CX-100681 Categorical Exclusion Determination

Integrated Insulation System for Automotive Cryogenic Storage Tanks
Award Number: DE-EE0007649
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6
Fuel Cell Technologies Office
Date: 8/5/2016
Location(s): FL
Office(s): Golden Field Office

VENCORE Services and Solutions, Inc. (Vencore) would utilize DOE and cost share funding to develop an integrated insulation system for cryogenic automotive tank applications. Vencore would perform modeling, development, evaluation, testing, and fabrication of cryogenic storage vessels at the Cryogenic Test Laboratory (CTL) located at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Savannah River National Laboratory would provide engineering and technical model analyses and Energy Florida would assess the commercialization and manufacturability of the concept. Insulation materials and high-pressure composite tanks used to fabricate cryogenic storage vessels at CTL would be manufactured at Aspen Aerogel’s facility in Northborough, Massachusetts and Hexagon Composites facility in Lincoln, Nebraska respectively.

This project involves the use and handling of cryogens, specifically, liquid nitrogen and insulation materials. Existing laboratory procedures at the CTL are in place discussing the cryogenic hazard and the required safety protocols, including personal protective equipment. These procedures include employee training, engineering controls, monitoring, and internal assessments. Additional policies and procedures would be implemented as necessary as new health/safety risks are identified. Safety data sheets would be available for any insulation material used at the CTL. Prior to any testing, the Safety office would be contacted for concurrence to proceed with testing. Aspen Aerogel and Hexagon Composites, as established manufacturers of insulation materials and tanks, have existing corporate health and safety policies and procedures that cover any hazardous materials utilized in the manufacturing process. These procedures would be followed to ensure compliance with applicable health and safety regulations and to minimize health and safety risks to employees. All facilities comply with federal fire, safety, hazardous waste removal, and emergency plan regulations. All non-hazardous waste generated would be disposed of in accordance with established guidelines at each facility. Project activities would result in minimal air emissions and would not require any physical modification to existing facilities, ground disturbing activities, or installation of equipment outdoors. There would be no change in use, mission, or operation of any facility.