Next-Gen Power Sources Receive Dangerous Goods Panel
Approval
The International Civil
Aviation Organization's Dangerous Goods Panel (ICAO DGP) voted last
week to allow passengers to carry and use micro fuel cells and
methanol fuel cartridges on-board airplanes to power laptop
computers and other consumer electronic devices. The ICAO acted in
response to a US Fuel Cell Council proposal to amend the ICAO
Technical Instructions.
When the conditions currently in draft are formally adopted, the
regulation will go into effect on January 1, 2007, with publication
of ICAO's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of
Dangerous Goods by Air.
"This is a critical milestone in the global commercialization of
micro methanol fuel cells," said Methanol Institute President and
CEO John Lynn. "Strict air transport regulations will deliver safe
and reliable methanol fuel cartridges into consumers' hands. In a
few short years, we expect methanol fuel cartridges to be as
commonplace as 'AA' batteries on store shelves in every corner of
the world."
According to an ICAO release, fuel cell companies and consumer
electronic manufacturers throughout the US, Europe, and Asia are
developing micro fuel cell technologies to power the next
generation of laptop computers, cellular phones and other essential
modern devices. The new conditions adopted require compliance with
the International Electrotechnical Commission Specification for
Micro Fuel Cell Safety, and places limits on the size and number of
fuel cartridges to be carried.
Also, the fuel cells
would be allowed in carry-on baggage only.
The passenger allowance covers four types of micro fuel cell
systems: those using direct methanol fuel cells, reformed methanol
fuel cells, and fuel cells powered by formic acid and butane fuels.
The DGP did not act on proposals to include the use of hydrogen in
metal hydrides and borohydride compounds. Last year, the United
Nations Dangerous Goods Panel established model regulations for
cargo shipping methanol fuel cartridges for micro fuel cell
devices.
"On behalf of the USFCC, I want to thank the panel for its hard
work to date; the drafting was time consuming and involved many
private and public sector organizations," said Robert Rose, USFCC
Executive Director. "A successful outcome will be an important
advance for the fuel cell industry."
Another key step in receiving the ICAO DGP's approval was the
adoption of a design and performance specification in October by
the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The Methanol
Institute and fuel cell industry leaders have worked for four years
with national and international standards authorities to meet all
requirements for safety.
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