QuestAir drives biogas-to-CNG vehicle fuel projects in Asia and Europe
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Landfill gas and green waste power opportunities in
emerging market for renewable compressed natural gas
VANCOUVER, B.C., December 18, 2008– QuestAir Technologies Inc. (“QuestAir�; AIM: QAR; TSX:
QAR) announced today that it will supply M-3200 pressure swing adsorption (PSA) systems for two unique projects that create renewable compressed natural gas (CNG) from biogas.
The projects will use QuestAir PSA systems to remove carbon dioxide and other contaminants from biogas waste streams to produce clean CNG that will power vehicles. Creating renewable vehicle fuel to replace gasoline and diesel is the highest va lue-added use of bioga s, and the process is becoming more popular in North America, Europe and now Asia.
"These two orders move QuestAir forward in an exciting direction,� said Andrew Hall, President and CEO, QuestAir Technologies. “We have made strong inroads in purifying biogas for use as a renewable substitute for natural gas, and today’s orders create further momentum for our proven, compact technology in the vehicle fuel market."
The two projects, one in Korea and the other in Austria, build on the success QuestAir has enjoyed with biogas-to-CNG projects in California and Europe.
Spezialgase und Kryotechniksysteme Limited (SKS) and Salzburg AG, a large Austrian utility provider, have ordered a new M-3200 to expand their demonstration project in Salzburg, Austria. The plant purifies biogas generated by the digestion of grass clippings and other green waste from the city’s municipal gardens, providing clean, green CNG for use as a vehicle fuel for city buses.
"We are well-acquainted with QuestAir’s technology, having successfully used a smaller M-3200 at our demonstration project,� said Franz Griesmaier, President of SKS. “When we required a new purification system for our expanding operation, QuestAir was the obvious choice due to the PSA technology’s reliability, efficiency and compact size."
SKS and Salzburg AG will continue to use their current QuestAir PSA system at another project site in Wagrain, south of Salzburg. Salzburg AG has plans to develop up to 20 additional biogas projects in Austria.
Daesung Industrial Gases Co. Ltd. is developing one of the first biogas-to-CNG projects in Asia in Kimpo City, where biogas produced at the municipal landfill will be purified to create CNG fuel for use in city vehicles. Daesung Industrial and Hansol EME, a Koreabased environmental engineering company, plan to build a large-scale biogas upgrading plant in 2010 if the demonstration project meets expectations.
QuestAir’s M-3200 PSA perfectly fits the Kimpo City project’s requirements for a reliable, cost-effective purification system with a proven track record in other biogas-to-CNG applications.
The use of CNG as a vehicle fuel is growing quickly in many areas of the world that do not have their own sources of oil. Biogas purification provides a domestic, renewable source of CNG that is supported by government policy and subsidies in many countries.
"The market for renewable natural gas continues to grow as more and more nations realize the importance of investing in green energy to replace foreign fossil fuels,� said Hall. “We believe this is a long-term trend that will continue to gain momentum as fossil fuel prices rise from today’s trough and governments around the world embrace energy security."
About QuestAir M-3200
QuestAir’s M-3200 purifies methane-containing gas streams such as anaerobic digester gas and landfill gas to high purity methane, suitable for supplementing existing natural gas supplies. The M-3200’s optimized pressure swing adsorption (“PSA�) process and proprietary rotary valve technology deliver higher efficiency than conventional PSA systems in a more compact, cost effective package. QuestAir’s M-3200 system can upgrade up to 250,000 cubic feet of biogas per day.
About QuestAir Technologies Inc.
QuestAir Technologies, Inc. is a developer and supplier of proprietary gas purification systems for several large international markets, including biogas production, natural gas processing and oil refining. QuestAir is based in Burnaby, British Columbia and its shares trade on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange Plc. and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “QAR�.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute ‘‘forward-looking’’ statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, such statements use such words as “anticipate�, “believe�, “plan�, “estimate�, “expect�, “intend�, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘will’’ and other similar terminology.
These statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward- looking statements.
Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking� statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, such statements use such words as “anticipate�, “believe�, “plan�, “estimate�, “expect�, “intend�, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘will’’ and other similar terminology. These statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.
For further information, please contact:
QuestAir Technologies Inc.
Andrew Hall
Phone: (001) 604-453-6967
Email: hall@questairinc.com
www.questairinc.com
Canaccord Adams:
Robert Finlay
Phone: +44 (0) 207 050 6500
Or:
Sherry Tryssennaar
Phone: (001)604-453-6902
Email:tryssenaar@questairinc.com
Media contact:
Ian Noble and Steve Burega
Karyo Communications
Phone: (001)604-623-3007
ian.noble@karyo-edelman.com
stephen.burega@karyo-edelman.com |
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