[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6442]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 18, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
 

Unsolicited Financial Assistance Award; Pittsburgh Energy 
Technology Center

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center.

ACTION: Acceptance of an unsolicited proposal application of a grant 
award with the University of North Dakota, Energy and Environmental 
Research Center.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology 
Center announces that pursuant to 10 CFR 600.14 (D) and (E), it intends 
to make a Non-Competitive Financial Assistance Grant Award through the 
Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center of the University of North Dakota, 
Energy and Environmental Research Center for ``Direct Liquefaction of 
Low-Rank Coal.''

ADDRESSES: Department of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, 
Acquisition and Assistance Division, P.O. Box10940, MS 921-118, 
Pittsburgh, PA 15236.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary S. Price, Contract Specialist (412) 892-6179.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Grant No.:
    DE-FG22-94PC94050
Title of Research Effort:
    ``Direct Liquefaction of Low-Rank Coal''
Awardee:
    University of North Dakota, Energy and Environmental Research 
Center
Term of Assistance Effort:
    12 months
Cost of Assistance Effort:
    Total estimate cost is $200,000. There will be cost-sharing 
involved in this transaction; financial assistance will be provided by 
the Federal Government to the University of North Dakota.

Objective

    This project will develop a direct liquefaction process that 
specifically will convert Low-Rank Coals to transportation fuels. An 
advantage of using Low-Rank Coals are that they contain less sulfur and 
nitrogen and would be more environmentally acceptable.
    The Energy and Environmental Research Center at the University of 
North Dakota has an extensive background in research of Low-Rank Coals, 
and their recent process for the direct liquefaction of these coals has 
potential for being developed into a commercial process. The Multistep 
process being developed by the Energy and Environmental Research Center 
for the direct liquefaction of Low-Rank Coals consists of: (1) A 
preconversion treatment to prepare the coal for solubilization, (2) 
solubilization of the coal in the solvent, and (3) polishing using 
cresylic acid to complete solubilization of the remaining material. The 
product of these three steps can be upgraded using conventional 
hydrotreating.
    The objective of this research is to optimize the above process via 
the following two tasks: (1) Determination of the recyclability of the 
solvent used during solubilization, and (2) Determination of the 
minimum severity required for effective hydrotreatment of the liquid 
product.
    In accordance with 10 CFR 600.14, the University of North Dakota, 
Energy and Environmental Research Center, has been selected as the 
grant recipient. The Department of Energy support of the activity would 
enhance the public benefits to be derived by the usage of Low-Rank 
Coals in producing a product that can be easily upgraded to useful high 
quality fuels. This activity represents a unique idea and a method 
which would not be eligible for financial assistance under 
solicitation. The Department of Energy has determined that a 
competitive solicitation would be inappropriate.

    Dated: March 1, 1994.
Debra E. Ball,
Contracting Officer.
[FR Doc. 94-6442 Filed 3-17-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M