High Value Energy Saving Carbon Products and Clean Hydrogen Gas from Methane

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Program:
OPEN 2018
Award:
$3,475,124
Location:
Merrimack, New Hampshire
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
09/23/2019 - 06/22/2022

Technology Description:

Nanocomp Technologies will develop an industrially scalable method to convert NG to a high-value carbon material, Miralon®, while also producing H2. Converting methane to solids serves effectively as pre-combustion carbon capture. This process can occur at the megaton scale at permanent locations or a smaller scale at remote locations such as flare gas sites, where methane and other gases can be converted to more easily transported solid carbon and electricity. The carbon produced by this method is structural, and can be used to create lightweight, low-cost composite material for homes, infrastructure, and transportation. This technology offers an environmentally sound alternative to direct combustion, allowing the use of an abundant U.S. resource with minimal release of CO2.


Potential Impact:

This project’s goal is to build the technical and commercial foundation for a business to convert NG into clean H2 and a unique carbon structural material at an industrial scale.

Security:

On a per weight basis, 5 million metric tons of the high-value carbon material could replace imported structural steel, improving national security and trade balances.

Environment:

As a replacement for steel, the novel material’s weight savings to transportation alone could reduce annual domestic energy consumption by 10% and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 600 million tons per year.

Economy:

This technology enables a new generation of lightweight, high-performance composites with properties similar to carbon fiber at lower cost.


Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Jack Lewnard
Project Contact:
Mr. David Gailus
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
dgailus@nanocomptech.com

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Release Date:
12/13/2017