Praxair, Inc. (NYSE: PX) has signed an agreement with Proton Energy Systems, Inc. to become the exclusive distributor in Canada and a U.S. for Proton’s advanced on-site hydrogen generation systems for the electric utilities industry and other applications.
Proton’s HOGEN(R) hydrogen generators produce hydrogen from electricity and water without harmful by-products. In the electric utility application the hydrogen generator provides a continuous flow of high purity hydrogen to cool the electric generator casing. Using a patent pending process, these turnkey hydrogen generation systems can increase the efficiency of a utility’s electric generators by reducing windage loss, increasing output capacity and helping extend generator maintenance intervals, all of which can result in significant savings to the utility. Praxair’s expertise in specialty gases and equipment for emissions testing needed by the electric utility industry complements Proton’s line of advanced hydrogen generators.
“The addition of Proton’s HOGEN generator systems to our wide range of EPA protocols, specialty gases, industrial gases and equipment positions Praxair to be a single source for the electric industry’s gas and related equipment needs,” said Tom Archie, Praxair business director, specialty gases and equipment. “This new product line will enhance our position as a leader in safety, quality and service,” continued Archie. “As one of the largest industrial gases companies in the world, Praxair’s local service and global presence is well suited to meet the needs of most utility companies, whether they are a local energy producer or a multi-national energy corporation.”
Proton Energy’s president, Mark Murray stated, “Proton’s HOGEN systems provide significant operating cost improvement to power generation facilities by helping to reduce fuel consumption, maximize generator output, lengthening maintenance intervals while reducing air pollution.”
Proton Energy Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Distributed Energy Systems Corp. (Nasdaq: DESC), is a world leader in development and manufacture Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) on-site hydrogen generators. Proton’s HOGEN hydrogen systems are used worldwide to supply hydrogen for industrial processes such as power plant generator cooling, materials processing, semiconductor manufacturing, fuel cell fueling, chemical reactions, and laboratory analysis.
Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2004 sales of $6.6 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric and process gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair products, services and technology bring productivity and environmental benefits to a wide variety of industries, including aerospace, food and beverage, healthcare, semiconductor materials, steel, chemicals and refining, metal fabrication, water treatment, glass and others. For more information, visit Praxair on the Internet at http://www.praxair.com