Press Release

InnovaTek Introduces New Fuel Cell Processor Technology That Favors Biodiesel

Richland, WA—After about 10 years of research and development, InnovaTek has produced a fuel processor that will utilize biodiesel as preferred fuel source.

The InnovaGen fuel processor, the creation of the Richland, WA-based company, founded and operated by Dr. Patricia Irving, is now being tested by several commercial partners.

This new type of fuel processor converts (or reforms) fuel—such as biodiesel, gasoline, ethanol, petro diesel or natural gas—into hydrogen which is then converted to electricity with the use of an adjoining fuel cell.

Biodiesel Tested 'Best'
'Biodiesel is probably the best fuel we have tested so far for operating the fuel processor,' Irving said.
Any diesel fuel has higher fuel density than gasoline or ethanol, and biodiesel has about the same density as petro diesel, Irving said, but has other advantages over petro diesel.

'Biodiesel seems to have fewer impurities and we can reform it at a lower temperature compared to regular petroleum diesel fuel,' Irving said.

'Biodiesel also is not toxic,' she continued. 'If there's a spill, it�fs not a big deal to clean it up. It smells good so you don�ft have nasty fumes. Overall, biodiesel is a much better product to work with.'

Applications
The InnovaGen fuel processor has many applications being considered by such partners as Chevron, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and Lockheed Martin.

• Chevron is researching utilization of the fuel cells for hydrogen fueling stations for hydrogen-powerd cars. The biodiesel would be used to produce the hydrogen at the station utilizing the InnovaGen fuel processor.
• The U.S. Navy and U.S. Army are looking at ways to create portable power units for ships and vehicles.
• The fuel processors could eliminate the need for diesel semi-tractor trailers to run the engine to power the 'hotel' portions of the cab while the driver is stopped and to power refrigeration in the box, if needed. This has the added benefit of eliminating the need to idle the engine, reducing pollutants.
• The fuel processors could act as a backup for municipal telecommunications to ensure that they remain operating, especially during catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina.
The fuel processors could also be utilized in a residential backup power system.

According to Irving, InnovaTek will license the technology to manufacturers once the product is commercialized in 2009 or 2010.
The partners just started doing systems integration studies on the fuel processors at the end of 2007 and early this year, Irving noted.