INL Innovation Spotlight H2 CURE: Transforming Carbon Emissions into Clean Hydrogen Energy

INL Innovation Spotlight

H2 CURE: Transforming Carbon Emissions into Clean Hydrogen Energy

H2 CURE converts CO2 into hydrogen, providing a net-negative emission solution by transforming pollutants into clean thermal energy, addressing the need for sustainable industrial processes.

Overview:        

The quest for sustainable energy solutions has led to the development of H2 CURE, a pivotal technology designed to combat the escalating global CO2 emissions, estimated at over 31 gigatons annually. This innovative approach provides a clean source of thermal energy and addresses the critical gap in emission mitigation strategies by consuming CO2 emissions directly. Its introduction is timely as the global energy landscape shifts towards more sustainable, clean energy solutions to meet the demands of growing economies while striving for net-zero emissions. Targeting industries with significant CO2 outputs, H2 CURE offers a dual advantage by serving both hydrogen production and carbon capture and utilization sectors (CCUS), presenting a lucrative opportunity for entities aiming to achieve or contribute to net-zero emissions.

Description:   

H2 CURE stands out by utilizing water and captured CO2 in a metal or metal oxide presence to produce hydrogen and a carbonate salt byproduct. This process yields hydrogen for thermal energy applications and achieves net-negative emissions by consuming more CO2 than it emits. Unlike other carbon capture technologies, H2 CURE’s carbonate salt byproduct offers additional commercial value or can be disposed of safely, ensuring permanent CO2 removal from the atmosphere.

Benefits:          

• Net-Negative Emissions: For every kilogram of hydrogen produced, 22 kilograms of CO2 are consumed, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Commercially Viable Byproduct: The carbonate salt byproduct can be sold, adding an economic incentive to the environmental benefits.
• Versatility and Scalability: Applicable across scales, from minor to extensive industrial processes, without significant energy inputs for the reaction.
• No Need for Hydrogen Storage: Direct use of hydrogen in thermal systems eliminates the challenges associated with hydrogen storage.
• Sustainable and Safe: Locks CO2 in a mineral form, avoiding the risks associated with other sequestration methods.

Applications:    

• Government and private sectors aiming for net-zero emissions.
• Industries with high CO2 emissions are looking for sustainable energy solutions.
• Hydrogen production for industrial processes, particularly where clean thermal energy is required.

Development Status: 

TRL 1 - Basic principles observed. Further experimental and market analysis is required before moving to bench-scale demonstrations.

IP Status:        

Provisional Patent Application No. 63/627,713, “Methods for Producing Hydrogen Gas and Thermal Energy, and Related Systems,” BEA Docket No. BA-1452.

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INL’s Technology Deployment department focuses exclusively on licensing intellectual property and partnering with industry collaborators capable of commercializing our innovations. Our goal is to commercialize the technologies developed by INL researchers. We do not engage in purchasing, manufacturing, procurement decisions, or providing funding. Additionally, this is not a call for external services to assist in the development of this technology.