Empire Diversified Energy (Empire) and Heartland Water Technology (Heartland) are partnering to develop a cutting-edge facility that converts food waste into renewable hydrogen and carbon.
This facility will be part of the Department of Energy’s Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2), aimed at enhancing communities in the Appalachian region through hydrogen capture, utilization, and storage.
“The project not only aligns with our vision to redefine waste, it underscores the critical role of renewable hydrogen in shaping a sustainable, circular economy. Hydrogen is more than an energy carrier; it represents a cornerstone for future sustainability goals,” said Chris Beaufait, CEO of Heartland.
The process begins with treating food waste in an anaerobic digester to produce biogas and residual solid materials known as digestate. Heartland will then use its proprietary HelioStorm ultra-high temperature ionic gasifier to perform methane pyrolysis, converting biogas into clean hydrogen and sustainable carbon. Additionally, Heartland will process the digestate similarly to produce ultra-pure, tar-free synthesis gas, which can be used to generate clean energy.
“By leveraging this hub as a pivotal platform for collaboration, research, and development, we aim to demonstrate how strategic investments in decentralized hydrogen infrastructure and technology can yield significant environmental and economic benefits,” said Bernard Brown, Empire COO.
