooperation) with a budget of 14 million euros.

On 27th July 2011  the 1 MW PEM Power Plant was transported by low loader truck from Arnhem to Antwerp. It will be operational by September of this year.

Chlorine and caustic soda production are highly energy-intensive industries. Nedstack’s PEM Power Plant enables them to self-generate 20% of their total electricity consumption. Next to 1 MW of electricity, the Power Plant also generates 1 MW of heat, to be reused in the production process for significant additional cost savings. In addition, PEM fuel cells are emission-free. With PEM Power Plants, the industry significantly contributes to meeting the European targets to reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Nedstack commissioned MTSA in Arnhem to build the Power Plant. In 2007, Nedstack built a smaller model, with a capacity of 70 kW, for AkzoNobel in Delfzijl. Nedstack fuel cells have recently reached 10,000 hours of continuous operation and are expected to last 20,000 hours in total. The Akzo Power Plant, which has been in operation for four years now, requires minimum maintenance and is monitored at a distance by Nedstack.

 

Source: Fuel Cell Today