The U.S. Department of Energy announced this week the handing out of more money from taxpayers….$136 million for 66 selected projects to support the research and development of transformational technologies essential for reducing energy demand and improving American productivity in key industrial subsectors.
None went to any projects in Oklahoma.
The selected projects will advance technology solutions for core portions of our nation’s industrial base, including the manufacturing of chemicals and fuels, iron and steel, cement and concrete, forest and paper products, food and beverage, glass and other industries. Together, these industries account for over 75% of the U.S. industrial energy demand, employ roughly 13 million Americans, and contribute roughly $27 trillion to U.S. GDP.
Projects were selected in the following six topic areas:
- Chemicals and Fuels
- Iron and Steel
- Food and Beverage Products
- Building and Infrastructure
- Forest Products
- Industrial Pre-FEED Studies
A $2,374,142 grant went to an Omaha, Nebraska firm for a study of avoiding the use of petroleum-based feedstocks that face supply chain issues.
Bluestem Biosciences will demonstrate the biological conversion of biomass to ethyl acrylate (EA) using two novel chemical pathways that avoid using petroleum-based feedstocks that face supply chain issues. Currently, EA is used as a “building block” molecule for chemical products like paints and personal care products.
A $2 million grant went to Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri in a study of “Supplementary cementitious materials” which are powders added to concrete to replace portland cement or blended cements.
The University of Missouri-Columbia received $2,651,506 in federal funding for study and development of an advanced heat pump wood dryer. The study will also address the high energy consumption and carbon emissions of traditional dryers.
Iowa State University received $1,680,000 to intensify the pulping process compared to conventional kraft pulping by developing a novel electrified acid hydrotropic pulping technology.
The government also awarded $1.5 million to the Mississippi Lime Company in St. Louis, Missouri to demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of integrating, implementing, and operating a net-zero lime manufacturing system.