CX-100948 High-Temperature Reactor Catalyst Material Development for Low-Cost and Efficient Solar-Driven Sulfur-Based Processes

High-Temperature Reactor Catalyst Material Development for Low-Cost and Efficient Solar-Driven Sulfur-Based Processes
Award Number: DE-EE0008091
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.6, B3.15
Fuel Cells Technologies Office
Location(s): SC
Office(s): Golden Field Office

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to Greenway Energy LLC for materials research and testing of new catalytic materials for advanced photoelectrochemical water splitting devices to create hydrogen gas for use in fuel cell generators. In addition a techno-economic analysis of a solar driven process, based on the new catalyst, would be completed, identifying suitable solar-chemical plant configurations that allow high efficiency and targeted hydrogen production cost. Project work would occur at Greenway Energy’s research and development facility (Aiken, SC) in conjunction with the University of South Carolina (USC) in Columbia, South Carolina and collaboration is expected to occur with the HydroGEN Energy Materials Network National Laboratory consortium. 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.

The proposed project activities include the development, fabrication and long term testing of a new catalyst formulation for sulfuric acid decomposition. All proposed activities consist of desktop research, data analysis, materials synthesis, and bench-scale laboratory work. Project work would occur in existing laboratories designed for this type of work that would utilize standard laboratory equipment; 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 for project activities. The project would involve the use and handling of various hazardous materials, including semiconductors, acids, solvents, oxygen gas, and hydrogen gas. All such handling would occur in-lab and follow proper hazardous material handling and disposal practices. All hazardous materials would be managed and disposed of in accordance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. All chemicals, preparation procedures, and waste products proposed in this project would be the same as those currently used in ongoing research projects at Greenway Energy and USC, which are conducted within the guidelines of existing health and safety policies and procedures. Existing health and safety policies and procedures include employee training, proper protective equipment, engineering controls, monitoring, and internal assessments. Nanoscale materials (Group VIII and Group IA metal particles maintained on inorganic metal oxide supports) would be utilized during project activities. These materials are already being used in the laboratories associated with the project or similar laboratories so there would be no new risks associated with any of these materials. DOE does not anticipate any impacts to resources of concern due to the proposed activities of the project.