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High Temperature High Efficiency PEM Electrolysis

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-SC0011310
Agency Tracking Number: 210127
Amount: $999,987.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 13a
Solicitation Number: DE-FOA-0000969
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2014
Award Year: 2014
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2014-02-18
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2016-11-17
Small Business Information
89 Rumford Avenue
Newton, MA 02466-1311
United States
DUNS: 066594979
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Cortney Mittelsteadt
 Dr.
 (781) 529-0529
 cmittelsteadt@ginerinc.com
Business Contact
 Anthony Vaccaro
Title: Dr.
Phone: (781) 529-0504
Email: avaccaro@ginerinc.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Electrolysis of water is an important tool for automotive hydrogen refueling and renewable energy storage applications. The current membranes for electrolysis suffer from low efficiency, low mechanical strength and high hydrogen crossover at the high pressures needed for direct refueling. The DOE has identified a need for high-pressure electrolyzer efficiencies to reach 76% based on lower heating value of hydrogen by 2015. The completion of this proposed project will satisfy this goal with a novel high-efficiency, durable membrane for high-pressure electrolysis. This project will examine different membrane chemistries and additives in an effort to increase electrolyzer efficiency through a novel MEA. This MEA will be operated at higher than usual temperature and will withstand operation at high differential pressure through the use of this company’s proprietary technology. Phase I will consist of fabricating membranes of various chemistries with the goal of increasing high-pressure efficiency. These membranes will be extensively characterized, with the top performers identified by the end of Phase I. Phase II will encompass short-term durability and performance testing of the membranes as electrolysis membrane electrode assemblies in moderate-pressure cells, with tasks for further membrane improvement from data gathered. Phase II ends with long-term durability testing of the top MEAs in multi-cell stack configurations and full (5000 psi) pressure. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits This technology is essential for commercial hydrogen refueling and energy storage from green sources such as wind and solar.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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