Air Products (NYSE: APD), a worldwide leader in hydrogen fueling technology, announced another innovation and step forward in this developing market with the introduction of its advanced consumer-friendly retail hydrogen fuel dispenser. The new Air Products offering is the market’s first fully-integrated retail hydrogen dispenser, mirrors traditional consumer gasoline fueling and payment practices, and is readily available to meet consumer expectations of refilling hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles in a safe, fast, reliable, and familiar manner.
“There is a direct benefit in consumer acceptance of new technology in making the hydrogen fueling experience similar to the traditional vehicle fueling experience. Air Products adapted all the consumer features and capabilities of a retail gasoline dispenser into our newest hydrogen fuel dispensing equipment,” said Brian Bonner, global product manager for Hydrogen Energy Systems at Air Products. “Our extensive experience in hydrogen supply and our exclusive relationship with an industry-leader of fuel dispensing equipment, has led to both unique innovations involving hydrogen dispensing technology and a superior level of safety that is built into the advanced hydrogen dispenser.”
Air Products worked closely with Bennett Pump Company, a leading manufacturer of fuel dispensing equipment, in developing the advanced hydrogen fuel dispenser which benefits from the combination of Air Products’ vast hydrogen market experience and Bennett’s extensive background in engineering and manufacturing consumer and retail fuel dispensing products. This advanced technology will be immediately incorporated into 10 new fueling stations to be built by Air Products in California starting in 2013. The dispenser’s attractive design and user interface provides the same look, feel, and payment options as a traditional gasoline dispenser, and may be integrated into any existing retail point of sale system.
“I am extremely pleased with the end product resulting from the combined expertise of our two organizations,” comments Tom Thompson, president of Bennett Pump. “We are excited to be on the leading edge pioneering hydrogen refueling technology alongside a company such as Air Products, where the shared vision and emphasis on safety and quality are unparalleled.”
The hydrogen fuel dispensing equipment, based partially on Bennett’s Pacific Series product, includes SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)-certified dispensing components, proprietary hydrogen fueling protocols, as well as the ability to meet SAE’s “J2601” fueling requirements. Built on Air Products’ foundation of over 15 years of continuous development and testing, the dispenser is equipped with a consumer-friendly training interface, the latest Hydrogen Vehicle Authorization System to provide identification of the type of vehicle being fueled at the dispenser, and in many areas exceeds applicable safety code requirements.
