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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

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: The 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 Peer Review/DOE technical

panel, and awards will be made to a limited number of proposers on the

basis of the scientific merit of the proposals, application of relevant

program policy factors, and the availability of funds.

DATES: The Program Solicitation is expected to be ready for release by

October 15, 1997. Applications must be prepared and submitted in

accordance with the instructions and forms in the Program Solicitation

and must be received by the Department of Energy by November 26, 1997.

Upon receipt of the solicitation document, check for any changes (i.e.

closing date of solicitation) and/or amendments, if any, prior to

proposal submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Debra A. Duncan, U.S. Department

of Energy, Federal Energy Technology Center, P.O. Box 10940 (MS 921-

143), Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940; (Telephone: 412-892-5700; Facsimile:

412-892-6216; E-Mail: [email protected]).

ADDRESSES: The solicitation will be posted on the internet at FETC's

Home Page (http://www.fetc.doe.gov/business/solicit/solicit.html). The

solicitation will also be available, upon request, in Wordperfect 5.1

format on 35'' double-sided/high-density disk. Requests can be made via

letter, facsimile, or by

E-mail. Telephone requests will not be accepted for any format version

of the solicitation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Through Program Solicitation DE-PS26-

98FT98200.000, the DOE is interested in applications from U.S. colleges

and universities (and 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 (FE) 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 under this solicitation may be accepted in two

subprogram areas: (1) University Coal Research (UCR) Core Program, and

(2) University Coal Research Innovative Concepts Program. Applications

must address coal research in one of the solicitation key focus areas

in the Core Program or as outlined in the Innovative Concepts Program.

Background

A concept called ``Vision 21'' is being developed as part of the

Coal and Power Systems Strategic Plan which will provide DOE's Fossil

Energy organization with a clear focus and mission and will be central

to the course of fossil energy research. Vision 21 is, in essence, the

idea of a modular co-production facility that is designed for facile

capture of CO2. The concept does not define a single,

optimum configuration but rather allows for a series of plant

configurations, based on common modules, capable of co-producing power,

fuels, chemicals, and other high value products with avoidance or

sequestration of CO2 and with low emissions of

SO2, NOX , and particulates. It is envisioned

that their modular construction will permit the plants to be tailored

to fit a geographic location and specific market area by selection of

the appropriate combination of modules. The modules will be scaled to

operate together and may be available in several size ranges. In

summary, the distinguishing features of the definitive Vision 21 fleet

would be (1) the capability of producing low cost electricity at

efficiencies over 60%; (2) near-zero pollutants, i.e., one-tenth of New

Source Performance Standards for criteria pollutants; (3) no net

CO2 emissions; (4) fuel flexibility (coal plus other

opportunity fuels); (5) co-production of higher value commodities; and

(6) modular design that permits customizing a plant to a given market

area.

For purposes of this solicitation, the feedstock may be coal or any

carbonaceous material in combination with coal. Gas or biomass could be

combined with the coal to reduce or offset fossil carbon emissions in

stages of development where CO2 was not completely

sequestered. Petroleum coke could be used near refineries and municipal

waste could also be a fraction of any feed. These Vision 21 plants

would answer the needs of a deregulated power industry in that they

would provide the ability to supply distributed power while producing

high value products. The flexibility to shift product distribution with

market forces would make the fledgling plants more robust in a

competitive market. The capability to readily capture a concentrated

CO2 stream will be an added benefit should a ``carbon tax''

be levied and would allow market forces to determine whether carbon is

sequestered or taxed-on-release. The Power/Fuels/ Chemicals industry

will produce environmentally responsible power, fuels, and chemicals

that will be the basis for a secure energy future. The high efficiency

of the new power systems will allow more efficient use of indigenous

resources and further reduce CO2 emissions. Developments in

breakthrough technologies, such as the high temperature hydrogen

separation membrane and advanced oxygen production, will be spinoffs

that will be beneficial to many industries. The work in three-phase

slurry reactors is universally applicable to chemical and petroleum

industries, and development of advanced Diesel fuels will increase gas

mileage by 50% or more while reducing particulates and CO2

[[Page 51840]]

emissions. Advanced research into areas of proposed regulation

and into newly regulated materials, such as PM2.5 and

mercury, will provide the knowledge base necessary for judicious

application of the law. A module will be included in the Vision 21

slate when it has been physically demonstrated at full-scale. Data from

these demonstrations will permit ready simulation of any permutation of

modules in a ``virtual demonstration'' of a plant configuration. At

some point, it will be possible to provide the market and feedstock

information for a geographic area and receive a prioritized list of

plant configurations based on demonstrated modules. This virtual

demonstration will provide significant economies when siting,

designing, and constructing Vision 21 plants. Research should be

continuous in all areas of fuels, chemicals, and carbon materials

production and power generation to include environmental mitigation

technologies and facile CO2 capture. As developments in some

technologies are slowed by barriers, those technologies may be moved

back into a more advanced research mode. No area should be completely

abandoned. The advantage of the Vision concept is that, for example, if

one gasifier technology is slowed, another will be developed in

parallel. If a technology is not able to be economically developed, it

will not stop the progress of Vision 21, but will only change

configuration options. The UCR program is moving in the direction of

Vision 21 and will be providing the longer range research needs

asociated with Vision 21 in addition to continuing to support our

present program areas. As you may infer, Vision 21 is not exclusive of

our present work, but is rather a concept that provides a longer term

focus and direction to our research programs.

UCR Core Program

The DOE is interested in innovative and fundamental research

pertinent to coal conversion and utilization limited to six (6) focus

areas under the UCR Core Program. The focus areas are listed in

descending order of programmatic priority. The DOE intends to fund at

least one proposal in each focus area; however, high quality proposals

in a higher ranked focus area may be given more consideration during

the selection process. The areas sought in the focus areas are not

intended to be all-encompassing, and it is specifically emphasized that

other subjects for coal research that fall within their scope will

receive the same evaluation and consideration for support as the

examples cited.

UCR Core Program Focus Areas

Mercury Detection and Control

Concern over mercury emissions from power plant stack gas has

increased since the 1990 Amendments to the Clean Air Act, where mercury

was included in the list of 189 hazardous air pollutants. Mercury is

present in most coals at trace levels and, during gasification or

combustion processes, is partitioned between the ash, particulate (fly

ash), and gas phases. Any mercury in the ash or particulate is readily

measured and controlled, but the behavior of vapor phase mercury is

problematic. Significant quantities of mercury leave the gasification

or combustion zone in the vapor phase as elemental mercury, mercuric

chloride, or some other volatile mercury compound, and no known single

technique can effectively remove all forms of mercury. The initial

distribution between the elemental and oxidized mercury varies with the

plant, coal, and conditions. As the entrained vapor travels down the

thermal and chemical gradients of subsequent gas processing, be it for

gasification or combustion, the valence states and forms of the mercury

change, yet again, as the various mercury species react with oxidizing

gases, such as chlorine, added gas treatment reagents, and compounds

sorbed on them. In addition, fly ash, unburned carbon, and other

particulate components of the gas stream may interact or catalyze

reactions of the mercury compounds.

It has become apparent that the system is significantly more

complex than previously imagined and that to measure and control

mercury in these gas streams, a basic understanding of the chemistry of

mercury under the range of thermal and chemical conditions found in

gasification and combustion processes is necessary.

Grant applications are sought for fundamental investigations into

the measurement and the removal of mercury and mercury compounds in

coal fired power plant flue gases and coal gasifier internal process

streams. In particular, the proposals should focus on one or both of

the following aspects: (1) Defining and understanding the mechanisms

involved with mercury transformation during combustion and

gasification, focusing on the identification of the rate-controlling

steps (i.e., transport, equilibria, and kinetics), and (2) Defining and

understanding the mechanisms involved with mercury transformations

during post combustion/gasification conditions (i.e., gas and particle

phase interactions) resulting in the absorption of mercury and

conversion of one form of mercury to another. This would include

defining and understanding the physical and chemical interactions of

flue gas constituents (vapor and particle) on the absorption of mercury

while injecting novel sorbents.

Novelty of approach, coupled with the likelihood of providing

useful measurements and fundamental data must be demonstrated in the

successful application. Proposals based on incremental additions to the

current data base are not encouraged.

Novel Catalysts for Advanced Diesel Fuels

With the renewed interest in synthetic diesel fuels derived from

Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) reaction of Syngas and the concomitant research

into oxygenated diesel fuels, such as ethers and acetals, there is a

need for new catalysts that are more selective, operate under milder

conditions, and economically produce stable, high-cetane-number diesel

fuels and additives. These would be produced either in a stand alone

facility or, more likely, as part of a coal-fed Vision 21 co-production

plant. The drive to produce diesel specification fuels is the result of

increased sales of light trucks, vans, and sport/utility vehicles that

now account for over 50% of the market. These vehicles, much less fuel

efficient than modern sedans, will probably be forced to use diesel

engines to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirements. The

engines will behave operationally and environmentally like modern spark

ignition engines and use fuels that are compatible with the present

distribution infrastructure to ease the conversion to the new fuels.

Grant applications are sought for investigations into the area of

new catalysts for selective, economic, and environmentally acceptable

oxygenated and high-cetane-number diesel fuels. The fuels produced must

be compression ignitable and may not include methanol. The work should

lead to novel catalysts to produce such fuels or a better basic

understanding of catalytic production of diesel fuels.

Advanced Air Separation Technologies

An Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) system is a likely

modular component of a Vision 21 co-production plant. In an IGCC

system, coal and other carbonaceous feedstocks are partially combusted

at elevated temperatures and pressures to produce synthesis gas, a

mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The synthesis gas must be

cleaned of sulfur compounds and particulates before use. IGCC

technology

[[Page 51841]]

is ideally suited for the coproduction of electricity and high quality

transportation fuel or a host of high-value chemicals to meet specific

market needs. For the production of electricity, the gasifier can use

either air or pure oxygen for the partial combustion reactions.

However, for coproduction of power and fuels/chemicals, oxygen is

required to reduce the quantity of inert materials in downstream

process units. The coproduction option offers the potential for early

introduction of IGCC technologies in the United States through

integration with existing manufacturing facilities and will lead

directly to Vision 21 plants. Through the continued development of

improved technologies, DOE hopes to further reduce the capital cost of

IGCC facilities to below $1,000 per kilowatt, achieve high overall

plant efficiencies, produce environmentally superior transportation

fuels that are cost competitive with those produced from petroleum, and

to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Grant applications are sought to develop advanced air separation

techniques that have potential for substantial reductions in capital

and operating costs compared with commercial cryogenic air separation

technologies and result in improved overall process efficiencies for

Vision 21 modules such as IGCC with co-production of fuels and

chemicals.

The proposed technologies can either focus on the production of

pure oxygen or enriched air (e.g., 65-85% oxygen in nitrogen). Such

technologies are not further defined but could include advanced

molecular sieve membranes, advanced absorption technologies or oxygen

transport membranes. The proposed concept need not be a standalone

technology and those that require integration into specific processes

to achieve the desired cost and efficiency improvements are acceptable.

Direct Coal Liquefaction

Direct coal liquefaction includes technologies for converting coal

or mixtures of coal with petroleum resids, waste materials (plastics,

rubber), or biomass (wood, paper) to liquid products suitable for

further refining for ultimate use as transportation fuels. Application

of these technologies has been delayed by the need to reduce costs of

both the initial conversion processes and the downstream processes for

the upgrading of the liquid products. Better knowledge of chemical

reactions pertinent to the conversion of coal and the prevention of the

formation of refractory products would benefit the design of process

strategies and to reduce cost of direct liquefaction. Knowledge that

would enable the more efficient use of hydrogen would improve the

overall thermal efficiency and reduce the net emissions of

CO2 from the conversion process. A key requirement for

improving the science underlying the technology of the initial

conversion of coal, or its co-processing mixtures, is a better

understanding of the complex chemistry of the conversion steps. These

steps involve combinations of thermal cracking and hydrogenation,

usually with a dispersed or supported catalyst. Another problem lie in

the hydrotreatment of the liquids produced by the initial steps. This

downstream catalytic upgrading involves extensive hydrogenation in

order ultimately to produce a fuel that will meet performance and

environmental standards. Reduction of the cost and hydrogen consumption

in these upgrading steps requires raising the performance of catalytic

hydrotreating processes. Such improvements would be made easier if

better knowledge of the target molecules for hydrodesulfurization and

hydrodenitrogenation were available.

Grant applications are being sought to understand these mechanisms

better, or to develop ways to overcome these barriers to advancing this

technology.

CO2 Capture and Sequestration

Future advanced power generation systems, such as Vision 21, will

be designed to eliminate any CO2 emissions from the plant.

The high energy penalties and high costs associated with removing

CO2 from the flue gas of a fossil fuel-fired power plant

represent major impediments to future use of CO2

sequestration. Novel methods for capture and sequestration of

CO2 that sharply reduce these energy penalties and costs

must be investigated. Promising approaches could include the

development of new scrubbing solvents or sorbents, or the development

of advanced sequestration techniques that are compatible with the

Vision 21 concept. Since, in the sequestration schemes for

CO2, transport could be a major economic and practical

concern, proposed ideas may also be related to the ease of transporting

CO2 to a storage site. Proposed methods of CO2

disposal could include but not be limited to new ideas on using oil and

gas reservoirs, the deep oceans, deep confined aquifers, and mineral

carbonates.

Grant applications are sought to investigate areas of novel methods

of CO2 capture and sequestration that are technically, economically,

and ecologically feasible. 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.

Advanced Diagnostics and Modeling Techniques for Three-Phase Slurry

Reactors (Bubble Columns)

The Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis reaction represents an

important route to convert coal-derived synthesis gas to hydrocarbon

fuels and will be a module for the Vision 21 plants. Slurry phase

Fischer-Tropsch processing is considered a potentially more economic

scheme to convert synthesis gas into liquid fuels, largely due to its

relatively simple reactor design, improved thermal efficiency, and

ability to process CO-rich synthesis gas. The application of the three-

phase slurry reactor system to coal liquefaction and the chemical

process industry has recently received considerable attention. A

reliable model will be invaluable for the design, scale-up, and

efficient operation of the three-phase slurry reactors. To develop such

a model, the hydrodynamic parameters and the complex chemistry of the

F-T reaction must be fully understood. ``Hydrodynamics'' includes the

rate of mass transfer between the gas and the liquid, gas bubble size,

gas, liquid, and solids holdup, and gas, liquid, and solids axial and

radical distributions, velocity distribution and flow regimes.

Measurement of these parameters must be made under reaction conditions,

such as high temperature and pressure, and with the presence of a

reaction liquid medium and high gas and solids holdup. It is expected

that advanced diagnostic techniques will be required to conduct the

measurements under the reaction conditions.

The completed model must be able to predict the holdup of all

phases (gas, liquid, and solids), temperature and pressure profiles,

and concentration profiles for individual reactants and products.

Grant applications are sought for investigations of the advanced

diagnostic techniques for the measurement of hydrodynamic parameters

under Fischer-Tropsch reaction conditions. Novelty and innovation

coupled with the likely prospect of providing new insight on these long

standing problems must be demonstrated in the successful application.

Proposals based on extensions of traditional methods or past results

are discouraged.

Grant applications are sought for investigations of the development

of models for the three-phase slurry reactor. The model must

incorporate the

[[Page 51842]]

hydrodynamic parameters and reaction kinetics. Novelty and innovation

coupled with the likely prospect of providing new insight on these long

standing problems must be demonstrated in the successful application.

UCR Innovative Concepts Program

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, waste

minimization, and the co-firing of coal with biomass, waste, or

alternative fuels will remain important. The need for increased

efficiency, improved 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.

The DOE is interested in innovative research in the coal conversion

and utilization areas that will be required if coal is to continue to

play a dominant role in the generation of electric power. 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.

UCR Innovative Concepts Program Technical Topic(s)

Fine Particulate Matter

Fine particulate matter is defined as material with an aerodynamic-

equivalent diameter of 2.5 microns or less and is generally represented

as PM2.5 It represents a broad class of substances dispersed

through the atmosphere and originates from a variety of sources. These

particles, which have been associated with adverse human health

effects, are generally divided into two classes, Primary and Secondary.

Primary particles are emitted directly as such, as fly ash, soot, dust,

or sea salt. Secondary particles are formed in the atmosphere mainly

from gas phase precursors such as SO2, NOX, and

VOC to produce particles such as sulfuric acid, ammonium nitrate, and

ammonium bisulfate. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency

promulgated a new PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality

Standards. These standards will affect the operation of much of our

industrial base, including fossil fueled power and industrial plants.

In light of the regulations, it will be important to capture and

identify particles as to composition and probable sources and would

greatly affect the industries controlled and the levels of controls

required.

Grant applications are sought for proposals to investigate

innovative methods for the quantitative capture and chemical analysis

of air borne PM2.5 particles with the goal of source

apportionment.

Additionally, grant applications are sought for methods that allow

on-line measurement or control at sources such as fossil fueled power

and industrial plants.

Materials--Development of Innovative Protective Surface Oxide Coatings

Protection from corrosion and environmental effects arising from

damaging reactions with gases and condensed products is required to

exploit the potential of advanced high-temperature materials designed

to improve energy efficiency fully and reduce deleterious environmental

impact (e.g., to achieve the performance goals of the Vision 21

powerplants). The resistance to such reactions is best afforded by the

formation of stable surface oxides that are slow growing, compact, and

adherent to the substrate or by the deposition of coatings that contain

or develop oxides with similar characteristics. However, the ability of

brittle ceramic films and coatings to protect the material on which

they are formed or deposited has long been problematical, particularly

for applications involving numerous or severe high temperature thermal

cycles or very aggressive environments. This lack of mechanical

reliability severely limits the performance or durability of alloys and

ceramics in many high-temperature utility and powerplant applications

and places severe restrictions on deployment of such materials. The

beneficial effects of certain alloying additions on the growth and

adherence of protective oxide scales on metallic substrates are well

known, but satisfactory broad understandings of the mechanisms by which

scale properties and coating integrity (i.e., corrosion resistance) are

improved by compositional, microstructural, and processing

modifications are lacking.

Grant applications are sought for expanding the scientific and

technological approaches to improving stable surface oxides for

corrosion protection in high-temperature oxidizing environments. The

needs are associated with developing innovative oxide coatings and

characterizing oxide-metal interfaces and stress effects on scale

growth as part of DOE's efforts to establish a sound technical basis

for the formulation of specific compositions and synthesis routes for

producing materials with tough, adherent, stable, slow growing oxide

scales or coatings that exhibit the improved elevated temperature

environmental resistance crucial to the success of many of FE's

advanced systems.

In-Situ Removal of Contaminants From High-Temperature Fuel Cells

The product gas from advanced coal gasification systems contains

numerous contaminants that are unacceptable for the present designs of

high-temperature molten carbonate and solid oxide fuel cells (MCFCs and

SOFCs, respectively). In a Vision 21 Plant, as in all coal gasification

and combustion processes, there is a tradeoff between gas cleanup and

downstream process durability. The desired long-term operation (40,000

hours) of current MCFCs and SOFCs can be significantly reduced by even

trace amounts of these contaminants. These contaminants include

particulates (e.g., coal fines and ash), sulfur compounds (e.g.,

H2S and COS), halides (e.g., HCl and HF), nitrogen compounds

(e.g., NH3 and HCN), and trace metal species (e.g., As, Pb,

Hg, Cd, Sn). The effects of these contaminants include plugging of gas

passages, corrosion of fuel cell components, and voltage losses due to

various mechanisms, including physical absorption, chemisorption, or

chemical reaction with fuel cell materials. Tolerance limits can be

below 1 ppm, and the effects vary in severity but all are detrimental

to fuel cell performance. It is unlikely that the next generation of

gas cleanup and gas separation processes in the Vision 21 scenario will

provide gas purity sufficient for long-term operation of MCFCs and

SOFCs manufactured with current materials and fabrication techniques.

If coal-based systems, such as Vision 21, are to take advantage of the

high efficiency and other benefits of high-temperature fuel cells,

methods for in-situ removal of contaminants will greatly increase the

resiliency of these devices and would be applicable to any level of

electrode materials technology.

Grant applications are sought for proposals to investigate

innovative methods for cost-effective, in-situ removal of deposits,

including ash, carbon, and trace metals, from MCFC and SOFC surfaces.

The proposed work may include, but must not be limited to a review of

prior research related to this focus area.

[[Page 51843]]

Prevention of Catalyst Carryover in Three Phase Reactors

There is renewed interest in F-T derived diesel fuels, produced in

a stand alone facility or as part of a coal-fed Vision 21 co-production

plant. To maximize the percentage of diesel fuel obtained, the catalyst

would be designed to allow diesel range products to be the second

largest portion of the product, while maximizing the production of wax.

The wax would be further hydrocracked to diesel fuel in a separate

step. Assuming that a three-phase slurry reactor would be chosen for

the F-T process, there exists the problem of separating the wax from

the molten catalyst-wax slurry as its level rises. The wax, of carbon

number 20 to 70, is both the product and the slurry medium.

Grant applications are sought to develop operations, processes, or

reactor configurations that maintain the necessary catalyst inventory

in the reactor.

Advanced Power Generation Cycles

One of the most effective ways to reduce CO2 and other

emissions from coal-fired powerplants and to achieve the targets for

the Vision 21 plant is to significantly increase the efficiency of

power plants. New cycles are intended for combined cycle applications,

that could increase the efficiency of powerplants to well over 45%.

Grant applications are being solicited for investigation and study

of new cycles for power generation. Specific areas of study may include

high temperature (1,000F), high pressure (2,400

psi) ammonia/water vapor/ liquid thermodynamic properties at various

volume ratios, validation of efficiency projects, alternative

approaches to complex combined cycle evaluations for better matching of

conventional and advanced technology processes, economics, and

identification of barriers (corrosion and new materials investigations,

heat transfer coefficients in two liquid mixtures for application in

falling film heat exchangers), to commercialization. Any novel topping

and bottoming cycles may be offered.

Liquids From Coal

The many advantages of using and handling liquid fuels and chemical

feedstocks has driven research to produce these materials from low-

cost, abundant coal. During most of this century, many processes have

been developed and a few of these were commercialized at some point.

With the advent of Vision 21 and the co-production concept,

opportunities may now exist for identification and development of novel

liquefaction processes that would fit the modular design criterion and

permit ready sequestration of CO2.

Grant applications are being solicited for investigation and study

of new methods to produce value-added liquids from coal consistent with

the Vision 21 concept.

Awards

DOE anticipates awarding financial assistance grants for each

project selected. Approximately $2.7 million will be available for the

Program Solicitation. An estimated $2.2 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 six 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 September 25, 1997.

Richard D. Rogus,

Contracting Officer, Acquisition and Assistance Division.

[FR Doc. 97-26276 Filed 10-02-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P