Among the funding recipients the University of Pittsburgh was awarded $ 800,000 for fossil energy research and the Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh received $1.4 million. Hydrogen research grants went to Media and Process Technology in Pittsburgh ($2.6 million) and Air Products and Chemicals in Allentown ($4.7 million).
The University of Pittsburgh will design, synthesize, and evaluate highly carbon dioxide (CO2) soluble compounds capable of associating in CO2 and forming large viscosity-enhancing macromolecules. The goal of this research is to provide the oil industry with the first economically viable CO2 thickening agent. The project is expected to take three years.
The Carnegie Mellon University will develop the next-generation EXPLORER – a wireless, self-powered visual and robotic platform for live and real-time in-pipe natural gas main inspections. The objective is a field-worthy, in-pipe robot system that can be adapted with modular sensor units for various kinds of pipe-wall inspections. The prototype vehicle will take advantage of advances in sensor development and integrate a third-party plug-and-ply sensor module into the vehicle train before it is demonstrated under realistic field conditions. The project will take two years.
Media and Process Technology will develop a membrane system that combines the water-gas-shift reaction for hydrogen production with a membrane for hydrogen purification into a single step. The single stage operation under the low temperature shift condition is a great opportunity to reduce hydrogen production capital and operating costs. The cost of hydrogen is a major barrier to commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. Partners include Johnson Matthey Catalyst, ChevronTexaco and the University of Southern California and will take three years.
Air Products and Chemicals will develop a reversible liquid-phase hydrogen carrier technology for transporting hydrogen from its central production facility to the point of use. Partners include United Technology Research Center and the Energy Institute at Penn State University and the project will take four years.
