U.S.Dept. of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, Acquisition & Assistance Div.,P.O.Box 10940, MS921-143, Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940

A -- SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT POC William R. Mundorf, Contract Specialist, (412) 892-4483. Research and Development Advance Notice. The Department of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, is contemplating research efforts leading to technology demonstration in the area of coprocessing fossil fuels (coal and resid) and municipal solid wastes for producing a source of premium liquid fuels and valuable chemicals as by-products. The Department believes that benefits associated with coprocessing include, improved plant operability, increased product value and more favorable economics than processing of either wastes or coal alone. We are interested in aiding in the formulation of non-federal project teams that would eventually demonstrate either the reference or alternate technologies (described later). This synopsis is for advance industry notification of the government's intent for further procurement activities and is seeking a broad-based response from stakeholders and developers alike. This is NOT a formal solicitation and is NOT a request for proposals and is not to be construed as a commitment by the government. Interested entities must submit written responses to: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, ATTN: W.R. Mundorf, MS-921, P.O. Box 10940, Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940 (FAX: 412/892-6216, Internet Address: Mundorf@petc.doe.gov), TELEPHONE RESPONSES WILL NOT BE HONORED. Responses will be used to identify entities interested in providing input for focusing the research program and to develop a source list of potential proposers/participants for future solicitation(s). Responses should be limited to about 5-10 pages. Information should be submitted pertinent to the technical and business areas of interest, desired role in the research activity (i.e. stakeholder, sponsor, user, or developer), experience of the entity and personnel, and a description of the applicable technology that can result in a demonstration program and commercialization. It is contemplated the program would have a nominal performance period of 5-7 years. The work would progress in three distinct phases. The initial period would focus on concept design, lab/bench-scale testing, teaming initialization, site screening and/or technology evaluation. Second would be verification of the technology, teaming and funding arrangements. Last, would be proof testing of the technology. The total program is estimated at about $30 million. It should be noted that non-federal project cost-sharing is required of not less than 20% in the first portion and rises to at least 50% in the final portion. It is expected that multiple awards would be made initially. The Department of Energy's Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC) is considering developing a program for Advanced Waste Processing. It would provide a means of managing landfill waste in a manner that is acceptable to the public and industry for an issue of growing concern. While waste minimization and recycling can significantly decrease this problem, much high-energy-content material will continue to be sent to landfills. The goal of this program is to provide the nation by 2005 with processing options capable of converting these high-energy wastes into liquid fuels, at $25 per barrel (required selling price in mid-1996 dollars) or less. Some of the technological areas that might meet this goal include: REFERENCE TECHNOLOGY (1) Direct liquefaction technology with coal: PETC is already investigating the addition of waste materials (plastics, used oils and tires) as well as heavy oils and resids to the direct coal liquefaction process and preliminary results are encouraging. Work remains to be done in areas of feed preparation, thermodynamic properties for scale-up data, product upgrading, process engineering, and economics. Other solid waste materials such as automotive shredder residue and cellulosic materials will be studied. ALTERNATE TECHNICAL APPROACHES: capable of addressing any/all elements of the municipal solid waste stream, (2) Indirect liquefaction with coal: Waste materials and coal could be gasified and the resulting syngas converted to liquid fuels through Fischer-Tropsch or oxygenate-synthesis technology. (3) Conversion without coal: PETC recognizes that in some instances conversion technologies might best be employed on waste feedstocks without the addition of coal to the process to produce premium liquid fuels. (4) Pyrolysis and Pre-treatments: Mild to severe pyrolysis of wastes could result in liquid products that could be used to generate premium liquid fuels. Pre-treatments could include processes that would facilitate the goal of converting solid wastes to produce high-value products. (5) Other approaches not specified: PETC recognizes that innovative solutions to this problem may come from a combination of technologies or from technology areas not previously identified. Responsive technologies would be those that are (1) economically competitive with current disposal technologies such as land fill and incineration, (2) environmentally benign, and (3) with little potential environmental impact through ash/slag disposal, air emissions, ground water contamination, and fugitive emissions. Entities of particular interest in this announcement are key stakeholders that would be interested in applying the technology and using the fuel and chemical products such as State/Municipal interests, solid waste management infrastructure (e.g., land-fill operators, haulers and regulators), environmental interests, coal producers, universities, technology and process developers, equipment suppliers, and the oil industry. (0163)

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