[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 2, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59172-59176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28599]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Notice of Restricted Eligibility in Support of Advanced Coal 
Research at U.S. Colleges and Universities

AGENCY: Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC), Pittsburgh, Department 
of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Issuance of Financial Assistance Solicitation.

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SUMMARY: FETC announces that, pursuant to 10 CFR 600.8(a)(2), and in 
support of advanced coal research to U.S. colleges and universities, it 
intends to conduct a competitive Program Solicitation and award 
financial assistance grants to qualified recipients. Proposals will be 
subjected to a comparative merit review by a technical panel of DOE 
subject-matter experts and external peer reviewers. Awards will be made 
to a limited number of proposers based on: the scientific merit of the 
proposals, application of relevant program policy factors, and the 
availability of funds.

DATES: This solicitation (available in both WordPerfect 6.1 and 
Portable Document Format (PDF)) will be released on DOE's FETC Internet 
site (http://fetc-ip.fetc.doe.gov/business/solicit/2000sol.html) on or 
about October 25, 1999. Applications must be prepared and submitted in 
accordance with the instructions in the Program Solicitation and must 
be received at FETC by December 13, 1999. Prior to submitting your 
application to the solicitation, periodiocally check the FETC Website 
for any amendments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Ms. Debra A. Duncan, U.S. Department 
of Energy, Federal Energy Technology Center, P.O. Box 10940 (MS 921-
107), Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940; Telephone: 412-386-5700; Facsimile: 
412-386-6137; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Through Program Solicitation DE-PS26-
00FT40676, the DOE is interested in applications from U.S. colleges and 
universities, as well as university-affiliated research centers 
submitting applications through their respective universities. 
Applications will be selected to complement and enhance research being 
conducted in related Fossil Energy programs. Applications may be 
submitted individually (i.e., by only one college/university) or 
jointly (i.e., by ``teams'' made up of (1) three or more colleges/
universities, or (2) two or more colleges/universities and at least one 
industrial partner. Collaboration, in the form of joint proposals, is 
encouraged but not required.
    Eligibility. Applications submitted in response to this 
solicitation must address coal research in one of the key focus areas 
of the Core Program or as outlined in the Innovative Concepts Program.
    Background. The current landscape of the U.S. energy industry, not 
unlike that in other parts of the world, is undergoing a transformation 
driven by changes such as deregulation of power generation, more 
stringent environmental standards and regulations, climate change 
concerns, and other market forces. With these changes come new players 
and a refocusing of existing players in providing energy services and 
products. The traditional settings of how energy (both electricity and 
fuel) is generated, transported, and utilized are likely to be very 
different in the coming decades. As market, policy, and regulatory 
forces evolve and shape the energy industry both domestically and 
globally, the opportunity exists for university, government, and 
industry partnerships to invest in advanced fossil energy

[[Page 59173]]

technologies that can return public and economic benefits many times 
over. These benefits are achievable through the development of advanced 
coal technologies for the marketplace.
    Energy from coal-fired powerplants will continue to play a dominant 
role as an energy source, and therefore, it is prudent to use this 
resource wisely and ensure that it remains part of the sustainable 
energy solution. In that regard, our focus is on a relatively new 
concept we call Vision 21. Vision 21 is a pathway to clean, affordable 
energy achieved through a combination of technology evolution and 
innovation aimed at creating the most advanced fleet of flexible, clean 
and efficient power and energy plants for the 21st century. Clean, 
efficient, competitively priced coal-derived products, and low-cost 
environmental compliance and energy systems remain key to our 
continuing prosperity and our commitment to tackle environmental 
challenges, including climate change. It is envisioned that these 
Vision 21 plants can competitively produce low-cost electricity at 
efficiencies higher than 60% with coal. This class of facilities will 
involve ``near-zero discharge'' energy plants--virtually no emissions 
will escape into the environment. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide 
pollutants would be removed and converted into environmentally benign 
substances, perhaps fertilizers or other commercial products. Carbon 
dioxide could be (1) concentrated and either recycled or disposed of in 
a geologically permanent manner, or (2) converted into industrially 
useful products, or (3) by creating offsetting natural sinks for 
CO2.
    Clean coal-fired powerplants remain the major source of electricity 
for the world while distributed generation, including renewables, will 
assume a growing share of the energy market. Technological advances 
finding their way into future markets could result in advanced co-
production and co-processing facilities around the world, based upon 
Vision 21 technologies developed through universities, government, and 
industry partnerships.
    This Vision 21 concept, in many ways is the culmination of decades 
of power and fuels research and development. Within the Vision 21 
plants, the full energy potential of fossil fuel feedstocks and 
``opportunity'' feedstocks such as biomass, petroleum coke, and other 
materials that might otherwise be considered as wastes, can be tapped 
by integrating advanced technology ``modules.'' These technology 
modules include fuel-flexible coal gasifiers and combustors, gas for 
fuels and chemical synthesis. Each Vision 21 plant can be built in the 
configuration best suited for its market application by combining 
technology modules. Designers of Vision 21 plant would tailor the plant 
to use the desired feedstocks and produce the desired products by 
selecting and integrating the appropriate ``technology modules.''
    The goal of Vision 21 is to effectively eliminate, at competitive 
costs, environmental concerns associated with the use of fossil fuel 
for producing electricity and transportation fuels. Vision 21 is based 
on three premises: that we will need to rely on fossil fuels for a 
major share of our electricity and transportation fuel needs well into 
the 21st century; that it makes sense to rely on a diverse mix of 
energy resources, including coal, gas, oil, biomass and other 
renewables, nuclear, and so-called ``opportunity'' resources, rather 
than on a reduced subset of these resources; and that R&D directed at 
resolving our energy and environmental issues can find affordable ways 
to make energy conversion systems meet ever stricter environmental 
standards.
    To accomplish the program objective, applications will be accepted 
in two subprogram areas: (1) The Core Program and (2) the Innovative 
Concepts Program.

University Coal Research (UCR) Core Program

    To develop and sustain a national program of university research in 
fundamental coal studies, the DOE is interested in innovative and 
fundamental research pertinent to coal conversion and utilization. The 
DOE anticipates funding at least one proposal in each focus area under 
the UCR Core Program; however, high-quality proposals in a higher 
ranked focus area may be given more consideration during the selection 
process. Research in this area is limited to the following eight (8) 
focus areas and is listed numerically in descending order of 
programmatic priority.

Core Program Focus Areas

1. Sulfur By-Products Made From Sulfur Dioxide
    Hot- and warm-gas cleanup systems are currently under development 
to optimize the Integrated Gasification Combine Cycles (IGCC) system. 
In these cleanup systems, two integrated reactors remove hydrogen 
sulfide from the raw synthesis gas, resulting in an output stream of 
clean synthesis gas and a waste stream of concentrated sulfur dioxide. 
Hydrogen sulfide is removed from the raw synthesis gas by being 
adsorbed onto a sorbent material in a reducing atmosphere. The sulfur-
laden sorbent is transferred to the regeneration reactor where oxygen 
reacts with the sulfur to form sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide leaves 
the process, and the regenerated sorbent is cycled back to the 
adsorption reactor.
    To improve the economics of synthesis gas contaminant cleaning, 
sulfur-based by-products will be made from the sulfur dioxide waste 
stream. Typically, the envisioned by-product is sulfuric acid, produced 
by conventional processes. More cost-effective means to produce a 
sulfur-containing by-product is necessary.
    Grant applications are being sought for innovative processes for 
the creation of valuable by-products from sulfur dioxide. The sulfur 
dioxide feed stream into the process will be:

1. Between 480 deg.C (900 deg.F) and 760 deg.C (1,400 deg.F)
2. 400 psia maximum
3. 2%-14% sulfur dioxide (the rest of the stream is N2/
CO2/steam)

    Preliminary analysis must show process and/or cost improvement over 
conventional sulfuric acid production, and must show that there is a 
market for the product (if the product is not sulfuric acid).
2. Application of Industrial Ecology Principles to the Design of Vision 
21 Systems
    Systems Integration prescribes how to combine high-performance 
technology modules into safe, reliable, economic Vision 21 plants and, 
as such, is a critical part of Vision 21. Systems integration can be 
divided into three key subelements: systems engineering, dynamic 
response and control, and industrial ecology. For this solicitation, 
grant applications are sought that addresses the industrial ecology 
subelement as it relates to future Vision 21 plants.
    In a broad sense, industrial ecology is a systems approach that 
focuses on the interaction of industrial and ecological systems. It 
seeks a closed-loop system of production and consumption in which 
material that would otherwise be discarded is reused, recycled, or 
remanufactured. Industrial ecology balances environmental protection 
with economic and business viability. In the context of Vision 21, 
industrial ecology aims to recycle, or utilize in some other manner, 
all process streams that would otherwise be regarded as wastes. It is 
desired to apply industrial ecology principles to the design of Vision 
21 systems.
    Grant applications are sought that addresses industrial ecology 
issues

[[Page 59174]]

relevant to Vision 21 plants. Examples of the technologies upon which 
the modules or subsystems that form the building blocks of Vision 21 
plants depend include, but are not limited to, gas separation, gas 
stream purification, high-temperature heat exchange, fuel-flexible 
gasification, high-performance combustion, fuel-flexible combustion 
turbines and engine systems, fuel cells, and fuels and chemicals 
production. Applications can address one or more of these technologies, 
other technologies relevant to Vision 21, or hypothetical Vision 21 
plant configurations. Proposed activities may include analytical 
studies and modeling, and small-scale experimental testing.
3. Improved Synthesis Gas Contaminant Cleanup
    Optimization of IGCC processes for cogeneration, and coproduction 
applications have the potential to significantly reduce capital cost 
and operations cost of IGCC plants. An expected requirement of 
successful cogeneration and/or coproduction applications is to make the 
synthesis gas made from coal, petroleum coke and/or petroleum residuals 
clean enough to meet the stringent gas quality requirements for use 
with a cogeneration or coproduction process.
    Grant applications are being sought to research and begin 
development of innovative ideas for gas cleaning systems. Though 
interest remains in separation via adsorption, other novel and 
innovative techniques are of primary interest. Solids separation or 
filtration is not being sought, unless it is a side-benefit of the 
chemical cleanup process. These innovative gas cleaning systems must 
operate above 250 deg.C (480 deg.F). Preliminary analysis must show 
process and/or cost improvement over conventional cleanups, and over 
the expected performance of systems currently under development. Gas 
purity goals shall be:

Sulfur: <100 ppb for fuel cells; <60 ppb for chemical production
Chlorine: <100 ppb for fuel cells; <10 ppb for chemical production
Ammonia: <2000 ppm for fuel cells; <10 ppm for chemical production
4. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)--A Promising Energy Conversion 
Technology
    SOFC are a very promising energy conversion technology for 
utilization of fossil fuels. It is envisioned that fuel cells may be a 
key component in an integrated coal-based Vision 21 power plant. The 
high temperatures of operation (necessary for adequate ionic 
conductivity and kinetics) conventionally require layered ceramic 
materials in a solid state configuration. A research opportunity that 
currently exists in making high-power-density SOFC a commercial reality 
involves improving the mechanical and sealing characteristics such that 
the structure is statically and dynamically robust.
    Grant applications are sought to improve the static and dynamic 
structural and sealing characteristics of SOFC. The temperature range 
of interest is 500 deg.C to 1,100 deg.C, although individual concepts 
do not have to be applicable to the entire range. The concepts and 
materials proposed must be compatible with a fully functional SOFC 
stack with a lifetime of 40,000 hours. Integrated stack concepts or 
individual component issues can be addressed. The concepts and 
materials must not be economically detrimental to the fuel cell capital 
or operating costs. Proposals must address structural issues, sealing 
issues or both, and the stated lifetime, compatibility, and economic 
criteria.
5. Fundamental Data To Support the Efficient Design of Advanced Coal-
Based Power Systems
    The DOE has devoted a significant amount of effort to generating 
data and elucidating the mechanisms of coal behavior (pyrolysis, char 
reactivity, mineral matter transformations, NOX formation, 
etc.) under conventional atmospheric combustion and gasification 
conditions. This information has made it possible to improve the 
accuracy of comprehensive computational combustion models to the point 
where equipment designers have begun to use codes to lead state-of-the-
art boiler development efforts. Unfortunately, these same models can 
not be expected to accurately forecast the performance of power systems 
that differ significantly from those in use today (i.e., those for 
which the codes were originally developed).
    Future power systems designs will be influenced by many factors, 
including fuel availability, environmental constraints, the 
availability of advanced technologies, co-production requirements, etc. 
While specifics would be difficult to predict with certainty, a 
significant number of future power systems designs are likely to rely 
on a variant of one or more of the following combustion/gasification 
approaches:
     Pulverized coal combustion at atmospheric or elevated 
pressures in recycled CO2 atmospheres containing oxygen.
     Fuel flexible, oxygen blown high pressure coal-based 
gasifiers capable of operating on mixtures of (predominantly) coal and 
biomass.
    Designers of advanced systems will also benefit from the 
availability of predictive models that enable effective design, or 
evaluation of the performance of potential designs. Unfortunately, 
relatively little data available in the literature is directly 
applicable to the behavior of coals under the aforementioned combustion 
conditions. The bulk of experiments reported in the literature have 
been performed under atmospheric pressure utilizing conventional 
atmospheres, although limited high pressure data is available.
    Proposals submitted under this topic should present a program of 
carefully crafted laboratory-scale experimentation aimed at defining 
the critical processes controlling combustion behavior under (1) 
oxygen-blown gasification conditions (e.g., pressures to 1000 psi, high 
temperatures and oxygen levels approaching 100%), (2) atmospheric 
combustion conditions relying upon elevated oxygen levels (over 35%) 
with concomitant high CO2 atmospheres (greater than 60%), or 
(3) pressurized combustion conditions relying upon elevated oxygen 
levels (over 35%) with concomitant high CO2 atmospheres 
(greater than 60%). Proposed work may focus on pollutant formation, 
char reactivity or ash behavior. Experiments should be performed with a 
range of commercially relevant coals and coal blends. If any portion of 
the test program is devoted to examining the behavior of coal/biomass 
blends, must be limited when compared to the proposed coal effort. 
Further, coal/biomass tests must focus on the behavior of biomass fuels 
with the potential to achieve commercial significance. The project must 
carefully integrate data collection and modeling of critical 
subprocesses. Note that the goal of this effort is to generate data on 
kinetics and mechanisms that will supplement, clarify or broaden the 
applicability of existing submodels dealing with NOX 
formation, ash behavior or char reactivity.
6. Water Gas Shift With Integrated H2/CO2 
Separation Process
    Options currently under study to obtain deep reduction in 
CO2 from power stations are mainly directed to removing 
CO2 from a power station's flue gases, i.e., post-combustion 
decarbonization. Pre-combustion decarbonization is an alternative 
approach to reducing greenhouse gases from power generation. In this 
approach, a fossil fuel such as coal is gasified and the product gas is 
converted to a clean gaseous fuel with

[[Page 59175]]

a minimal carbon content, e.g., hydrogen or hydrogen-rich gas mixtures.
    Augmenting the water-gas shift reaction (WGS) via hydrogen 
separation technology offers the promise of making hydrogen from coal 
with zero pollution for fuel cell and other applications. One method to 
circumvent thermodynamic equilibrium limitations is to move the 
equilibrium displacement to the product side. From the energy-
efficiency viewpoint, this should be achieved by continuous removal of 
one product component directly at its place of formation.
    A promising approach to achieve this objective is to demonstrate 
the feasibility of driving the WGS reaction toward higher levels of 
hydrogen production by removal of hydrogen from the product stream. 
This means that the WGS reaction must be driven far to the right, and 
that the hydrogen produced must be separated from the remaining gases 
at elevated temperatures and pressures. To achieve the goals of the 
concept, it is assumed that a hydrogen separation device is used to 
obtain a pure hydrogen product stream as well as to drive the shift 
reaction toward further hydrogen production.
    The hydrogen separation device could be a catalytic membrane 
reactor, in which the WGS reaction is combined with hydrogen separation 
from the reaction mixture in one reactor, using membranes selectively 
permeable to hydrogen. Alternatively, capture or removal of 
CO2 from the product gas following WGS, sorption/desorption, 
or other promising technology could be a viable option.
    Grant applications are invited that address scientific issues 
emerging from the above concept as stated below:
    A. Experimental and theoretical WGS studies are needed at 
temperatures above 450  deg.C to determine reaction kinetics such that 
the driving force for separation can be maintained sufficiently high, 
such as required when using membranes, to be economically feasible. The 
effects of reaction conditions, steam addition, and trace contaminants 
in the synthesis gas feed on the reactions kinetics need to be obtained 
and modeled. Grant applications should propose research that would 
address these issues.
    B. Grant applications are sought for novel H2-separation 
or CO2-capture technologies that concentrate hydrogen for 
use with fuel cells or other applications. Technologies proposed can 
operate at any temperature above 0  deg.C but must have an application 
in mind and must have potential for being less expensive than current 
technologies for hydrogen production, e.g., Pressure Swing Adsorption.
7. Sulfur Reduction
    Restrictions on sulfur content in gasoline and diesel fuels 
continue to become more stringent. Reduction of the residual sulfur 
contents in fossil fuels becomes more costly because the remaining 
sulfur compounds are the most refractory and difficult to remove. 
Design of processes for elimination of sulfur while keeping costs at a 
minimum represents a significant challenge to the science of catalysis. 
Many of the traditional catalysts for desulfurization carry out 
hydrogenation co-currently with sulfur removal, resulting in excessive 
consumption of this expensive reagent. Grant applications are sought 
for novel approaches to the reduction of sulfur in transportation fuels 
to part-per-million levels while using minimal amounts of hydrogen. 
Novel approaches are encouraged--for example, combination of selective 
adsorption with catalytic desulfurization, activation of refractory 
sulfur compounds, or the application of computational methods to the 
design and control of desulfurization catalysts and processes.
8. Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Catalysts
    The production of ultraclean fuels for the transportation sector is 
of prime concern to the fossil fuels industry. The conversion of 
synthesis gas to high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons by the FT reaction 
provides products that are free from both sulfur and aromatic 
hydrocarbons. These highly desirable properties combined with the high 
cetane numbers inherent to straight chain aliphatic compounds makes the 
FT synthesis an important component of the overall strategy for 
providing ultraclean fuels, particularly diesel fuels. Although the 
chemistry of FT catalysts is well studied, possibilities to 
significantly improve the performance of both the catalyst and the 
process still remain. For example, slurry-phase reactors may be used to 
improve the control of temperatures within commercial-sized reactors 
for this strongly exothermic reaction, but such reactors place extra 
demands on the catalyst. The preferred catalysts for slurry reactors 
are in the form of small particles, typically from 1 to 100 microns in 
diameter. Key characteristics desired in the ideal catalyst are a 
combination of resistance to attrition, high activity, long lifetime, 
resistance to poisoning, and ease of separation from the high-
molecular-weight hydrocarbons in the reactor. An important goal in this 
area of research is to achieve an appropriate blend of these catalyst 
properties so that long-term, efficient operation of commercial-scale 
reactors can be reliably achieved. In particular, achieving an 
efficient separation of small catalyst particles from viscous waxy 
products with less than 0.01 weight % catalyst carryover remains a 
problem. Grant proposals are sought to solve these problems 
specifically for iron-based catalysts. Novel approaches are encouraged. 
That is, incorporation of catalyst properties that may circumvent 
problems of catalyst/wax separation or heat transfer, thus alleviating 
the inherent problem of current processes are more desirable than small 
incremental improvements to the state-of-the-art.

UCR Innovative Concepts Program

    The goal of the Innovative Concepts program is to develop unique 
approaches for addressing fossil energy-related issues. These 
approaches should represent significant departures from existing 
approaches, not simply incremental improvements. The Innovative 
Concepts Program seeks ``out-of-the-box'' thinking; therefore, well-
developed ideas, past the conceptual stage, are not eligible for the 
Phase I Innovative Concepts Program. Applications under the Innovative 
Concepts Program are invited from individual college/university 
researchers. Joint applications (as described under the Core Program) 
will also be accepted, although no additional funds will be made 
available for joint versus individual applications. Unlike the Core 
Program, student participation in the proposed research project is 
strongly encouraged; however, this is not a requirement in the Phase I 
Innovative Concepts Program.
    Beginning in FY2001, a new initiative, the Phase II Innovative 
Concepts Program, will be featured in the UCR Solicitation. The goal of 
the Phase II Innovative Concepts Program is to solicit additional 
research in areas included in the Phase I Program. Funding for Phase II 
grants will be limited to a total of $200K over a 3-year period and 
student participation will be required. Only awardees of a Phase I 
grant from the previous year will be considered for Phase II.
    As the twenty-first century approaches, the challenges facing coal 
and the electric utility industry continue to grow. Environmental 
issues such as pollutant control, both criteria and trace pollutants, 
waste minimization, and the co-firing of coal with biomass, waste, or 
alternative fuels will remain important. The need for increased 
efficiency, improved

[[Page 59176]]

reliability, and lower costs will be felt as an aging utility industry 
faces deregulation. Advanced power systems, such as a Vision 21 plant, 
and environmental systems will come into play as older plants are 
retired and utilities explore new ways to meet the growing demand for 
electricity.
    Innovative research in the coal conversion and utilization areas 
will be required if coal is to continue to play a dominant role in the 
generation of electric power. Topics, like the ones that follow, will 
need to be addressed. Technical topics like the ones that follow, will 
need to be answered but are not intended to be all-encompassing. It is 
specifically emphasized that other subjects for coal research will 
receive the same evaluation and consideration for support as the 
examples cited.

Innovative Concepts Technical Topics

Development of Membranes for CO2 Separation
    Possible applications of membranes to coal-based systems include 
the separation of CO2 from the flue gas effluent of coal-
fired power plants. Inorganic membranes are preferred because of their 
refractory behavior and the possibility of improving their resistance 
to environmental attack through a suitable choice of ceramic material 
and associated fabrication process. Since the kinetic diameters of 
CO2 and N2 molecules are relatively close to each 
other (0.36 nm and 0 .40 nm, respectively), an enhanced separation of 
the two gases can only be accomplished via selective interactions 
between the molecules and the membrane surface. Molecular modeling 
would aid the synthesis of membranes for the selective separation of 
CO2, while kinetic modeling would establish the potential 
flux of gases in membrane systems.
    Applications are sought to investigate inorganic membranes, 
including novel synthetic methods that are technically and economically 
feasible. Large separation factor and high permeability are essential 
to achieve desired results in a single stage. A target performance that 
combines a permeability of 3  x  10-7 mol/(m\2\ s Pa) and 
CO2/N2 selectivity of 100 is an approximate 
guideline. The proposed work should be consistent with the Vision 21 
concept, novel in nature, and may include, but must not be limited to a 
review of prior research related to this focus area.
Identification of Promising Vision 21 Configurations
    The Vision 21 concept encompasses the idea of interchangeable 
modules that can be assembled into various configurations that may co-
produce power, fuels, or high-value chemicals. Configurations may 
include a gasifier and a power-generating facility with a specific fuel 
or chemical production capability. However, many different 
configurations are possible.
    Novel concept grant applications are being sought to examine the 
feasibility of advanced central station energy plants that produce some 
combination of power, fuels, and chemicals from fossil fuel feedstocks, 
perhaps with biomass and/or opportunity feedstocks (e.g., petroleum 
coke, municipal solid waste, etc.). Process heat and steam may also be 
produced. Configurations may use internally generated wastes, 
combustion byproducts, or low-grade heat in ways that improve 
environmental performance, efficiency, and/or economics. The study 
should include mass and heat balance calculations along with 
sensitivity studies of the economics of the proposed processes.
Efficient Power Cycles
    The thermal efficiency of a conventional coal-fired steam (Rankine) 
cycle is 33-35% from coal's heating value to electricity. The other 65-
67% of the energy is lost during the conversion process of power 
generation. By increasing the operating temperatures and pressures over 
the supercritical condition of steam, the cycle efficiency can be 
increased to 42-45% (based on coal's higher heating value). However, 
there are limitations in materials for high-temperature applications. 
On the other hand, a system with a binary working fluid of ammonia and 
water has shown an improved cycle efficiency of 45-50% by extracting 
heat from hot streams at variable boiling temperatures of the ammonia-
water mixtures. The cost has been a concern for commercializing this 
binary system.
    Grant applications are being sought for:
    A. Binary fluid cycles that demonstrate the potential for a higher 
cycle efficiency than the conventional system. Also, working fluids 
other than steam are of interest (e.g., CO2 is an 
interesting possibility).
    B. Concepts for a bottoming cycle to extract the low-temperature 
heat from the flue gas of a coal-fired plant in an economical way. By 
reducing a typical stack gas temperature of 350-380 deg.F to 180-
200 deg.F, the plant efficiency can be increased by 3-5%. The cost has 
been an issue for the low-temperature heat recovery system.
    C. New concepts that could be drastically different from the 
conventional system using a gas or steam turbine (e.g., fuel cells) to 
generate electricity from coal.
    Awards. DOE anticipates awarding a financial assistance grant for 
each project selected. Approximately $3 million will be available for 
the Program Solicitation. An estimated $2.5 million is budgeted for the 
UCR Core Program and should provide funding for approximately one to 
three (1-3) financial assistance awards in each of the eight (8) 
focused areas of research. The maximum DOE funding for individual 
colleges/universities applications in the UCR Core Program varies 
according to the length of the proposed performance period as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Maximum
                     Performance period                        funding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
0-12 months................................................      $80,000
13-24 months...............................................      140,000
25-60 months...............................................      200,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The maximum DOE funding for UCR Core Program joint applications is 
$400,000, requiring a performance period of 36 months.
    Approximately $0.5 million is budgeted for the UCR Innovative 
Concepts Program and should provide support for approximately ten (10) 
financial assistance awards. The maximum DOE funding for UCR Innovative 
Concepts Program awards is $50,000, with 12-month performance periods.

    Issued in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 25, 1999.
Raymond D. Johnson,
Contracting Officer, Acquisition and Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 99-28599 Filed 11-1-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P