Golden Field Office; Notice of Federal Assistance Award to Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

[[Page 9026]]

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Golden Field Office; Notice of Federal Assistance Award to Air

Products and Chemicals, Inc.

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of financial assistance award in response to an

unsolicited financial assistance application.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the DOE

Financial Assistance Rules, 10 CFR 600.7, is announcing its intention

to enter into a cooperative agreement with Air Products and Chemicals,

Inc. (APC), to conduct research and development activities on a

Sorption Enhanced Reaction (SER) process for use with Steam Methane

Reforming (SMR). The SER technology could change the basic concept and

engineering design of existing hydrogen production systems based upon

SMR and, as a result, reduce the cost of hydrogen.

ADDRESSES: Questions regarding this announcement may be addressed to

the U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Field Office, 1617 Cole Blvd.,

Golden, Colorado 80401, Attention: John Motz, Contract Specialist. The

telephone number is 303-275-4737.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE has evaluated, in accordance with

Sec. 600.14 of the Federal Assistance Regulations, the unsolicited

proposal entitled ``Sorption Enhanced Reaction (SER) Process for

Production of Hydrogen'' and recommends that the unsolicited proposal

be accepted for support without further competition in accordance with

Sec. 600.14 of the Federal Assistance Regulations.

Under this cooperative agreement, APC will develop an approach for

producing hydrogen through an SER process used with SMR. The project is

expected to be conducted through a three-phase effort over a period of

five years. The three overall activities include Concept Feasibility

(Phase I), Engineering Development (Phase II), and Process Development

Unit Demonstration (Phase III).

The objective of Phase I (two years in duration) is to demonstrate

the feasibility of performing SMR at a low temperature with a suitable

material for the production of hydrogen and to develop the base design

data for engineering development and economic evaluation. The objective

of Phase II (one year in duration) is to develop engineering data and

models for scale-up of SER-SMR technology and continue laboratory

efforts to develop improved reaction materials. Lastly, the objective

of Phase III (two years in duration) is to design, install, and operate

a Process Development Unit (PDU) for the manufacture of hydrogen using

the SER concept. This PDU will be used to develop performance data,

process optimization, and models for scale-up. Additionally, detailed

economic analysis will be performed to confirm the merits of the

process. Commercialization plans will be developed in detail.

The proposal has been found to be meritorious in the DOE

evaluation. The APC program represents a unique approach to develop and

demonstrate a technology which could result in reduced costs for

hydrogen production with the SER-SMR process. The team proposed by APC

has the technical capabilities and commitment which should provide a

basis for a successful project. The proposed project is not eligible

for financial assistance under a recent, current, or planned

solicitation. This award will not be made for at least 14 days after

publication to allow for public comment.

The project cost over five years (including three phases) is

estimated to be $8,940,000 total, with the DOE share being $5,540,000.

Issued in Golden, Colorado, on January 30, 1995.

John W. Meeker,

Chief, Procurement, GO.

[FR Doc. 95-3950 Filed 2-15-95; 8:45 am]

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