Linc Energy will test the Alpha Fuel Cell System using a single membrane gas separation process upon the UCG gas to ensure a satisfactory hydrogen mix feed gas is available for the system.
The Alpha Fuel Cell System is being developed as a low cost, easy to maintain, mass-manufactured unit that can be installed in modular blocks. Linc Energy has said that the current design intention is for several Fuel Cell containers to provide from 400-500 megawatts of power generation.
If the tests are successful, it would be possible to install the fuel cells on UCG fields and pipe UCG gas a short distance to power the cells.
Linc Energy Chief Executive Peter Bond said “It makes infinite sense to marry the cleanest power generation technology with the cleanest gasification technology.”?
Linc Energy anticipates commencing testing of the system at Chinchilla by mid-April 2010. Once the 3.5 kilowatt (kW) Alpha Fuel Cell System has been proven to successfully operate on hydrogen produced from UCG, the next step towards commercialisation will be the testing of a 50 kW unit by Linc Energy in early 2011.
If successful, the first commercial fuel cell power station would be ready for delivery by late 2012.