This agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to drexel university for hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) innovative destruction

This Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Hydrofluorocarbon Reclaim and Innovative Destruction Grants program (CFDA 66.047) provides $3,801,094 to Drexel University to develop a portable and energy-efficient device that can destroy hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) on-site. HFCs are potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning. The project aims to integrate a liquid injection incinerator and non-thermal gliding arc plasma technology to create a treatment option that can help reduce HFC emissions. Key activities include lab-scale and pilot-scale technology development, field testing, and engaging with underserved communities on environmental justice issues related to HFC impacts. The anticipated outcomes include validated HFC destruction technology, reduced toxic byproducts, increased community involvement, and improved air quality and climate benefits from efficiently destroying HFCs. The award period runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2029.

The recipient will develop a portable and energy efficient hfcs destruction device by integrating liquid injection incinerator and nonthermal gliding ARC plasma, which will provide refrigerant reclamation companies with an onsite treatment option to help reduce HFC emissions. Hfcs are man-made chemicals commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning that have negative environmental impacts when released into the atmosphere. The team of researchers will collaborate with industry stakeholders in the development of this technology and develop meaningful engagement activities with disadvantaged communities for environmental justice initiatives related to the impacts of hfcs on climate and health.activities:the activities include: procuring services for consultation on pilot-scale testing of technology in the field as well as a technology development liaison; creation of an project advisory board to help guide the development of the project; lab-scale development and testing of the technology; pilot-scale technology development and field testing; advancing technology development and technology transfer; and engaging with underserved communities to address concerns about environmental justice, including the development of educational materials.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include: the development of a project advisory committee; a competitive process to select contractors for technology development and field testing; quarterly and end of year reports; the design, construction, and testing of a demonstration technology to destroy hfcs in waste oils; analysis of final chemical products, including byproducts; increased knowledge of HFC destruction through innovative techniques; engagement with underserved communities on HFC destruction and any potential environmental justice concerns. The expected outcomes include: safe and compliant testing of HFC destruction through the development of a project advisory board; increased knowledge on this type of destruction technology, including with industry stakeholders; technology transfer to other interested entities; the development of a portable treatment technology for waste refrigerant to reduce emissions and improve climate benefits through efficiently destroying hfcs; reduced toxic by-products by controlling and minimizing the formation of harmful by-products; validated HFC destruction technology by confirming the system's ability to destroy hfcs is environmentally effective; validated environmental benefits of the HFC destruction technology; increased community involvement in environmental decision-making; reduced environmental impact by heightened public awareness. The intended beneficiaries include the public, who will benefit from improved air quality and reduced climate impacts associated with hfcs, and the destruction and reclamation industries, that benefit from improved technologies that are more efficient and innovative. In addition, direct beneficiaries of this project include funding recipients in the greater philadelphia area (PA, NJ) and additional sites that depend on the contractors selected through the competitive process.