|
COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF DECEMBER 9,1996 PSA#1737DOE/Federal Energy Technology Center, P.O. Box 10940, MS 921-143,
Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940 A -- RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT DUE 123196 POC Kenneth S. Askew WEB: For
more information about the Federal Energy Technology Center, click
here., http://www.petc.doe.gov. E-MAIL: To e-mail responses to Kenneth
Askew, click here., askew@petc.doe.gov. SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT
Fiscal Year 1997 Federal Energy Technology Center (Pittsburgh, PA) The
U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Technology Center, is
contemplating the procurement of research efforts in the areas listed
below during the 1997 fiscal year. This announcement is NOT a formal
solicitation and is NOT a request for proposals. Availability of any
formal solicitations will be announced separately throughout the
ensuing fiscal year, via the Commerce Business Daily, the Federal
Register, and/or our HomePage on the Internet. This synopsis is for
information and planning purposes ONLY and is not to be construed as a
commitment by the Government. Your responses will be used to develop
a source list of potential bidders for future solicitations. Interested
firms may submit responses to the U. S. Department of Energy via
regular mail or e-mail. TELEPHONE RESPONSES WILL NOT BE HONORED. For
your organization to be included in our source lists for all
appropriate FiscalYear (FY) 1997 competitions, your response must be
received not later than close of business on DECEMBER 31, 1996.
Responses will be accepted after that date, but cannot be assured of
automatic inclusion in all appropriate FY 1997 source lists. Responses
should include the bidder's total number of employees and professional
qualifications of scientists, engineers, and technical personnel; a
description of general and specific facilities and equipment; a
synopsis of previous projects in related fields, and other descriptive
information. Firms responding should indicate whether they are
socially and economically disadvantaged businesses or women-owned
businesses. There is no specific format or outline that your response
must follow. Responses must be limited to twenty typed pages. Our
source lists are maintained from year to year, so entities which
responded in previous years do not need to respond again in FY 97,
unless their line of business has changed [which alters the Code(s)
that they want tobe considered for], or their mailing address has
changed. You may indicate an interest in one or more of the following
codes (e.g., PM11, PM43, RLE, ADCS, etc.), but one copy of your
response is required for EACH code that you select. For more
information about the Federal Energy Technology Center, please refer to
our HomePage on the Internet, at: http://www.petc.doe.gov Mail
responses to: U. S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Technology
Center, ATTN: Kenneth S. Askew, MS 921-143, P.O. BOX 10940, Pittsburgh,
PA 15236-0940. Overnight mail should be sent to: U.S. Department of
Energy, Federal Energy Technology Center, ATTN: Kenneth S. Askew,
Bruceton Research Center, Building 921 Room 143, Wallace Road, Bruceton
(Allegheny County), PA 15236-0940 E-mail responses should be sent to:
askew@petc.doe.gov The research areas are as follows: PM-10 Advanced
Clean Fuels Systems Code: PM11 Direct Liquefaction The Federal Energy
Technology Center is supporting technology development efforts for
production of alternate transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel,
and jet fuel) from coal. Current The Projects in areas 1 and 2 are
envisioned as laboratory and bench-scale activities involving novel
approaches having potential for scale-up to proof-of-concept size and
for achievement of significant technical and economic improvements.
Federal Energy Technology Center is supporting technology development
efforts for production of alternate transportation fuels (gasoline,
diesel fuel, and jet fuel) from coal. Current activities in this Direct
Coal Liquefaction program are being conducted in laboratory and
bench-scale facilities to establish the basis for advancement to a
proof-of-concept scale in which to verify the technical feasibility of
using coal as a replacement or supplement to petroleum-derived fuels
in an economical and environmentally acceptable manner. No
solicitations are expected in FY 1997. In future years, solicitations
are contemplated to procure additional projects for liquefaction
technology improvement in the following three areas: (1) alternative
processing of solids-containing feed stocks to produce greater liquids
yields and improved product quality; (2) refining and end-use testing
of liquefaction products; and (3) bench-scale testing of novel
coprocessing concepts. Code: PM12 Indirect Liquefaction The Federal
Energy Technology Center is conducting research on the conversion of
synthesis gas (i.e., a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) typical
of those attainable from modern coal gasification technology into
environmentally superior transportation fuels, oxygenated fuel
additives, and premium chemicals/chemical intermediates. The current
research activities in the Indirect Liquefaction program are directed
toward improving the activity and selectivity of catalysts normally
required for such conversions, developing more efficient reactor
systems for controlling the conversion process, and improving product
processing to maximize the yield of marketable products. The scope of
work in the current program ranges from exploratory studies at the
laboratory scale to proof-of-concept studies at a scale of 30 barrels
per day. No solicitations are expected in FY1997. In future years,
solicitations are contemplated to procure additional projects that
focus on the following areas: Development of attrition-resistant
Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, Kinetic studies of the Fischer-Tropsch
synthesis, and Catalyst/wax separation for slurry phase Fischer-Tropsch
bubble column reactors. Code: PM13 Fuels Systems Advanced Research The
Federal Energy Technology Center's Advanced Research-Liquefaction
Program has a goal of exploring innovative concepts that have potential
for leading to improved methods of coal liquefaction. For concept
definition, research projects in this program include fundamental
investigations of the basic reaction mechanisms that govern coal
liquefaction chemistry as well as the coprocessing of coal with
hydrocarbon-based or paper-based wastes toproduce a feedstock that can
be converted to premium transportation fuels. No solicitations are
expected in FY 1997. In future years, solicitations are contemplated to
procure additional research projects in the following areas:
Investigation of novel concepts in all catalytic routes for conversion
of coal and waste materials to hydrocarbons and/or oxygenated
chemicals, such as alcohols and ethers, Biological transformation of
coal-derived materials into hydrocarbons and/or oxygenated chemicals,
and Novel concepts in indirect coal liquefaction. Code: PM14 Natural
Gas-To-Liquids The Federal Energy Technology Center's Gas-to-Liquids
program is focused on the development of advanced processes for the
production of environmentally superior transportation fuels and premium
chemicals/chemical intermediates from domestic natural gas resources.
The current research activities in the Gas-to-Liquids program include
the direct conversion of natural gas to products via single and
two-step processes and the indirect conversion of natural gas to
products via synthesis gas, a fundamental building block consisting of
a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The scope of work in the
current program ranges from exploratory studies at the laboratory scale
to proof-of-concept testing. In FY 1997, a Program Opportunity Notice
(PON) will be issued to solicit proposals for the "Engineering
Development of Ceramic Membrane Reactor Systems for Converting Natural
Gas to Synthesis Gas and Hydrogen." Code: PM15 Coal Preparation The
Federal Energy Technology Center is managing Federal activities for
Coal Preparation. The Coal Preparation Program is directed toward
producing economically competitive and environmentally acceptable clean
coal products for all potential market applications. Projects in
advanced coal cleaning focus on (1) advanced coal cleaning systems
capable of deeply cleaning moderate- and high-sulfur coals to reduce
acid rain precursors from pre-NSPS boilers; (2) technologies for
selectively removing hazardous air pollutant precursors from coal; (3)
methods for reducing the ash-forming mineral matter and sulfur
contents to levels that will permit the cleaned coal-based fuel to
replace premium fuels; and (4) providing advanced means to clean,
dewater, dry, and handle fine coal in conventional cleaning circuits.
However, there will be no solicitations in the Coal Preparation Program
area in FY 1997. PM-20 Advanced Clean Efficient Power Systems Code:
PM21 Advanced Pulverized Coal-Fired Power Plant; Indirectly Fired Cycle
The Federal Energy Technology Center, under the Office of Fossil
Energy's Advanced Clean/Efficient Power Systems area, is managing the
development of very clean, high-efficiency, coal-fired power systems
based on pulverized coal-firing and on the indirectly fired cycle. The
FETC program, called "Combustion 2000," comprises the development of
the Low-Emission Boiler System (LEBS) -- the advanced pulverized
coal-based system -- and the High Performance Power System (HIPPS) --
the indirectly fired cycle-based system. The Low-Emission Boiler System
is a highly advanced power plant that is being designed using an
integrated approach to derive maximum benefit from progress in low-NOx
combustion, flue gas cleanup, and supercritical and two-component-
working-fluid cycle (ammonia-water) technology. Performance objectives
for first generation LEBS commercial plants are thermal efficiencies
of 42-45% (hhv basis), emissions of SO2, NOx, and particulates of 0.1,
0.1, and 0.01 lb/million Btu, respectively, and a cost of electricity
that is lower than current coal-fired plants designed to meet the
federal New Source Performance Standards. Three industry teams, led by
ABB Combustion Engineering, Babcock & Wilcox Company, and DB Riley,
are conducting the program. Phase I of the LEBS program, completed in
September 1994, included technical and economic evaluations of
candidate plant subsystems, a systems analysis of the entire power
plant, and the preliminary design of a commercial scale, 300-400 MWe,
LEBS plant. In Phase II, now underway, the industry teams are
continuing engineering analysis and modeling activities and are
conducting experimental testing of plant subsystems at scales of
approximately 3-10 MWe. Phase III will produce the site-specific
designs for proof-of-concept test facilities, 10-50 MWe in size, and
updated commercial plant designs and economics based on Phase II
results. At the end of Phase III, DOE will select one team to continue
into Phase IV, detailed design, construction, and operation of the
proof-of-concept facility. When Phase IV is completed in FY2001, LEBS
plants will be offered to the electric power industry. No demonstration
plants will be required. Technical goals for HIPPS include a thermal
efficiency of 47-50% (hhv basis) and emissions of SO2, NOx, and
particulates of 0.06, 0.06, and 0.003 lbs/million Btu, respectively.
The HIPPS program comprises three phases. Phase I, recently completed,
focused on the analysis of various configurations of indirectly fired
cycles and on technical assessments of alternative plant subsystems
and components. Phase I, which was conducted by industry teams led by
Foster Wheeler Development Corporation (FW) and United Technologies
Research Center (UT), also included preliminary R&D, and the
preparation of designs for a HIPPS commercial plant approximately 300
MW in size. As the result of a competitive procurement during
FY1994-95, FW and UT were selected to conduct the remainder of the
HIPPS program. Phase II, now underway, involves the development and
testing of plant subsystems, refinement and updating of the HIPPS
commercial plant design, and the site selection and engineering design
of a HIPPS prototype plant. At the completion of Phase II, one team
will be selected to continue into Phase III. In this concluding phase,
a detailed design of the HIPPS prototype plant will be prepared and
the plant will be constructed and operated. When Phase III ends in
FY2004, power plant designers and manufacturers will be able to offer
commercial HIPPS plants to the electric power industry. No procurements
are planned in FY1997. Very limited funding may be available within the
advanced research and environmental technology, and advanced research
and technology development, program budgets for work that supports the
objectives of the LEBS and HIPPS programs. Code: PM-22 Power Systems
Environmental Technology The Federal Energy Technology Center manages
the National Program for Flue Gas Cleanup Research and Development.
This program is directed toward (1) enhancing the environmental
performance of coal-fired boilers; (2) providing inexpensive,
adaptable, and non-complex methods for compliance with the Clean Air
Act amendments of 1990; and (3) developing technology to address
potential future regulatory actions associated with more stringent
control of nitrogen oxide emissions, air toxics and fine particulates.
Current projects, ranging in scope from laboratory studies of system
phenomena to proof-of-concept tests (e.g. 3-10 MWe size), are being
performed in the areas of (1) superclean emissions control (one-tenth
of New Source Performance Standards) for SO2, NOx, and particulate
matter; (2) air toxics characterization and control; (3) fine
particulate control; and (4) carbon dioxide (CO2) recovery, reuse, and
disposal. During FY1997 no new solicitations are planned. PM-40
ADVANCED POWER GENERATION, FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH, AND SOLIDS
TRANSPORTATION Code: PM41 University Coal Research The Federal Energy
Technology Center (FETC) manages the Office of Fossil Energy's
University Coal Research Program (UCR). Through the UCR program
solicitation FETC seeks to support fundamental and high risk research
that advances the technical understanding of the chemical and physical
processes involved in coal conversion and utilization. In FY1997,
applications to this solicitation will be accepted from U.S.
universities and colleges in the Solicitation s Core Program and
Innovative Concepts Program. The UCR Core Program is governed by the
following two focus areas: (1) NOx Control As environmental regulations
become more stringent, the restrictions placed upon emissions from coal
combustion processes will require either an improved understanding of
the combustion process itself or tight post-combustion control or some
combination of both. Currently, significant NOx control can be
achieved both through decreased formation of NOx and NOx destruction
prior to its exit from the combustion chamber. Further decreases in NOx
emissions and control of the Products of Incomplete Combustion (PICs)
from all combustion sources may be achieved with advances in our
understanding of the combustion process and an ability to control it.
Products of Incomplete Combustion includes: unburnt carbon; formation
of trace, complex, organic compounds; and liberation and reaction of
trace inorganic. Additional reductions in NOx emissions may also be
sought through post-combustion control. Direct conversion of NOx, from
dilute flue gas streams, to nitrogen or a saleable/ marketable product
would be highly desirable. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is a
commercially available post-combustion control that converts NOx to
nitrogen. One of the limitations to the widespread use of SCR is the
possibility that increased toxic emissions, ammonia and carbon
monoxide, will occur when NOx removals greater than 90% (85% by some
estimates) are desired. Research is necessary to identify alternate
reductants, catalysts, and/or chemical pathways that will not result in
the release of toxic emissions when high removals (> 95%) are required.
(2) Catalysts for Coal Conversion and Utilization Catalysts are used in
a host of coal conversion and utilization reactions. Although a vast
and highly specialized literature exists for catalysts, a thorough
understanding of the fundamental nature of catalytic coal conversion
and utilization processes is still lacking. Systematic studies focused
on understanding thesefundamentals would lay the foundation for
efficient development of catalysts for application in processes such as
gasification, liquefaction, waste minimization, and contaminant
control. New or improved catalysts for controlling product
distribution, removing pollutants, upgrading products, and reducing the
severity of reaction conditions are needed. Regenerable,
poisoning-resistant, and attrition-resistant catalysts for cleaving
specific bonds in coals, converting cyclic saturates to branched
saturates in coal-derived liquids, or promoting selective conversion of
gasification products (into condensible and non-condensible
hydrocarbons) and oxygenates are also of interest. Methods focused on
the recovery of catalysts and the removal of catalyst-deactivating
species would also be valuable. The UCR Innovative Concepts Program
seeks unique, "out-of-the-box," approaches for addressing fossil energy
related issues; therefore, well-developed ideas, past the conceptual
stage, are not eligible. The DOE is interested in innovative and
fundamental research pertinent to coal conversion and utilization
limited to the technical topic that follows. The examples provided
under the technical topic are not intended to be all-encompassing;
therefore, offers on other subjects that fall within the scope of the
area will receive the same consideration as the examples cited.
Innovative Concepts Technical Topic -- As the twenty-first century
approaches, the challenges facing coal and the electric utility
industry continue to grow. Environmental issues such as pollutant
control, both criteria and trace, waste minimization, and the co-firing
of coal with biomass, waste, or alternative fuels will remain
important. The need for increased efficiency, improved reliability, and
lower costs will be felt as an aging utility industry faces
deregulation. Advanced power and environmental systems will come into
play as older plants are retired and utilities explore new ways to meet
the growing demand for electricity. Innovative research in the coal
conversion and utilization areas will be required if coal is to
continue to play a dominant role in the generation of electric power.
Questions, like the ones that follow, will need to be answered: How can
net-zero emissions of carbon dioxide from the combustion of fossil
fuels be achieved? What are the implications of lowering the
particulate matter standards (i.e. PM-2.5)? Where can the largest
efficiency gains be realized in a power plant? How can adaptive control
systems and neural networks be integrated into the electric utility
industry? How can the trace element emissions from power plants (i.e.
mercury, selenium) be cost-effectively controlled? How do we develop
and test materials for advanced power systems? Successfully answering
these and other questions in innovative ways will help us move
confidently to the year 2000 and beyond. Code: PM42 Coal Utilization
Science The Coal Utilization Science Program (CUS) is designed to
generate thefundamentally-based knowledge and data required by
designers of advanced combustion systems in order to make significant
improvements in power plant efficiency and environmental performance.
The CUS sponsors targeted engineering science research that seeks to
bridge the gap between basic science and engineering development.
Projects utilize the unique resources of the industrial, academic and
national laboratory communities to tackle significant barrier issues
pertinent to advanced power systems technology. Projects make use of
state-of -the- (0340) Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0010 19961209\A-0010.SOL)
A - Research and Development Index Page
|
|