SRI International Presents Novel Direct Carbon Fuel Cell Technology at Industry Event

MENLO PARK, Calif.– November 11, 2005 – SRI International, an independent nonprofit research and development organization, will share its expertise in clean power generation at the 2005 Fuel Cell Seminar at the Palm Springs Convention Center on Monday, November 14 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Drs. Iouri Balachov, SRI senior research engineer, and Lawrence Dubois, SRI vice president, will participate on a panel of distinguished researchers as part of the Direct Carbon Conversion Workshop. Workshop topics will include market opportunities, technical challenges and leading R&D efforts. At the workshop, Drs. Balachov and Dubois will introduce SRI's direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) technology to the fuel cell research community.

DCFCs convert the chemical energy in coal directly into electricity without the need for gasification. SRI's new DCFC technology has several potential benefits. It produces electricity at a competitive cost from a variety of fuels including coal, coke, tar, biomass and organic waste. In addition, it is two times more fuel-efficient than today's coal-fired power plants, resulting in reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The process produces almost pure carbon dioxide, which can be contained in a concentrated stream and easily captured for downstream use or disposal.

The United States, which has extensive coal reserves, will continue to use coal as its primary source of electricity for many years to come. However, today's coal-fired power plants convert coal into electricity with relatively low efficiency. In addition, coal is a source of toxic emissions, greenhouse gases and heavy metal pollutants when used in traditional combustion power plants. For the U.S. to achieve energy independence in an environmentally sustainable and economically feasible way, a clean, efficient and direct process to convert coal into electrical energy is needed.

"A proposed energy source must meet strict criteria to overtake conventional coal-fueled power plants," said SRI's Lawrence Dubois. "The conversion system must use a low-cost domestic resource, have comparable or lower capital and operating costs, achieve higher efficiency, and capture fuel oxidation products internally to achieve zero emissions of toxic and greenhouse gases. SRI's novel DCFC approach has the potential to satisfy all of these demanding requirements."

SRI scientists are developing a DCFC system that uses inexpensive and domestically available coal for clean energy generation. SRI's Materials Research Laboratory is working with international and industrial partners to demonstrate the technical, economic and commercial feasibility of its DCFCs.

SRI's system mixes the best features of two demonstrated technologies: solid oxide fuel cells and molten carbon-air fuel cells. The one-step, clean, high-efficiency energy conversion process transforms the chemical energy of pulverized coal (and other carbon-containing fuels) directly into electricity through the electrochemical oxidation of carbon.  

SRI's panel participation underscores its commitment to help the nation develop new energy sources and achieve energy self-sufficiency, a cornerstone of national security and prosperity. SRI scientists and engineers are developing a range of pioneering technologies and services in alternative power generation, energy storage, infrastructure protection and environmental clean-up.

Admission to the Direct Carbon Conversion Workshop is free; however space is limited and pre-registration is required at http://www.fuelcellseminar.com/free_workshop.asp.

About SRI International
Silicon Valley-based SRI International (www.sri.com) is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. Founded as Stanford Research Institute in 1946, SRI has been meeting the strategic needs of clients for almost 60 years. The nonprofit research institute performs client-sponsored research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses and private foundations. In addition to conducting contract R&D, SRI licenses its technologies, forms strategic partnerships and creates spin-off companies.

# # #