[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 203 (Friday, October 18, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54426-54427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26764]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Announcement of Program Opportunity Notice (PON); In Support of 
the Gas Utilization/Gas-to-Liquids Program

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Pittsburgh Energy Technology 
Center (PETC).

ACTION: Issuance of Program Opportunity Notice (PON).

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Pittsburgh Energy 
Technology Center (PETC) announces that pursuant to 10 CFR 600.8 
(a)(2), and in support of the Gas Utilization/Gas-to-Liquids Program, 
it intends to issue a competitive financial assistance solicitation No. 
DE-PS22-96PC96052 leading to the selection and award of a cost-shared 
cooperative agreement to a qualified recipient. Applications will be 
subjected to a comparative merit review by a DOE technical panel, and 
one award will be made on the basis of the scientific merit of the 
application, utilization of relevant program policy factors, and the 
availability of funds. The solicitation is expected to be available on 
or about October 21, 1996. The solicitation will be provided 
electronically, using WordPerfect 6.1 for Windows, or on paper.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: U.S. Department of Energy, Pittsburgh 
Energy Technology Center, P.O. Box 10940, MS 921-143, Pittsburgh, PA 
15236. Attn: John N. Augustine. Telephone: (412) 892-4524. FAX: (412) 
892-6216. E-mail: [email protected]
    The solicitation will be posted on the internet at PETC's Home Page 
(http://www.petc.doe.gov). Requests for disk versions of the 
solicitation (3.5'', double-sided/high-density) may be made via letter, 
FAX, or e-mail. Paper copies can be made available upon request. 
TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR ANY VERSION OF THE 
SOLICITATION.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Solicitation Number: DE-PS22-96PC96052.
    Title of Solicitation: ``Engineering Development of Ceramic 
Membranes Reactor Systems for Converting Natural Gas to Synthesis Gas 
and Hydrogen''.
    Objective: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Pittsburgh Energy 
Technology Center (PETC) is interested in pursuing cost-shared 
research, development, and demonstration in the area of ``Engineering 
Development of Ceramic Membrane Reactor Systems for the Conversion of 
Natural Gas to Synthesis Gas and Hydrogen.'' The purpose of this 
proposed action is to solicit applications to advance the current 
state-of-the-art of ceramic membranes for the conversion of natural gas 
to synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) and 
hydrogen to commercial readiness. The membrane-based technology is 
envisioned to couple air separation and methane partial oxidation into 
a single process step to be followed either by conversion of the 
synthesis gas to transportation fuels or the production of hydrogen. 
The goal of the proposed effort is to develop and demonstrate the 
technical, economic, and commercial feasibility of the membrane-based 
technology for the utilization of domestic remote natural gas, such as 
that found in Alaska, by 2008. A multi-budget period, multi-task 
approach to the development of the technology is sought, with decision 
points at critical junctures. Budget Period 1 will encompass ceramic 
material development, selection, and characterization, membrane/reactor 
module fabrication, seal and manifolding technology development, bench-
scale process performance evaluations, and engineering and economic 
analyses. Budget Period 2 will involve the scale-up of the technology 
to an engineering prototype unit to demonstrate an integrated process, 
to obtain process engineering data, to validate design concepts, and to 
provide additional data to refine prior engineering and economic 
evaluations. Engineering models that represent the

[[Page 54427]]

fundamental physical and chemical phenomena in the membranes and are 
useful for the scale-up of the technology will also be developed. 
Budget Period 3 will utilize the technology data base and engineering 
models developed in Budget Periods 1 and 2 to design, fabricate, 
construct, and operate a fully integrated, proof-of-concept, 
commercially scalable process that reduces technical risks sufficiently 
to permit commercialization of the technology. A minimum cost-share of 
50% in each budget period is expected from the participants, as well as 
repayment of the Government's share upon commercialization of the 
technology. The solicitation will be available on or about October 21, 
1996. All requests for the solicitation package should be submitted in 
writing to the attention of John N. Augustine, Contract Specialist, 
U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 10940 (MS 921-143), Pittsburgh, PA 
15236-0940. NO TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Term of Award

    Total project: 8 years
    Budget Period 1: 2.5 years
    Budget Period 2: 2.5 years
    Budget Period 3: 3 years

    Awards: DOE anticipates issuing a single financial assistance 
cooperative agreement. DOE reserves the right to support or not support 
any or all applications received in whole or in part, and to determine 
how many awards may be made through the solicitation subject to funds 
available in this fiscal year. The limitation on the maximum DOE 
funding for the selected cooperative agreement to be awarded under this 
financial assistance solicitation is approximately $35,000,000.
    Solicitation Release Date: The solicitation is expected to be 
available on or about October 21, 1996. Applications must be prepared 
and submitted in accordance with the instructions and forms in the 
solicitation. To be eligible, applications must be received at the 
designated DOE office by the closing date stated in the solicitation.
Dale A. Siciliano,
Contracting Officer, Acquisition and Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 96-26764 Filed 10-17-96; 8:45 am]
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