FROM:
Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.
224 Franklin Avenue West
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
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FOR:
Donaldson Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 1299
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
(NYSE: DCI)
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Proprietary technologies aiding Los Alamos Laboratory and others in developing commercially viable power sources
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 11 Global filtration solutions expert Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE:DCI) today introduced the first air-borne contaminant and noise filtration systems designed specifically for fuel cell applications. Donaldson FC3 products, presented by the company's new Fuel Cell Contamination Control business unit at the Grove International Fuel Cell Symposium in London, are being used in jointly funded contamination control research at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Donaldson has established FC3 offices in North America, Asia and Europe and is working with multiple fuel cell manufacturers and fuel cell-powered product developers to make the technology a commercially viable power source for a wide range of transportation, residential and portable applications. The company says that improved understanding of fuel cell contamination problems is a critical component in commercialization.
Today's Fuel Cell. The operating principle of fuel cells involves no combustion. The system converts hydrogen's chemical energy directly into direct current (DC) power potentially capable of powering everything from cell phones to submarines. The only waste byproducts created by the fuel cell process are heat and water.
"Intake-air or cathode-side filtration is a crucial component for ensuring fuel cell reliability and performance, but it's just now being included as a core subsystem," said Eivind Stenersen, chief engineer of the Donaldson FC3 business unit. "Ambient air in all corners of the world contains contaminants that can compromise the fuel cell system durability, life and performance. To make the
leap from the lab to the marketplace, fuel cells will require particulate and chemical filtration of the cathode air. Donaldson Company filtration and acoustic sciences make us uniquely qualified to design and manufacture the most comprehensive, compact, and effective answer."
Recognizing and Filtering Global Contaminants. Fuel cell development to-date has occurred in the controlled environment of the laboratory, where the air is relatively free of real-world contaminants. Donaldson Company air quality studies conducted on every continent show that ambient air carries enough pollution to adversely affect hydrogen fuel cell reliability. Sub-micrometer-sized particles, salts, oils, chemicals and volatile organic compounds - which shorten fuel cell life - are all found in
varying degrees in the atmosphere. In addition to extending fuel cell life by shielding the system from air-borne contaminants, Donaldson FC3 cathode-side filtration also integrates noise control features to quiet noise from fuel cell compressors and fans.
"Based on our collaboration with Los Alamos Laboratory, we know that hydrogen fuel cells are poised to become the energy source of the future," said Richard Canepa, director of the Donaldson FC3 business unit. "Our fuel cell-dedicated business is in place to help customers integrate quiet, clean air products. By incorporating current state-of-the-art proprietary FC3 technologies we are making fuel cell specific products that are cost effective and available today. We are proud to be contributing to the next revolution in clean, abundant energy." For more information about fuel cell engines, visit the Los Alamos fuel cell information web page.
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Donaldson Company, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., is a leading worldwide provider of filtration systems and replacement parts. Founded in 1915, Donaldson is a technology-driven company committed to satisfying customer needs for filtration solutions through innovative research and development. Donaldson serves customers in the industrial and engine markets including dust collection, power generation, specialty filtration, off-road equipment, trucks, and automotive. More than 8,400 employees contribute to the company's success at 40 manufacturing locations around the world. In fiscal year 2001, Donaldson reported record sales of more than $1.1 billion and achieved its 12th consecutive year of double-digit earnings growth. Donaldson is a member of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and Donaldson shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol DCI. Additional Company information is available at www.donaldson.com.