Loren Data Corp.

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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF APRIL 1,1999 PSA#2315

EMERGING PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS (NATURAL GAS PROCESSING AND UTILIZATION) In order that potential sources learn more about the Federal Energy Technology Center's (FETC) program emphasis areas, and to afford our customers the opportunity to discuss their capabilities and to allow FETC to ascertain how to assist industry with emerging energy and environmental technologies, a special notice is published here. Product Line: Emerging Processing Technology Applications (Natural Gas Processing & Utilization) Contact: Venkat K. Venkataraman Tel: (304) 285-4105 Fax: (304)285-4403 E.mail: vvenka@fetc.doe.gov Business Area Perspective: The goals are to catalyze the commercialization of novel, environmentally sound, and economically competitive natural gas to transportation fuels, premium chemicals and hydrogen systems as well as systems for upgrading low quality natural gas including landfill gas, coal mine and coal bed methane for value-added applications. The specific objectives of the natural gas-to-liquids subprogram element is, in partnership with industry, develop and demonstrate advanced technologies and processes for the economical conversion of methane to liquids that can be used as fuels or chemical feedstocks. This will increase the available sources of supply for liquid transportation fuels and reduce the demand for crude oil derived liquid transportation fuels. The objective of the natural gas upgrading subprogram element is, within 10 years, develop polymeric membranes and other novel hybrid gas separation technologies that will advance the utilization of low quality natural gas. Membrane-based technologies have been successful because of their lower cost, modularity, and smaller size than many other hybrid gas separation techniques. In addition, the subprogram will promote the development of evolving technologies for upgrading methane emissions from coal mines for natural gas pipeline use and carbon dioxide emissions from landfills for commercial product use. FETC's Program Emphasis for FY2000: Natural gas-to-liquids (GTL) research could have a significant impact on the liquid fuels market by increasing the use of natural gas to meet liquid fuel shortages. As research on the conversion of natural gas to higher value products continues, several research areas will be emphasized. These include 1) improved selectivity at high conversion for both catalytic and noncatalytic processes, 2) reduction of the temperature required for conversion, 3) improved methods for separation of products from unreacted feed, 4) improved methods for oxidant production 5) improved catalyst life and rejuvenation procedures, and 6) improved knowledge of the potential for alternative fuels and chemical feedstocks in the marketplace. The GTL program will have several joint efforts with coal liquefaction product line and other product lines as appropriate and will work with Heavy Vehicles Technology program of DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to advance fossil fuels application in the transportation sector. In addition work will continue on scale up efforts to convert gas to Liquefied natural gas (LNG) using novel technologies. In the low-quality gas upgrading subprogram area, emphasis will be on the initiation of Phase I of the activities selected under the Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA) for the development of novel gas upgrading technologies using small-scale gas upgrading facilities including but not limited to absorption/adsorption, and/or hybrid combination of these technologies. The contaminants of interest include nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. In the area of coal mine methane utilization RD&D efforts will focus on the demonstration of available methods to economically collect and utilize this methane for pipeline sales, small-scale electric power generation, and other uses. The goal is to expand the number of mines that utilize emitted gas, instead of passing it into the atmosphere. This will be accomplished by demonstrating technologies to cost effectively capture and productively use methane gas released during underground coal mining. Posted 03/30/99 (W-SN314041).

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