US-based Proton Energy Systems has won a contract from Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction to supply Hogen hydrogen generators for a power plant that provides electricity to Qatalum.

Qatalum, a major aluminium smelter in the region, is currently under construction and slated to begin operations in August 2010.

Proton Energy is the world’s leading supplier of onsite hydrogen generators utilizing PEM (proton exchange membrane) technology, which create high purity hydrogen from de-mineralized water and electricity.

“Proton Energy Systems is honoured to partner with Doosan Heavy Industries and Qatalum to bring the latest and most innovative hydrogen technologies to the Qatar region,” said Rob Friedland, president and chief executive officer of Proton Energy Systems.

“We understand that our utility partners require hydrogen that is efficient, clean and reliable, and we are proud that our onsite Hogen hydrogen generators exceed this demand to produce the highest quality hydrogen while eliminating the need for delivery from outside sources,” he observed.

This high quality hydrogen gas will provide cooling to four F-Class GE gas turbines and two steam turbines, which have a combined power output of 1472 MW.

While older hydrogen generator designs use liquid caustic electrolyte, Hogen generators employ state-of-the-art solid polymer electrolyte technology that extends the life and reliability of hydrogen generators, while also reducing the risk of injury to personnel and property damage caused by chemical exposure.

Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction of South Korea is a global leader in power and water plant technology, and has built more than 500 nuclear, thermal, combined cycle, hydro power plants and desalination plants around the world.

It will now bring the Qatalum plant to fruition, with the help of Proton Energy. 

“Doosan Heavy Industries is committed to creating and maintaining state-of-the-art power plants that provide the highest value to our customers,” said Taejong Lee of Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction.

“Proton Energy Systems is a tested and reliable international utility leader, and its advanced Hogen generators enable us to provide electricity for the world’s largest aluminum plant in the safest, most efficient and affordable means possible.”

In addition to supplying state-of-the-art Hogen generators for the Qatalum project, Proton Energy will provide the engineering support needed to install, startup, and operate the hydrogen generation facility and provide the high pressure hydrogen compressors and storage vessels.

Proton Energy has been increasingly expanding the scope of supply to the international projects it has been involved with in the past few years.

This expanded scope has been an outgrowth of the demonstrated expertise Proton has developed over the years with hydrogen infrastructure and codes and standards compliance.

This Doosan contract is the latest of several partnerships Proton Energy Systems has developed in the region, including another major power plant project in Qatar and one in Egypt.

Proton Energy Systems is a global leader in hydrogen technology, and its commitment to innovation has been recognized during the past several months with several military projects.

These include a $2.62 million contract with the US Army’s Engineer Research and Development Center to develop a Regenerative Fuel Cell System, and a $1.8 million contract with the US Army’s Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center to create an advanced fueling system capable of sustaining a military fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles.-TradeArabia News Service