WHAT IS A FUEL CELL?
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that generates electricity by converting the chemical energy stored in a fuel to electrical and thermal energy. Instead of burning the fuel as in the case of an internal combustion engine, it generates power using an electrochemical reaction. The byproducts of the electrochemical reaction are pure water and heat.

ARE ALL FUEL CELLS THE SAME?
No, there are many different types of fuel cells. Some of the key differences are in the type fuel they use, the way they are built and the operating conditions such as temperature and environment. Uses range from powering small consumer devices to generating electricity for power plants. The application dictates the type of fuel cell required.

WHAT FUELS ARE USED IN FUEL CELLS?
A variety of fuels can be used including hydrogen, methanol, ethanol, butane, natural gas, ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas. Energy from landfills, biomass, coal, wood and agricultural waste can also be used to create the fuel. Because they function on such diverse input, fuel cells are a logical choice to transition from current combustion based technologies to renewable energy sources.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY?

Pollution Reduction: Fuel cells lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce other environmental pollutants. CO2, CO, NOx, SOx, particulates, hydrocarbons and other emissions are reduced with all fuel cell technologies.

Lower Costs: In many cases fuel cells produce power at lower cost than traditional fossil fuel competition. This is increasingly true as the cost of fossil fuels escalates.

Reliability: Fuel cells provide a reliable source of power for applications that had previously be subject to power interruptions.

Efficiency: Fuel cells operate at 40-80% efficiency depending on the type of technology deployed. This often represents a substantial increase in efficiency as compared to burning fossil fuel to generate power.

Fuel Availability: Fossil fuels are a non renewable resource and will one day be depleted. Many fuels used to power fuel cells are renewable or represent untapped resources that augment our fossil fuel reserves.

Quiet, Clean, Modular, Durable: Many fuel cells operate at minimal noise. They can be modular, compact and durable. This makes them ideal candidates for many applications that are removed from the grid or where traditional power delivery expensive.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FUEL CELL AND A BATTERY?
A battery chemically stores and releases electricity, while a fuel cell produces energy through the electrochemical reaction of a fuel and air. A battery will run out of power and require recharging, then disposal. A fuel cell, however, will continue to function and produce power as long as fuel and oxygen are supplied.

ARE FUEL CELLS A RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE?
Fuel cells themselves are not a power source: rather they use a fuel to produce power. If the fuel is obtained from renewable sources, then fuel cells can be an important part of the renewable energy chain.

WHAT TYPE OF FUEL CELL DOES OORJA PROVIDE?
Oorja designs, develops, and manufacturers liquid methanol based fuel cells.

WHERE ARE FUEL CELLS USED?
The following applications are a sample of the areas where fuel cells are being used commercially today.

Off-Grid Applications: Remote home sites, field science stations, telecommunication repeaters, backup power for schools, hospitals and government facilities

On-Board Charging: Forklifts, Automated Guided Vehicles, golf carts, tuggers, riders, cars, motorcycles, submarines

Portable & Mobile Power Applications: Consumer electronic devices, cell phones, MP3 players

Auxiliary Power Applications: Recreational Vehicles, military vehicles, boats, homes

WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES OorjaPac™ OFFER IN COMPARISON TO BATTERIES OR INTERNAL COMBUSTION POWERED OPTIONS FOR FORKLIFTS?

Lower Costs
OorjaPac™ reduces costs (labor, electrical, battery) and increases productivity (labor, space, battery) for material handling operations.

Reduced Pollution
OorjaPac™ reduces green house gas emissions. It eliminates NOx, SOx and CO emissions and reduces CO2 emission. OorjaPac™ increases battery life and reduces battery requirements. This reduces the overall use of toxic chemicals inside the batteries.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON THE LIFE OF THE BATTERY AND HOW WOULD YOUR SOLUTION IMPACT THE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BATTERY?
OorjaPac™ continuously trickle charges the on-board battery in the material handling vehicle. This ensures the battery never reaches a state of deep discharge. Battery charge and power are maintained at high levels and the battery is not subject to heat damage caused during recharging. Therefore, battery life is increased and battery maintenance needs are reduced.

HOW DO YOU REFUEL THE OorjaPac™?
Methanol is delivered to the fuel cell similar to refueling a car. A compact methanol refueling cabinet with a hose and nozzle is used to transfer methanol to the fuel tank in the OorjaPac™. Anyone can refuel the OorjaPac ™ with minimal training.

Methanol delivery for our customers is ensured by Oorja. We have set up partnerships with several large national methanol suppliers so that the fuel can be regularly supplied to any location within 24hrs.

ARE OTHER OPTIONS FOR REFULING AVAILABLE? 
There are other options for refueling such as using a hand pumps or swapping of tanks. However, these options are not standard and are customized based on the unique needs of our customers.

WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON SYSTEM REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE?
The OorjaPac™ has few moving parts and requires little maintenance. However, when it is required, we have a large dealer network available with labor and parts for on-site service. Our dealers offer a number of maintenance plans to cover all operating environments.

WHAT MODEL BATTERIES DOES THE OorjaPac™ SUPPORT?
The Stand Alone unit can work with all batteries that operate on 12, 24, 36 and 48 Volts. The Hybrid unit currently replaces only the 24 Volt batteries.

How many OorjaPac™ units can be supported by one fueling station?
A single OorjaPac™ Fueling Station holds two 55 gallon drums of methanol. 15 fuel cells can be filled with one 55 gallon drum. A 55 gallon drum can supply fuel to 15 OorjaPac™ units that are completely out of fuel before the 55 gallon refueling rig is emptied. After that, the drum will need to be swapped out before additional refuels can take place. Swapping a drum only takes a few minutes after which another 15 OorjaPac™ units can be refueled before the second drum needs to be replaced. Therefore, the OorjaPac™ Fueling Rig can support many OorjaPac™ units.

Are there any environmental or Eco concerns in regards to the refueling station?
No, the refueling station is an NFPA 30 rated cabinet with compression fittings at all connection points. Additionally, all the couplings on the refueling station are self sealing couplers with an in-line dry-break coupler, in case a driver forgets to disconnect before driving away.

Does a trickle charge do any harm to the battery? Are there any drawbacks to trickle charging?
No, a trickle charge is the best type of charge for the batteries as it does not heat the battery. The only drawback to trickle charging is time; however since the OorjaPac™ is mounted on and connected to the battery at all times, the time factor is not applicable.

Can the OorjaPac™ operate in freezers?
Yes, the OorjaPac™ can operate in freezers without any negative impact on OorjaPac™ performance or life. The OorjaPac™ has been operationally tested to below -30ºF conditions.

Will we go completely grid free with the OorjaPac™?
Yes, with the OorjaPac™ installed, the vehicles can be completely independent of the grid.