An Advanced Modular Redox Air Separation System for Cost-Effective, Net-Zero Hydrogen Production

North Carolina State University (NCSU) will develop a redox-based, radically engineered modular air separation unit (REM-ASU) that generates oxygen (O2) at reduced capital cost and energy consumption. Specifically, technical objectives include: (1) developing advanced steam-resistant O2 sorbents with greater than 2 wt% O2 capacity and high activity for efficient O2 generation without a vacuum desorption step; (2) demonstrating the REM-ASU system in a 20 kg/day test bed to validate the sorbent robustness and process performance; (3) designing the REM-ASU for integration with a 5–10 megawatt (MW) modular biomass gasifier with greater than 35% energy and cost reduction for greater than 98% O2 generation compared to conventional ASUs. A techno-economics report and detailed commercialization plan based on information obtained from the design and operation of the pilot unit, combined with process modeling and a techno-economic analysis, will be submitted at the end of the project.