Abstract
INTRODUCTION
To provide a critical evaluation of the status of nonreactive BOP for fuel
cell technology, and how recent environmental legislation and technological
breakthroughs in materials processing technology will make fuel cells cost
competitive with conventional power sources. To address the nonreactive
components for fuel cell BOP component materials stability issues, which arise
from fuel cell integration. To evaluate the key nonreactive components for
fuel cell BOP component properties essential for successful commercialization
of fuel cells. To discuss and analyze the status and future supply and demand
issues for the major nonreactive BOP component products integrators; and thus
provide fuel cell developers with an insight into the dynamics of the fuel
cell business. SCOPE OF STUDY
This report contains:
- Descriptions of various non-reactive balance of plant (BOP) components for
fuel cells including applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells,
direct alcohol fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells,
solid oxide fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, and metal-air fuel cells
- The current market status of BOP components, trends and forecasts for
growth over the next 5 years
- A detailed patent evaluation covering fuel cell type and geographic
distribution
- Company profiles of major industry players
- A discussion of government environmental/energy regulation issues.
METHODOLOGY
In this report, both historic and current data have been used in the demand
analysis. Some information has also been gathered through primary research
with leading raw materials producers, convertors, component producers,
equipment manufacturers, trade associations, and automotive original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs). Therefore, the results of the calculations presented
here are based on three components: historical analysis of global industrial
gases demand in the 2004 to 2007 time frame, estimates for 2007, and
forecasted demand for the 2007 to 2012 time frame.
INFORMATION SOURCES
Information sources include trade data (national and international), company
publicity literature, conference reports, world trade technical journals, and
interviews with company representatives.
ANALYST CREDENTIALS
Edward Gobina is a Full U.K. Professor of Chemical and Processing Engineering
and has over 25 years research and teaching experience in catalysis,
environmental engineering, petrochemical reaction engineering, and membrane
reactor technology. He has been published extensively, with over 100 relevant
publications in international scientific journals. In addition, he has been a
project analyst for over 10 years and has authored over 20 BCC Research
reports covering the entire energy infrastructure chain from LNG, gas sensors,
hydrogen, and industrial gases to oil and natural gas exploitation and
production. He is also the author of four major patents on membrane-related
technologies relating to chemical energy, sensor/monitoring instruments and
oil and gas industries. Professor Gobina is a member of the European Membrane
Society (EMS), the North American Membrane Society (NAMS) and the New York
Academy of Sciences (NYAS). He is the current director of the Centre for
Process Integration and Membrane Technology (CPIMT) within the School of
Engineering at the Robert Gordon University in the U.K.
View Cart
