Real world solutions, proven impact.

In partnership with the California Energy Commission’s Energy Innovations Small Grant (EISG) program, CHA Corporation developed and tested a microwave-based system to address hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in dairy digester biogas and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in engine exhaust. Funded by EISG Grant #07-08, the project demonstrated the effectiveness of using granular activated carbon (GAC) in a microwave treatment system to economically meet California Air Resources Board’s 2007 emission standards.

The system achieved over 95% H₂S destruction through reactions with either NOx or oxygen and demonstrated efficient NOx removal with rapid GAC regeneration via microwave energy. While H₂S adsorption on regular GAC proved impractical, the project showcased the potential of advanced microwave-induced reactions to provide cleaner, more sustainable solutions for biogas purification and emission control in California’s dairy industry.

CHA Corporation developed a microwave-based system to safely and efficiently treat environmentally hazardous rocket propellant, explosive, and pyrotechnic (PEP) wastes produced during research, development, and testing by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards Air Force Base. Designed for small-scale operations, the system handles 15 to 30 pounds of PEP waste per month, providing a sustainable and effective solution for managing hazardous materials in aerospace applications.

CHA Corporation developed a microwave-based system to remove siloxanes, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and other contaminants from biogas. These impurities can damage combustion equipment and disrupt post-combustion emission systems designed for NOx, SOx, and hydrocarbon removal. This innovative technology ensures cleaner biogas, enhancing equipment performance and supporting more efficient, sustainable energy production.

West Biofuels has developed an advanced biomass gasification system that produces high-quality syngas for integrated cogeneration. Under California Energy Commission Grant #PIR-11-008, this innovative thermochemical conversion system is being demonstrated using various agricultural feedstocks.

As part of this project, CHA Corporation is responsible for controlling air pollutants from the combustor exhaust to meet California Air Resource Board standards for NOx, VOC, and SO₂ emissions. CHA Corporation designed and installed a carbon adsorption system and relocated its trailer-mounted microwave carbon regeneration system to West Biofuels to support efficient and sustainable emission control.

Funded by $850,000 in SBIR Phase I and II grants from the Army Research Office, the CHA Corporation developed a Self-Contained Automated Vehicle Washing System with Microwave Decontamination. In partnership with OctaFlex Environmental Systems, the project integrates microwave technology into the Containerized Assembled Washdown Facility (CAWF) system to efficiently wash and decontaminate military vehicles. The system was demonstrated at Blount Island Command in Jacksonville, FL, and Millennium Dragon in Gulfport, MS, and an operational unit was installed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where it remains in use.

This advanced system features four modules: Vehicle Wash Bays, Solids Separation and Decontamination, Water Storage and Decontamination, and Vapor Decontamination. Capable of washing and decontaminating up to four M1 A2 battle tanks per hour, it provides a sustainable, high-efficiency solution for military vehicle maintenance and environmental protection.

Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) uses hypergolic fuels, such as hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide (N₂O₄), for the launch of space delivery vehicles. These fuels are highly toxic, and while liquid scrubbers have been used to remove toxic components before venting gases into the atmosphere, they produce hazardous waste streams that require additional processing.

To address this challenge, CHA Corporation constructed and installed two microwave scrubbers at VAFB. These systems use a combination of activated carbon and microwave energy to completely destroy N₂O₄ and hydrazine vapor streams, leaving only inert, harmless materials without generating hazardous waste. The innovative technology offers a cleaner, more cost-effective solution for processing hypergolic fuel emissions, significantly reducing atmospheric venting and toxic waste production. The microwave scrubbers have completed start-up tests, and CHA Corporation is currently supporting a one-year technology verification process.