[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32785-32786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-16123]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center; Notice of Sources Sought

AGENCY: Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, Department of Energy.


[[Page 32786]]


ACTION: Sources Sought for possible future competitive solicitation.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Pittsburgh Energy 
Technology Center (PETC) 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. We are interested in aiding in the formulation of non-
federal project teams that would eventually demonstrate the reference 
or alternate technology. Information should be submitted pertinent to 
the area of interest, such as experience of the entity and personnel 
and a description of the applicable technology which can result in a 
demonstration program and commercialization. Responses should be 
limited to 5-10 pages.

ADDRESSES: U. S. Department of Energy, Pittsburgh Energy Technology 
Center, Acquisition and Assistance Division, P.O. Box 10940, MS 921-
118, Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William R. Mundorf, Contract 
Specialist, 412/892-4483, Internet: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Cooperative Agreements are contemplated.

Title of Effort:
    Co-Processing of Coal with Plastics, Rubber or Other Solid Wastes 
to Produce Alternative Liquid Fuels
Award(s)
    Phase 1--three to five, reducing to two or three in Phase 2, and 
finally one awardee in Phase 3
Term of Assistance Award(s)
    Five (5) Years
Cost of Assistance Effort
    The total estimated program value is $25-35 Million
    Phase 1--$100,000 per award, at least 20% cost sharing by non-
federal entity
    Phase 2--$1-2 Million per award, at least 35% cost sharing by non-
federal entity
    Phase 3--$25+ Million, at least 50% cost sharing by non-federal 
entity
Objective
    The objectives of this program is to provide the nation by 2005 
with an alternative source of liquid fuels, costing $25 per barrel 
(Required selling price in mid 1996 dollars) or less, that can be 
produced from coal and solid wastes. 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) 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, and product upgrading, 
process engineering, and economics.
Alternate Approaches
    (2) Indirect liquefaction technology 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 technologies 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 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 technologies 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 economically 
competitive with current disposal technologies such as land fill and 
incineration, environmentally benign, with little potential 
environmental impact through ash/slag disposal, air emissions, ground 
water contamination, and fugitive missions. 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 
developers and the oil industry.

    Issue Date: June 14, 1996.
Debra E. Ball,
Contracting Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-16123 Filed 6-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P