Linde to build and operate its first retail hydrogen fueling station in the U.S.

Linde LLC is drawing close to completing the first retail hydrogen fueling station the company will operate in the U.S. The station, which is expected to be online before the end of the year, is being installed at the Ramos Oil Company multi-fuel station in West Sacramento, California, where Ramos currently retails gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol-85, methanol, and racing fuels.

“We are very excited to be working with Ramos Oil on this project,” said Nitin Natesan, business development manager for Linde Hydrogen Fueling. “This high throughput retail station is a very significant step forward in the commercialization of hydrogen-fueled cars,” said Natesan.

“We are delighted to be working with Linde on this exciting project,” said Kent Ramos, president of Ramos Oil Company. “We have been serving the Sacramento market with a variety of fuels for over 60 years and we are anxious to support the infrastructure necessary to prove that hydrogen has a place in the transportation fuel mix.”

Natesan said, “While the acceptance of Linde technology for hydrogen fueled vehicles is advancing at a fast pace in Europe, we’re now getting a real foothold in the U.S., with California leading the way.” Recently, the California Energy Commission, which supports this project, announced that it is providing funding for a significant number of additional retail stations throughout the state. Linde received funding for two of the stations — in Oakland and San Ramon, California – to go along with the five previous station awards Linde has received. Linde has also built and is operating two hydrogen fueling stations for California’s AC Transit to fuel 12 hydrogen fuel cell buses in Emeryville and Oakland.

At the heart of the hydrogen fueling system is the Linde IC 90 ionic compressor — the next generation of hydrogen compression technology which enables higher throughput and enhanced back to back fueling. Unlike conventional piston-operated compressors, the IC 90 works with ionic liquid. Because these ionic liquids essentially have no vapor pressure, they do not evaporate or mix with the hydrogen gas. They also eliminate mechanical wear-and-tear and sealing problems inside the cylinders. “With this compressor, Linde has made a valuable contribution to the ongoing enhancement of today’s hydrogen fueling infrastructure,” said Mike Beckman, head of H(2) Fueling – Linde North America. For more information on Linde’s IC 90 ionic compressor see: http://www.lindeus.com/en/innovations/hydrogen_energy/fuelling_technologies/ionic_compressor.html.

Linde is handling the design and fabrication of the Linde 900 bar Ionic Compressor. In addition, several companies will also be involved in the hydrogen station installation: Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide (NASDAQ: QTWW) for the dispensing system; FIBA Technologies will supply some of the hydrogen gas storage tubes; and Chart Industries will supply the hydrogen storage tank.

As the world’s largest manufacturer of hydrogen plants, Linde covers the entire technology spectrum required to successfully use hydrogen as an energy source – from hydrogen generation to refueling. Linde has equipped over 90 fueling stations in 15 countries with innovative hydrogen refueling technology, supporting fuel cell cars, buses, forklifts and other uses.

“Hydrogen fueling has been making great strides in the U.S., particularly in California where Linde has been involved from the start with AC Transit and is now in the final stages of its first retail station,” said Beckman. “Add to this the H2 Mobility Initiative in Germany where Linde is one of six member-companies planning to build a nationwide network of hydrogen stations to support the broad deployment of fuel-cell powered vehicles, and it is evident that hydrogen fueling has moved well beyond the experimental stage and is now becoming a commercial reality.” 

About Linde North America

Linde LLC is a member of The Linde Group, a world leading gases and engineering company. In the 2013 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of USD $23.1 billion (EUR 16.655 bn), making it the largest gases and engineering company in the world with approximately 63,500 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. The company is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at www.linde.com

About Ramos Oil Company

Ramos Oil Company, headquartered in West Sacramento, California, was founded by Bill Ramos over 60 years ago as a Shell Oil Distributor. It is still family-owned and operated, with the third generation currently learning the business. “Bill” is now 89 and still stops by the office on most days to check on business operations. What began as a local oil distributorship, serving mostly agricultural customers, has grown to serve customers all over Northern and Southern California and Western Nevada in industries such as trucking, construction, marine, aviation, industrial, and mining, as well as gas stations and truck stops. Ramos distributes most of the major brands of fuels, lubricants and green fuels. For more information see Ramos Oil online at www.ramosoil.com.