OUR TECNOLOGY

Arco stands out for its profound expertise in the electrochemical and technological fields, successfully built over the past two decades

All key components of fuel cells and electrolyzer are designed and manufactured in-house

THREE PILLARS OF OUR KNOW-HOW

ELECTROCHEMICAL

MEGA seven layers (Membrane Electrode Gasket Assembly)
CCM (Catalyst Coated Membrane) Proprietary process

STACK & SYSTEM DESIGN

Dynamic Fluid Modeling
Prototyping
Production processes

MANUFACTURING

Integrated approach
SW & algorithms

Fuel Cells

Arco Technologies Inc produces liquid-cooled PEMFCs (proton exchange membrane fuel cells). All the key elements of the PEMFC manufacturing process are produced in-house:

With over 20 years of product development, Arco fuel cells have high power density and high reliability, can guarantee high current density without high current power loss, and a proven reliability.

Arco’s fuel cell systems cover a power range from 3 to 240 kilowatts.

Our patents allow for a simple and effective architecture that leads to a reduction in costs.

DIRECTLINK ™ is an integration between batteries and fuel cells that allows the optimal balance between these two components, enhancing the positive qualities of both technologies. With DIRECTLINK ™ the LiFePO4 technology and the PEMFC self-balance always work at the point of maximum efficiency. This allows + 15% energy efficiency compared to the best systems, 20% less cost and a significantly increased system life.

The patented HYDROREC ™ device allows a 100% fuel utilization ratio without any energy expenditure. The result is a hybrid system that gives the vehicle an autonomy of 4 to 10 hours with refueling times of 3 minutes.

Electrolyzers

Climate change has imposed a new industrial revolution based on decarbonisation, where hydrogen is the natural substitute for fossil fuels. Current technologies for hydrogen production are over 100 years old and are no longer adequate for the needs of this new challenge. Arco Technologies has developed a new disruptive, alkaline polymer electrolyte technology called AEM that is much simpler and more efficient than current technologies. This drastically reduces the cost of hydrogen as it does not heavily use precious metals such as platinum and iridium.

Arco will offer the market machines for the production of hydrogen in the range from 60 kW to several megawatts, as well as refueling stations for fleets of vehicles operating in closed loops such as light trucks and fork lifts.

Markets

Material Handling

Specifically developed for demanding forklift applications, the Arco Technologies high-power systems are the most advanced, integrated and completely automatic fuel cell generation units. Available with a nominal voltage of 24V, 48V and 80V, the Arco FC power system has everything required for an easy plug and play operation. Starting an Arco FC power system is as easy as turning a key. Once in place in the forklift and connected to the plug, the automatic control unit will start delivery power accordingly to the load request.

Marine

DIRECTLINK power system provides the following advantage for ships:

Zero emission Environmentally-Sustainable solution featuring long life.

Modular power solutions from 20kW to multi-MW power systems for marine applications based on distributed fuel cell architecture.

Marine environment compliant with safe FC compartment, integrated power management systems & controls and scalable and flexible integration into the ship architecture.

Range: High energy density of hydrogen compared to battery; liquid storage for large volumes and long storage capacity

Utilization: Quick refilling compared to long battery charging time

Power: Scalable, dispatchable, distributed power for auxiliary or propulsion loads

Suitable marine applications for fuel cell systems include:
– Ferries, coastal vessels, barges and cruise ships
– Hotel and Auxiliary Loads (power, heat, water)
– Cold ironing / shore power

Propulsion power: cruising and in Ports and Emission Control Areas (ECAs)

City Bus

Zero-emission City bus fleets powered by DIRECTLINK are an effective means to address air quality and climate change challenges providing affordable zero-emission transportation without compromising vehicle performances.

FC Bus:
– Are an environmentally sustainable solution
– Can operate in low emission zones
– Operate over a longer range and on more demanding routes
– Offer much higher energy density than batteries to maximize payload
– Are refueled quickly (10 min), ensuring the Bus is on the road generating revenue for the fleet operator
– Offer high energy efficiency

DIRECTLINK power systems have been designed for integration into City buses from 8 to 18 meters (35 to 60 feet).

Trucks

Significant carbon and NOx emissions contributing to climate change and health issues come from urban freight transport in trade corridors. The need for zero-emission heavy-duty commercial trucks has never been greater.

When it comes to heavy transport, weight matters, and fuel cells are lighter than batteries and provide a longer range. DIRECTLINK offers the same high torque that comes with battery electric vehicles, but at lower weight.

The estimated weight difference between trucks with electric batteries and trucks with hydrogen fuel cells; An electric battery truck with a 480-kWh battery pack with a 400-km range, weighs approximately 2500 kg,

While a hydrogen fuel cell truck with a range of about 800-1200 km is estimated to have a weight around 800 kg.

This enables the use electric trucks without negatively impacting performance.

FC trucks:
– Are an environmentally sustainable solution leading to better air quality
– Can operate in low emission zones
– Operate over a longer range and on more demanding routes
– Offer much higher energy density than batteries to maximize payload
– Are refueled quickly (10 min), ensuring the truck is on the road generating revenue for the fleet operator
– Offer high energy efficiency

Areonautical

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are game changers to many industries. From infrastructure and construction site inspections to agriculture and disaster response, ‘drones’ permit missions a lower cost per hour than ever before.

DIRECTLINK technology enables a UAV fleet to fly significantly longer and can improve the run-time of other mass sensitive electrically powered technology.

Also, VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircrafts represent another valuable market for FCs in the immediate future where Arco Technologies systems bring the benefits of low thermal and noise signature as well as extended run-times.

Unmanned systems powered by DIRECTLINK operate longer than their battery counterparts, with the same benefits of low thermal and noise signature. Users see improved reliability over small internal combustion engines, providing safe and low maintenance operation.

Key Facts About DIRECTLINK Powered UAVs
– Hydrogen is a safe and readily-available energy source
– Refilling is quick and easy – typically taking less than 3 minutes
– Reduced noise, compared to internal combustion engines, results in lower acceptable flight altitudes
– DIRECTLINK operates more efficiently at high altitudes than internal combustion engines, enabling effective use in mountainous regions
– DIRECTLINK produces no emissions

Light Rail

A new growing market segment for FCs is that of fuel cell hydrogen trains – Hydrails – that use hydrogen as fuel to generate electricity for power traction. According to a recent study, “Hydrogen trains, with zero-emission, are the best cost-competitive solution to replace diesel trains and the fuel cells and hydrogen trains can replace 30% of diesel vehicles by 2030”. This kind of transport can be deployed for set connections where the regional networks are not electrified. In this field the application of Arco Technologies technology will allow longer runs with less refueling stops and high speed – all with zero emissions.

The fast-refueling solutions based on the Arco FC technology will eliminate the need for engine idling at train stations due to long refueling time required (contrary to diesel units); this means time saving and economical value added.
The choice of Arco FC technology means:

Zero tailpipe emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases;
Lower noise pollution and increased passenger comfort including low vehicle vibration
Avoiding cost of future rail electrifications

Stationary Applications

Arco FC DIRECTLINK technology allows the stationary applications of fuel cells that can be connected to the electricity grid or not. Stationary fuel cells can provide:

– Supplemental power and back-up electricity systems to improve reliability and quality of power supply for critical infrastructure (e.g. data centers, hospitals, public security, schools, nursing homes etc.). Fuel cell powered back-up systems have a strong value proposition by flexibly safeguarding the supply during power failures with a local zero-emission technology alternative, typically for a bridging time of up to 72 hrs.

– Base-load electricity for off-grid or isolated microgrids and even as a complement to renewable energy sources. Fuel cells can act a reliable, versatile and flexible off-grid power source in various remote areas.