[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 91 (Thursday, May 11, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 25210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11557]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Notice of Noncompetitive Financial Assistance for Cooperative 
Agreement Award

SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE), announces that pursuant to the 
DOE Financial Assistance Rules 10 CFR 600.7(b)(2), it is pursuing a 
noncompetitive financial assistance award to Stone & Webster 
Engineering Corporation for the continuation of Phase II of the High 
Pressure Heat Exchange Project.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Borthwick, U.S. Department of Energy, Chicago Operations Office, 
9800 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439, (708) 252-2377.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The objective of Stone and Webster 
Engineering Corporation's High Pressure Heat Exchange System (HiPHES) 
project is to develop an advanced high pressure heat exchanger using 
ceramic tubes for a convective steam/methane reformer. Under this 
continuation of Phase II of the Cooperative Agreement the Participant 
will conduct the research necessary to resolve key R&D issues 
identified and prioritized in Phase I, participate in the testing of 
candidate ceramic material and candidate joints under simulated 
reformer conditions, bring the technology and design to the point where 
a prototype unit can be built and operated in Phase III, if funded, and 
temporarily redirect the project toward the use of ceramic tubes for 
ethylene production.
    DOE's purpose for continuing the cooperative agreement is to enable 
Stone & Webster to satisfactorily complete an activity presently being 
funded by DOE. There are significant engineering and design challenges 
associated with the development of a 30 foot long ceramic-tubed steam/
methane reformer. Since ethylene cracking at higher temperatures is 
similar to the present work in some respects, and is an easier 
development problem to solve, the information generated during this 
intermediate step will be used to help guide the development of a 
steam/methane reformer.
    Stone & Webster is an integrated provider of ethylene technology 
for the world's ethylene market. Because of Stone & Webster's leading 
position in the ethylene industry, new technology development, such as 
a more efficient furnace design, and advanced ceramic reactors, can 
expeditiously be incorporated into new and/or revamped ethylene plants 
in the U.S. and worldwide. The Stone & Webster effort is supported by a 
complex team of Participants (including various monolithic and ceramic 
composite manufacturers and consultants) with the necessary expertise, 
and the company has been working with DOE in the development of a 
higher temperature ceramic-tubed steam/methane reformer since 1988.
    Eligibility for continuation of the cooperative agreement award is 
being restricted to Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation because of 
its past experience with the DOE and its unique institutional ties and 
expertise. The estimated cost to complete Phase II is $1.8 million 
dollars. The award date is on or about May 15, 1995.

    Issued in Chicago, Illinois on April 21, 1995.
Timothy S. Crawford,
Assistant Manager for Human Resources and Administration.
[FR Doc. 95-11557 Filed 5-10-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-M