Avista Labs, Airgas team up on fuel cell project

Hydrogen, the fuel in fuel cells, will be available to Avista Labs’ customers from the largest supplier of industrial gases in the United States, the Spokane company announced Monday.

From staff reports The Spokesman Review

Airgas Inc. will provide not just hydrogen, but help with siting and installation of bottles to feed the cells, Avista Labs spokeswoman Sandra Saathoff said.

Those services, plus safety consultation, will help overcome some of the concerns raised by potential fuel cell customers, she said.

"Fuel supply has been something of an issue," Saathoff said.

Fuel cells use an electrochemical reaction to produce electricity from hydrogen. There is no combustion involved, and the only byproducts are water and heat.

Airgas sells gases from 800 locations, 25 of which can fill the kinds of bottles used with Avista Labs fuel cells.

Airgas Vice President Tom Thoman said Avista Labs has become a leader in fuel cell development and sales.

"Airgas intends to take the lead in hydrogen supply and related services," Thoman said in a prepared statement.

"Their products … are key to the development of a larger market for all hydrogen-powered fuel cells," Avista Labs Chief Executive Officer Mike Davis added in his own statement.

The agreement with Pennsylvania-based Airgas runs through 2005.

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