A 250-kiloWatt plant will be installed in Norway and operated by Norske Shell to demonstrate that the carbon dioxide normally emitted in exhaust gases can be successfully recovered at low additional cost and with highest electrical efficiency of any fuel cell type in the industry.

The technology being used is the result of a unique combination of the fuel cell developed by Siemens Westinghouse and carbon dioxide recovery technology from Shell Hydrogen. Both companies signed a co-operative development agreement last year to develop and market this technology.

The intention is that this technology will be used to generate electricity from natural gas with all carbon dioxide being ‘captured.’ In the oil and gas industry, the carbon dioxide can then be sequestered in underground reservoirs. Smaller scale markets for carbon dioxide can also be served; for example, special applications such as fish farms to enhance the growth of algae or agricultural greenhouses to enhance the growth of crops. An additional benefit of this technology is that at less than 0.5 ppm nitrogen oxide emissions are extremely low compared to other power generation technologies.

One of the early applications is likely to be offshore oil and gas operations as they require huge amounts of electricity and currently emit the greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. This is particularly important in Norway where 20% of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions come from its offshore activities.

"This new way of generating zero emission power offers great promise," said Don Huberts, Chief Executive Officer of Shell Hydrogen. "And we are pleased to demonstrate this in Norway, one of the world’s leading countries aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

Norske Shell has already stated its intention to use such technologies in its offshore operations as a means of meeting national targets aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The company is also actively investigating the possibility of utilising the high purity carbon dioxide produced in this project to support a fish farm project.

"This program is an excellent example of how our SOFC technology can be used for even greater environmental benefit than has already been demonstrated", said Nick Bartol, of Siemens Westinghouse. "This program will give future power generators a climate friendly option that is not currently available."

For test purposes this first demonstration unit will be placed onshore. Siemens Westinghouse is developing SOFCs under an existing cooperative agreement with the US Department of Energy, administered by the National Energy Research Laboratory.

http://www.siemens.de/kwu/e/news/norway.htm

GLE's fuel cell page refers to Westinghouse ...

'At these mid range temperatures, suitable and moderately priced chromium containing alloys can be used. Within this temperature range, long term operation is much improved although there may still be some longer term degradation due to oxidation of the metal interconnects. A significant advantage of the SOFC is that it does not need an external reformer or 'mini-refinery' to make hydrogen. Instead, due to the higher operating temperature, hydrogen is produced directly through a catalytic reforming process either directly inside the cell or external to the cell in the hot zone. Carbon monoxide, a contaminant in the PEM systems is a fuel for the SOFC.

This direct reforming has enormous implications for market applications. First, SOFCs can be utilized anywhere natural gas, propane, etc. is available. There is no need for a hydrogen infrastructure to be in place. When utilized in stationary applications, the SOFC excels. The higher fuel efficiency of 60% combined with the high grade heat makes it an extremely efficient overall system. Combined cycle efficiencies of over 80% are attainable. Many stationary applications can use the heat for boiler/water heating or space heating. A tubular design SOFC is being developed by Westinghouse. Although this is a good system, it is designed for very large stationary plants in the mega watt range and therefore will not be discussed here.'