H2Pump LLC and the University of South Carolina will enhance the purification of impure hydrogen streams generated from the reformation of logistics fuel for use in fuel cells through the application of high temperature polybenzimidazole (PBI) membrane-based electrochemical hydrogen pump (EHP) technology. The effort will extend H2Pump LLCs current reformate tolerant PBI EHP technology to include hydrogen sulfide (H2S) impurities. The University of South Carolina will assess the operating window of hydrogen streams containing H2S, while H2Pump LLC will evaluate the impact of such gases on lifetime, efficiency, and hydrogen purification capability. H2Pump LLC is uniquely suited to address the objectives of this effort, as EHP using high temperature membranes (PBI) is its sole commercialization focus.
Benefit: The market opportunity for electrochemical hydrogen pumping (EHP) technology is immediate, large, and growing, creating the momentum to drive successful commercialization of this innovative technology. The market focus for H2 Pump LLC is expected to be application driven in those markets where current mechanical technology is either ineffective and/or doesnt exist. The technology can adapt to numerous applications in numerous industries and commercial sectors, including: heat treating and other metallurgical processes, ceramic manufacturing, glass and semiconductor production, and light emitting diode (LED) manufacturing. Much of the hydrogen used in these applications is not consumed or otherwise utilized for its heat or chemical value, and as a result ends up being vented or combusted into the atmosphere creating a significant market opportunity for H2Pump technology. Additionally, as the hydrogen economy emerges we are positioning product(s) to offer purification and pressurization solutions for transportation, refueling, and general infrastructure needs. The ability to recycle unused hydrogen in a variety of these applications will also be particularly compelling. The application of high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane (HTPEM) fuel cells can result in clean and efficient shipboard electrical energy production. Such fuel cells will be fueled with hydrogen generated from the reformation of logistics fuel. But hydrogen from reformed logistics fuel must be sufficiently purified to enable lifetime, durability, and efficiency targets of the fuel cell. More specifically, the removal of gas phase species such as CO and H2S is critical, as such gases can negatively impact the electro-catalysts used in the fuel cells. Additionally, CO2 and N2 act as diluents, further reducing fuel cell efficiency. The removal/reduction of all these species is imperative to the successful implementation fuel cells. H2Pump LLCs technology can perform this critical task. H2Pump LLCs technology has been shown to recover 95% of the hydrogen found in gas streams comprising 55% hydrogen. Data derived from long term prototype recycling operations has shown the operating and capital costs to be as low as a few kW-hrs/kg, leading to a short payback scenario due a significant reduction in hydrogen consumption. Gasified biomass and coal are predicted to be two of the primary paths for hydrogen generation in the next few decades. The quantitative commercialization results from this STTR project can be significant. In particular, costs associated with the processing of gasified coal and biomass (which contain hydrogen sulfide) can be significantly reduced through the process simplifications enabled through successful integration this technology. Beyond existing industrial hydrogen users, this technology is directly applicable to the emerging hydrogen energy market. It is clear that alternative sources of energy will be required in the near future and hydrogen will be part of the solution. H2Pump LLCs technology will help enable the efficient and cost-effective production of hydrogen from various sources (biomass, coal, or any hydrocarbon fuel). Overall, the successful commercialization of this technology will increase energy efficiency of existing industries and help enable the emerging hydrogen energy market, ultimately leading to environmental benefits and a competitive advantage for United States industries.
Keywords: Logistics Fuel, high temperature membrane, Hydrogen Sulfide, Purification, hydrogen, Electrochemical, Reformate, hydrogen pumping
