ClearSign Technologies Corporation, a pioneer in industrial combustion and sensing technologies, is making significant strides in its mission to transform industrial processes for enhanced energy efficiency, safety, and reduced emissions.
The company has received a collaboration commitment and additional funding for its 100% Hydrogen Ultra Low NOx burner project from Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), marking a critical step toward decarbonizing hard-to-electrify industries.
SoCalGas has pledged financial support, building upon the SBIR program Phase 2 Award of $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, which was previously announced. This additional support is set to propel the project into its commercialization phase, aiming to revolutionize industries in Southern California and beyond.
The collaboration between ClearSign and SoCalGas centers on the development of ultra-low NOx hydrogen burner technology, a pivotal innovation that can facilitate the adoption of hydrogen fuel for industrial heating. This adoption promises to usher in substantial reductions in carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions, aligning perfectly with global efforts to combat climate change.
One of the primary challenges in decarbonizing industrial combustion processes using hydrogen fuel has been the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Current burners have struggled to burn pure hydrogen while effectively limiting NOx emissions. However, ClearSign’s project aims to change this paradigm.
In Phase One, ClearSign achieved a significant milestone by successfully integrating hydrogen and hydrogen blending into a prototype process burner while maintaining NOx levels below 5 parts per million (ppm). Phase Two, which spans the next two years, involves scaling up the burner’s capacity from 2 MMBtu per hour to 8 MMBtu per hour. This phase will see real-world deployment in commercial industrial settings where high heat is essential.
SoCalGas, known for its commitment to clean energy innovation, recognizes the significance of projects like ClearSign’s in decarbonizing industries that are challenging to electrify. The company is actively involved in several initiatives to help California achieve its net-zero emissions goal by 2045.
One of SoCalGas’ flagship projects is the proposed Angeles Link, a green hydrogen pipeline system designed to deliver clean, renewable energy to the Los Angeles region. This ambitious endeavor, potentially the largest of its kind in the nation, aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors, including electric generation, industrial processes, and heavy-duty transportation.
Additionally, SoCalGas is working alongside the state of California to develop a hydrogen blending standard through pilot projects. These projects will provide valuable insights into delivering renewable hydrogen via the existing natural gas infrastructure, driving down hydrogen costs and fostering the growth of a hydrogen market.
