ZAP and Apollo Energy Demonstrate Proprietary ''Ammonia Cracker'' Technology to Power Hydrogen Fuel Cells
23 May 2005
ZAP (OTCBB:ZAPZ - News), pioneering the next generation of advanced transportation and energy technologies, along with technology partner Apollo Energy Systems of Pompano Beach, Florida, have announced the successful demonstration of a patented "Ammonia Cracker" technology for use as a method to power zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell cars.
Apollo's Alkaline Fuel Cells, derived from designs used in most major space explorations programs, are Hydrogen Fuel Cells that derive their energy from ammonia. Apollo's patented Ammonia Cracker breaks the ammonia down into hydrogen to power the fuel cell, said Robert Aronsson, President of Apollo Energy Systems. The technology offers a range cost savings and other advantages over other hydrogen fuel cell solutions.
"Apollo's fuel cell technology can jump start the hydrogen economy," said Mr. Aronsson. "The easiest and least expensive way to move Hydrogen from Point A to Point B is to use ammonia. Seventy-five percent of ammonia (NH3) is hydrogen. Ammonia can be added inexpensively as a component of today's gas stations, without costly hydrogen extractors, allowing the refueling of fuel cell cars today, years ahead of other hydrogen solutions."
In 2004, ZAP signed an exclusive licensing and distribution contract with Apollo Energy Systems for its patented Alkaline Fuel Cell, Ammonia Cracker and Lead-Cobalt battery technologies as a partnership towards the development of ZAP CARS® powered by hydrogen fuel cells. ZAP CEO Steve Schneider said ZAP will work with Apollo on the creation of a prototype fuel cell vehicle using a DOT-approved Smart Car. Mr. Schneider and Mr. Aronsson said the Smart Car powered by a 60 kW Apollo Fuel Cell, equipped with an 8.7 gallon Ammonia fuel tank will have a cruising range of up to 200 miles per refueling with zero emissions.
"This technology has the potential to enable ZAP to offer a true zero-emission vehicle that can meet the transportation needs of U.S. drivers," said Mr. Schneider.
Apollo conducted a successful demonstration of it Ammonia Cracker technology at its facilities in Pompano Beach, Florida. Inventor Dr. Gottfried Faleschini was on hand to oversee the demonstration.
Mr. Schneider and Mr. Aronsson outlined their vision to demonstrate the new Apollo Fuel Cell and Lead Cobalt Battery in ZAP automobiles in what they say would be the world's first coast-to-coast "Hydrogen Expressway" drive from Florida to California. Hydrogen required for the fuel cells will come from liquid ammonia (NH3), which would be stored in large tanks at gas stations along the way. The electric vehicles would "fill up" with liquid ammonia, which then feeds into Apollo's patented Ammonia Cracker on board the vehicle, similar to catalytic converters in modern automobiles. The Ammonia Cracker would convert the ammonia to hydrogen for the fuel cells.
Mr. Aronsson said ammonia-based fuel cell present important benefits over existing hydrogen fuel cell designs. "Ammonia is the second most common chemical produced in the world and can be made from natural gas or renewable energy," he said. "It is shipped by truck, rail, pipeline, ship and barge and is commonly used as fertilizer or in household refrigerators and can be competitive in price to gasoline. Ammonia fueling stations could be set up at very little cost, as the infrastructure already exists throughout the country. By making weekly deliveries of ammonia to gas stations in the 100 largest metropolitan areas of the U.S., ammonia distributors could reach 70 percent of the population. Former plans, proposed by others, of equipping gas stations with mini-factories for producing hydrogen by electrolysis at a cost of $1 million per gas station, could be replaced by this new, low-cost system. The new fueling system would make it possible for thousands of ZAP Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars to operate throughout the country, silently, and with zero emissions."
About Apollo Energy Systems
Apollo Energy Systems, Inc. is in the business of developing, producing, marketing and licensing new energy products and energy systems utilizing hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, renewable resources and space sciences. Apollo has developed, produced, and field-tested Alkaline Fuel Cells and Lead Cobalt Rechargeable Batteries for which a number of patents have been issued with additional patents pending. The Company has also developed Ammonia Crackers for the production of hydrogen for the fuel cells. A patent is pending on these devices as well. For more information, visit http://www.apolloenergysystems.com.
About ZAP
ZAP, Zero Air Pollution®, has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies and energy products since 1994. ZAP owns the technology developed by Smart-Automobile LLC to Americanize the popular European-made Smart Car for the U.S. marketplace. ZAP Americanizes the Smart Car to meet U.S. federal and state safety and emissions standards. ZAP is not affiliated with, or authorized by, smart gmbh, the manufacturer of SMART automobiles, or the smartUSA division of Mercedes-Benz LLC, the exclusive authorized U.S. importer and distributor of those vehicles. The Smart Car is manufactured by global automotive company DaimlerChrysler. ZAP purchases its vehicles from non-affiliated direct importer Smart-Automobile LLC. For more information, visit http://www.zapworld.com. For investor-specific information, visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/zap. To read or download the Company's Investor Fact Sheet visit http://www.trilogy-capital.com/tcp/zap/factsheet.html.
Cautionary Statement
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the Company's products, increased levels of competition for the Company, new products and technological changes, the Company's dependence on third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Contact:
ZAP
Alex Campbell, 707-525-8658 Ext. 241 (Media Relations)
acampbell@zapworld.com
or
Trilogy Capital Partners, Inc.
Paul Karon, 800-342-1467 (Investor Relations)
investor@zapworld.com
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Source: ZAP
Source: Business Wire
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