CX-100710 Categorical Exclusion Determination

Development of Magnesium Boride Etherates as Hydrogen Storage Materials
Award Number: DE-EE0007654
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Fuel Cell Technologies Office
Date: 8/22/2016
Location(s): HI
Office(s): Golden Field Office

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to the University of Hawaii at Manoa for the synthesis and characterization of magnesium boride etherates, their reversible hydrogen cycling, and the optimization of magnesium boride etherates hydrogen storage properties. Project work would occur within dedicated laboratory facilities at the University of Hawaii. This is a three-year research project that includes three budget periods. Only Budget Period 1 (BP1) is being negotiated at this time so this NEPA review is for BP1 activities only. Additional NEPA review will be required if DOE proposes to continue funding the project into subsequent budget periods.

This project includes chemical engineering and material science activities related to the synthesis, characterization, hydrogenation, and hydrogen cycling of metal boride compounds. All project activities would utilize standard laboratory equipment and would occur in existing laboratories designed for this type of work; therefore no modifications, new permits, additional licenses and/or authorizations would be necessary. No ground disturbing activities, no changes in operation of existing facilities, and no installation of equipment outdoors would occur at either of the facilities involved in the project. Potential hazards during the project include physical hazards such as gas under pressure and flammables and health hazards such as acute toxicity, eye irritation and carcinogenicity. Various hazardous materials would be handled as part of this project. The handling of all hazardous materials would take place inside the laboratory.