Ford Motor Co. is purchasing a fuel cell from FuelCell Energy for its Oakville, Ontario, facility to reduce paint solvent from automotive painting operations by turning its fumes into 300 kilowatts of electricity.
The Direct FuelCell unit turns Volatile Organic Compounds that emanate from enamel base paints and clear coat finishes used in manufacturing into fuel.
Ford’s Oakville painting process produces approximately 200 lbs/hour of VOCs – enough to fully power the unit.
The power plant is being funded by Industry Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to assist in deploying alternative energy sources.
