{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":10349,"title":"Hydrogen Recovery System","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10896,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10893,"level":3,"code":"TX13.1.3","title":"Commodity Recovery","definition":"Commodity conservation and recovery technologies are needed to optimize use of mission consumables and recover unused commodities in systems, commodities used to condition systems (such as purging), or commodities that are mixed with other constituents as a part of a process.","exampleTechnologies":"Helium waste stream recovery; hydrogen pooling mitigation; purge systems optimization, water recovery, helium purge instrumentation, helium capture, storage, and re-purification systems, alternative purge approaches for hydrogen","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":5,"currentTrl":7,"endTrl":7,"benefits":"The emergence of hydrogen-based economy necessitates the ability to pump and compress large amounts of hydrogen. A range of products based on the HRS will help deliver hydrogen to fueling stations and provide compression for vehicular refueling. Assuming the adoption of a pipeline hydrogen-based infrastructure, there is a need to pump the hydrogen along the pipeline to fueling stations. A medium to large size fueling station would require 300 lbs per day of hydrogen, which at 500 psi is 1,730 cf. A 30 CFM HRS would allow a fueling station to store a day's worth of fuel in 2 hours. Hydrogen powered vehicles require hydrogen at 6,000 10,000 psi to facilitate efficient volumetric storage. Therefore an HRS with a high capacity, high pressure cell design would be a valuable tool to support a hydrogen-based economy.
There are several NASA applications that can take advantage of the underlying technologies that support Sustainable Innovations' HRS. Primary needs are to separate and recover hydrogen and helium from rocket engine test stands. For in-situ resource utilization there are needs for recirculation of hydrogen and to facilitate pneumatic transport. Terrestrial NASA applications include capturing, purifying and compressing purge gas for various experimental test stands. The requirement to separate hydrogen from CO2 and CO exists in life support applications. The HRS being developed here supports efficient separation of these constituents without moving parts. Hydrogen/oxygen fuel cell systems are being studied as a means of providing efficient energy storage for many different NASA missions. Long-term missions are hampered by the fact that residual helium often exists in the hydrogen fuel tanks. An HRS can alleviate this problem by removing the helium.","description":"Rocket test operations at NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) result in substantial quantities of hydrogen gas that is flared from the facility and helium gas that is vented. One way to save on the cost of test operations is to recover these gases using an electrochemical system. This Hydrogen Recovery System (HRS) selectively removes hydrogen from the mixed stream, leaving behind high-value helium. The system then removes residual water vapor from this helium and compresses it to commercial storage pressure. The heart of the HRS is a system platform under commercial development by Sustainable Innovations, termed H2RENEWTM, an electrochemical system package that separates and compresses hydrogen using Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology. The system being developed in this Phase II STTR program targets a hydrogen removal rate of 1.77 scfm, an outlet hydrogen pressure of 200 psi, and a product helium pressure of 2,000 2,500 psi. This system leverages a robust novel Expandable Modular Architecture (EMA) electrochemical cell stack that is capable of being constructed with a very large production capacity and high operating pressure.","startYear":2011,"startMonth":7,"endYear":2014,"endMonth":9,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":506869,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Trent","lastName":"Molter","fullName":"Trent Molter","fullNameInverted":"Molter, Trent","primaryEmail":"tmolter@skyre-inc.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":3164314,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jonathan","lastName":"Dickey","fullName":"Jonathan Dickey","fullNameInverted":"Dickey, Jonathan","primaryEmail":"Jonathan.C.Dickey@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[],"transitions":[{"transitionId":66371,"projectId":10349,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2011-07-01","path":"Advanced From","relatedProjectId":10301,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":10301,"title":"Hydrogen Recovery System","startTrl":3,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"Large amounts of cryogenic hydrogen are utilized in high-volume merchant hydrogen applications. Hydrogen boiloff is a critical cost and safety factor for each of these applications. The development of a means of capturing and recycling this hydrogen in the form of a high pressure, storable gas can yield significant economic benefits to the end user.
NASA currently uses large amounts of cryogenic hydrogen to support cryogenic rocket testing. Much of this hydrogen is lost during the test process due to boil-off resulting from heat transferred into the equipment. Recovery and recycle of this hydrogen can provide a significant cost savings for NASA's test facilities. In addition, regenerative fuel cells are being examined as a potentially viable technology for energy storage in both space vehicles and planetary/lunar bases. The ability to efficiently store gaseous hydrogen is a critical capability in this application. The technology being developed as part of the HRS can be instrumental in assisting with this energy storage requirement.","description":"Liquid hydrogen is used extensively by NASA to support cryogenic rocket testing. In addition, there are many commercial applications in which delivery and use of cryogenic hydrogen is more economical than gaseous hydrogen. Unfortunately, loss of hydrogen resulting from boiloff can both increase the cost of the end product and create safety concerns. Sustainable Innovations and its teammates, The University of Connecticut and FuelCell Energy, Inc., are developing a highly efficient Hydrogen Recovery System (HRS) based on an electrochemical process that converts cool, gaseous hydrogen to pure, high pressure hydrogen that can be stored for subsequent use. We anticipate that this can bring significant cost savings to NASA's rocket test facilities, and open up exciting new avenues for product commercialization.","startYear":2010,"startMonth":1,"endYear":2011,"endMonth":1,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":432,"endDateString":"Jan 2011","startDateString":"Jan 2010"},"infoText":"Advanced from another project within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Hydrogen Recovery System)","dateText":"July 2011"},{"transitionId":66372,"projectId":10349,"transitionDate":"2014-09-01","path":"Closed Out","closeoutDocuments":[{"title":"Final Summary Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":306292,"fileName":"STTR_2009_2_FSC_T10.01-9906","fileSize":74713,"objectId":66372,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":1841,"code":"TRANSITION_FILES","description":"Transition Files","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"fileSizeString":"73.0 KB"},"transitionId":66372,"fileId":306292}],"infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"September 2014"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"supportingOrganizations":[{"canUserEdit":false,"city":"East Hartford","congressionalDistrict":"Connecticut 01","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":true,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":302,"organizationName":"Skyre, Inc.","organizationType":"Industry","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"CT","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Connecticut","stateTerritoryId":22},"stateTerritoryId":22,"msiData":{},"setAsideData":["Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)"],"ein":"593761391 ","dunsNumber":"795426746","uei":"JSAVQFD9WEX8","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"Industry"},{"acronym":"SSC","canUserEdit":false,"city":"Stennis Space Center","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4859,"organizationName":"Stennis Space Center","organizationType":"NASA_Center","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"MS","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Mississippi","stateTerritoryId":41},"stateTerritoryId":41,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"},{"canUserEdit":false,"city":"Storrs","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":true,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":9928,"organizationName":"The University of Connecticut","organizationType":"Academia","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"CT","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Connecticut","stateTerritoryId":22},"stateTerritoryId":22,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"Academia"}],"statesWithWork":[{"abbreviation":"CT","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Connecticut","stateTerritoryId":22},{"abbreviation":"MS","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Mississippi","stateTerritoryId":41}],"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":1922,"endDateString":"Sep 2014","startDateString":"Jul 2011"}}