DEAR0002076

This project aims to demonstrate a groundbreaking caustic aqueous phase reforming (C-APR) technology to produce carbon-negative, clean hydrogen (H2) from raw bioethanol.

Bioethanol, a widely distributed feedstock in the U.S., is a key component due to its broad availability and the U.S.'s status as a leading producer.

The C-APR technology enables clean H2 production at or below $3/kg, which will power high-temperature fuel cells for grid-free electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

These stations offer a sustainable, versatile solution to support the U.S.'s growing EV fleet while minimizing impact on an already strained electric grid.

The C-APR system generates highly pure H2 (= 99%) at temperatures below 250°C and pressures under 40 bar, without the need for membranes or other CO2 separation technologies that would otherwise significantly increase its operational cost.

For our C-APR technology, CO2 from bioethanol is converted in situ into liquid bicarbonate using caustic chemistry, allowing further transformation into value-added carbon products, thus achieving carbon-negative H2 production.

By utilizing waste heat to sustain the C-APR process, the system efficiently supports its own steady-state operation.

Aligned with ARPA-E’s mission, the proposed technology promises economic, environmental, and energy security benefits by reducing dependence on foreign energy and lowering net greenhouse gas emissions.

Washington State University

THIS FOA MARKS THE SIXTH OPEN SOLICITATION IN THE HISTORY OF ARPA-E. SINCE THE AGENCY’S INCEPTION IN 2009, THE THREE-YEAR PERIODIC CYCLE OF ARPA-E OPEN PROGRAMS HAVE SERVED AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE TRANSFORMATIVE ENERGY BREAKTHROUGHS IN CRITICAL AREAS THAT FALL OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF ITS TECHNOLOGY-FOCUSED PROGRAMS. THE ENERGY TRANSITION TOWARDS NET-ZERO BY 2050 DEMANDS AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF INNOVATION. VISION OPEN 2024 CHALLENGES THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP GROUNDBREAKING TECHNOLOGIES TO ENABLE A FUTURE ENERGY LANDSCAPE THAT IS DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT. THE VISION OPEN 2024 INCLUDES THREE GOALS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO ACHIEVE A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND CARBON TRANSITION WITH: 1. GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG)-FREE ABUNDANT PRIMARY ENERGY; 2. AN INTERMODAL ENERGY SUPERHIGHWAY THAT TRANSPORTS DIVERSIFIED FORMS OF PRIMARY ENERGY; AND 3. A CARBON TRANSITION THAT SUSTAINABLY MEETS DEMAND FOR POLYMERS AND OTHER MATERIALS. THESE GOALS WILL ENABLE A NOVEL AND ROBUST GLOBAL ENERGY SYSTEM THAT RESPONSIBLY MEETS THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS. ACHIEVING THESE THREE GOALS BY 2050 WILL NECESSITATE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF DISRUPTIVE AND AMBITIOUS TECHNOLOGIES AT AN UNPARALLELED SPEED AND SCALE.

81.135 - Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy

Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) [DOE]

Pullman, Washington United States

City-Wide

Vision OPEN 2024 (DE-FOA-0003387)