GreenVOLT Announces the Refcell Reverse Fuel Cell
GreenVOLT Power (GVLT, Canada) announced its new Refcell, a reverse fuel cell that can be energized by wind or photovoltaic power sources to split water into its component gasses. GVLT reports that its Refcell can be used to supply the hydrogen needed to fuel other fuel cells.
GVLT’s Refcell is claimed to require 20 percent less electrical energy than equivalent devices, while being six to nine time smaller. The company further maintains that Refcell is explosion-proof, uses no alkali or asbestos and requires only distilled water to produce 99.5-percent pure hydrogen and oxygen.
The Refcell can be used to provide oxygen for laboratory and basic research, medical and hospital applications, altitude chambers, space vehicles and submersibles. It can supply hydrogen for scientific research, production of ceramic components, hydrogen welding and more. Additional uses involving simultaneous supply of hydrogen and oxygen include storage of surplus energy generated by solar panels and/or wind propeller-driven generators.
The Refcell comes in three different sizes. Smallest of the three is the Ref-25, which can deliver up to 100 liters per hour of hydrogen and up to 50 liters per hour of oxygen. The Ref-500 delivers up to 2,500 liters per hour of hydrogen and up to 1,250 per hour of oxygen. The largest version is the Ref-1700, with delivery capability of up to 100,000 liters per hour of hydrogen and up to 50,000 liters per hour of oxygen.
“After studying a number of hydrogen- and oxygen-producing technologies, we believe we have settled on the best solution,” stated Thomas Faul, president and CEO of GVLT. “It is less costly, and it is proven, compact, light, competitively priced, and available now. We have a simple and immediate fuel supply for our alkaline fuel cells as well as for most other types of fuel cells.”
