Automotive Business - What are Fuel Cell Membranes and Why Should I care?

What are Fuel Cell Membranes and Why Should I care? Well first off just incase you think things are not moving forward check this out:

http://www.donaldson.com/en/fuelcell/index.html

Donaldson is selling all the replacement and re-usable parts for Fuel Cells. Peruse this site and understand the nature of what is to come. Fuel Cells need clean air to run, therefore like a Diesel or Gasoline Engine they need air filters too. Contamination control is essential for safety of a fuel cell and also for proper efficiency. Los Alamos has been working on these and is almost at a major breakthrough.

http://www.lanl.gov/worldview/science/features/fuelcell.html

and if you are serious about the future market share you will want the Donaldson video available on their website too. Remember there are several things going on inside of a Fuel Cell to make exchange the energy. Chemical Reactions, which have a filtration process and heat exchanges, ion exchanges and exhaust components. All of which have monitoring needs and issues. Contaminants are not a real good idea in this sort of thing. And of course this is where the pedal hits the pavement and where the men are separated from the boys, there are training needs, customer needs and opportunity in the Chaos to come.

Vehicles, which do not derive power from an internal combustion engine, will not require oil-changing services? Does this mean the oil change industry is dead? For some yes absolutely, they will perish and new innovative companies will take their place, such is the struggle of free markets and competition, for the rest there will be service items to take care of with fuel cells too. So then what can we expect to see in the next 12 years? A big change? Yes, it seems to be estimated that 35-45% of all vehicles in the US will be another form of hybrid propulsion. Namely it appears to be that Hydrogen Cells will take the place of much of what we know.

http://www.ceramicindustry.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,2710,27484,00.html

There will be manufacturers and suppliers of these filters no doubt and companies like our will replace them. There are significant opportunities for companies in the Filter manufacturing business of ceramic filters and membranes. Will fuel cell service stations supply these parts at the counter of their C-stores? As a matter of fact the answer is yes, some will, while others will be a typical looking C-Store with gasoline stations, only with hydrogen with kiosks near ATM machines? How many brands will there be? Will auto manufacturers design many different models and will auto service businesses need to stock all the Fuel Cell Service items too? Today just stocking air filters can be a hardship with over 161 common types?

Will these Fuel Cell Stations Be franchised? Who will be doing this? Will the Oil Companies see this and jump on the opportunity? Will Wal-Mart add Fuel Cell Card Lock stations at all their Sam's Clubs? The future is predictable, most of this seems like obvious questions to answer. We feel we could answer most of these and be pretty close on target. Are the Futurists all they are cracked up to be? Or just realists-idealists and theorists?

When you start seeing hydrogen fuel stations pop-up then you will see people buying those cars. Then you will see trucking companies investing in their own systems to haul along major freight lines, then you will see railroad try to run for lower fuel costs and heavier loads to compete, and thus you will see the ushering in a new age of transportation and form of distribution, cleaner air, water and more efficiency.

Regarding filters for hydrogen cell? Honda is pushing their electric hybrids claiming no needed filters. However this might be a bit misleading to the general public who has knowledge of such technologies, these vehicles require other usable parts, and you can bet the Japanese want to sell you those reusable parts. The high heat may be use in conjunction with larger fuel cells in factories or grid generation and plasma torches to clean the areas of the filters, which may last several cycles longer or may have a plasma unit running continually to clean the particulate. Cars will have some obstacles because what is good for General Motors is good for America concept.

Now realize brake fluids, windshield wiper blades, etc will still need servicing. But the days of the $24.99 Jiffy Lube oil change appear to be on their last decade. Not only because of price competitiveness of Wal-Mart, but also due to shifting technologies in oil intervals, additives and introduction of Hydrogen Cells. So you ask how hard is it to replace fuel cell filters? Very easy. And take a look at these sexy little anodized fuel cell filters. Small and expensive. About $35.00 and even the fuel sending units are considered replaceable parts, yep $80.00, not cheap. But remember for an industry still in its infancy, these are not bad.

Just because your auto repair business is without a future, does not mean a little adaptation cannot keep you in business for another 40 years.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs