[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 226 (Friday, November 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58716-58720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-29244]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


National Energy Technology Laboratory; Notice of Availability of 
a Financial Assistance Solicitation

AGENCY: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Morgantown, 
Department of Energy (DOE).

ACTION: Notice of availability of a Financial Assistance Solicitation.

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SUMMARY: NETL 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 No. DE-PS26-
02NT41369 and award financial assistance grants to qualified 
recipients. Applications 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.
    Once released, the solicitation will be available for downloading 
from the IIPS Internet page. At this internet site you will be able to 
register with IIPS, enabling you to download the solicitation and to 
submit a proposal. If you need technical assistance in registering or 
for any other IIPS function call the IIPS Help Desk at (800) 683-0751 
or email the Help Desk personnel at IIPS__HelpDesk@e-center.doe.gov. 
Questions relating to the solicitation content must be submitted 
electronically to the Contract Specialist via email. All responses to 
questions will be released on the IIPS home page as will all 
amendments. The solicitation will only be available in IIPS.

DATES: The solicitation will be available for downloading on the DOE/
NETL's Homepage at http://www.netl.doe.gov/business and the IIPS 
``Industry Interactive Procurement System'' Internet page located at 
http://e-center.doe.gov on or about December 3, 2001. Applications must 
be prepared and submitted in accordance with the instructions in the 
Program Solicitation and must be received at NETL by January 16, 2002. 
Prior to submitting your application to the solicitation, periodically 
check the NETL Website for any amendments.

FOR FURTHER SOLICITATION INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael P. Nolan, U.S. 
Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, P.O. Box 
880 (MS I07), Morgantown, WV 26507-0880; Telephone: 304/285-4149; 
Facsimile: 304/285-4683; E-mail: [email protected].

[[Page 58717]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Through Program Solicitation DE-PS26-
02NT41369, 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 programs. Applications may be submitted 
individually (i.e., by only one college/university or one college 
subcontracting with one other 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 Phase-I & Phase-II Programs.

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 universities, government, and 
industry partnerships to invest in advanced fossil energy 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 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 even stricter environmental 
standards.
    To accomplish the program objective, applications will be accepted 
in three program areas: (1) The Core Program, (2) the Innovative 
Concepts Phase-I Program, and (3) the Innovative Concepts Phase-II 
Program.

University Coal Research (UCR) Core Program Focus Areas

    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 
maximum DOE funding for each individual college/university award under 
the University Coal Research Core Program is:

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12 month project period................  $80,000 (max. DOE funds)
13-24 month project period.............  $140,000 (max. DOE funds)
25-60 month project period.............  $200,000 (max. DOE funds)
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    For Joint Universities and Joint University/Industry awards, the 
maximum DOE funding is $400,000 for a 36-month performance period. 
Joint University/Industry applications must specify a minimum of 
twenty-five percent (25%) cost sharing of the total proposed project 
cost.
    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

[[Page 58718]]

focus area may be given more consideration during the selection 
process. Research in this area is limited to the following six (6) 
focus areas and is listed numerically in descending order of 
programmatic priority.

Core Program Focus Areas

1.0  Novel Sensors and Control Systems

    Novel sensors and control systems that support the full-scale 
implementation and operations of highly efficient power generation 
technologies are of interest, these systems include: advanced 
combustion, gasification, turbines, and fuel cells, as well as gas 
cleaning technologies, carbon sequestration, and advanced emissions 
control technologies. Current technology developments are supported by 
the Vision 21 program and other programmatic efforts aimed at enhancing 
the efficiency and reducing emissions, thereby removing the 
environmental concerns associated with fossil fuel use. To facilitate 
this effort, several ``smart'' sensors and advanced control algorithms 
are needed to operate these complex, integrated technologies in a safe 
and reliable manner.
    Grant applications for novel sensor techniques are sought that can 
operate reliably and accurately in the presence of high temperature 
(e.g., 1000  deg.C or higher), elevated pressure (e.g., 100-1000 psig), 
abrasive streams (e.g., high particulate flue gas) and corrosive 
atmospheres (e.g., oxidizing and reducing conditions). Robust sensors 
for in-situ monitoring of fine particulates (e.g., 0-10 microns), 
environmental contaminants (e.g., NOX), and gases (e.g., 
hydrogen, NH3) are needed. Novel approaches to on-line 
characterization of solid fuel (e.g., coal, biomass) are needed to 
measure parameters such as: feed rates; heating value; percent water 
content; ash; sulfur, nitrogen concentrations; and trace elemental 
contaminants. Robust temperature-sensing techniques and instrumentation 
are needed for use in coal gasifiers (up to 2600  deg.C in reducing 
atmospheres) and gas turbines (up to 4000  deg.C in oxidizing 
atmospheres).
    In addition to sensors that monitor the operation of advanced and 
existing power generation technologies, grant applications are sought 
for instrumentation and sensors to monitor a system's ``health'' status 
on-line. Techniques are needed to monitor and predict maintenance of 
critical equipment. Examples of system health monitoring needs include 
techniques to indicate or measure (1) refractory wear in coal gasfiers, 
(2) thermal barrier coating degradation in natural gas turbines, and 
(3) water-wall wastage associated with low- NOX burner 
technology.

2.0  Materials and Components for Vision 21 Systems

    Gas turbines and membrane reactors are among the enabling 
technologies that support the Vision 21 concept. Membrane reactor 
development represents a critical enabling technology for future Vision 
21 Systems. Of particular interest are materials needs and property 
changes to accommodate coal and bio-mass fuels.
    Membrane reactors based on microporous and mesoporous ceramic 
membranes provide a broad array of opportunities regarding the choice 
materials for membranes, their catalytic properties and possible 
applications. The most widely used application involves equilibrium 
displacement by removal of at least one reaction product. Most often, 
the removal of hydrogen in dehydrogenation or water gas shift reactions 
has been the process of choice.
    Porous ceramic membranes can be made, in whole or in part, of 
alumina, silica, titania, zirconia, zeolites, etc., materials which are 
catalytically active under suitable operating conditions. During 
preparation procedure one can give specific properties to the catalyst; 
e.g., successive layers of different materials can be deposited across 
the membrane radius which would allow one to carry out different 
consecutive reactions in different regions of the membrane.
    The prospects of using dense membranes based on mixed ionic/
electronic conducting ceramics for syngas production in a catalytic 
membrane reactor are constrained by problems related to limited 
thermodynamic stability and poor dimensional stability of candidate 
materials. New compositions of oxygen transport membrane materials 
within or outside of Perovskitic (ABO3) and Brownmillerite 
(A2B2O5) structures for separation of 
oxygen via oxygen anion and electron conduction should be investigated 
to address the issues. Proton conducting ceramics are also of interest.
    In the area of materials for fuel-flexible combustion turbines, an 
implication of high efficiency is that materials with very high 
temperature capabilities will be necessary. Practical application of 
metals and coatings, as structural materials at the ultrahigh 
temperatures (well above 1000 deg.C) required is a formidable 
challenge. Among the topics of interest are the following:
    Grant applications are sought for proposals to develop catalytic 
membrane reactors to circumvent thermodynamic equilibrium limitations 
and derive useful products such as hydrogen from reactants obtained 
from coal conversion or gasification. Novel membrane materials and 
reactor configurations as well as new applications to different 
reaction systems are desired.
    Research leading to optimization of single crystal alloys for gas 
turbine airfoils and modifications that will better tailor the alloy 
properties to the duty cycle requirements and processing constraints of 
advanced land-based gas turbines, while building on the technology 
embodied in current superalloys. Such a modified alloy would have the 
combination of very long-term mechanical properties and environmental 
resistance required for advanced gas turbine conditions.
    Advanced thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) that have superior 
durability and performance in an industrial gas turbine environment. 
Desirable characteristics include TBC compositions resistant to 
corrosive attack by deposits derived from combustion of low-grade fuel, 
syngas, and air impurities, and/or sealed gas path surfaces to inhibit 
deposits from penetrating into the TBCs porous (strain tolerant) 
microstructure, as well as lower thermal conductivity. Also, develop 
methods to identify and avoid combustion environments that result in 
unacceptable TBC life. The research should include modeling and 
prediction of the rate of fuel ash deposition onto turbine airfoils and 
the corrosiveness of ash deposits to YSZ and other TBC candidates.

3.0  Computational Approaches to Advanced Catalyst Design

    Improvements in catalysts are needed to reduce the cost of 
producing transportation fuels suitable for use under forthcoming 
stricter environmental regulations and to broaden the base of 
feedstocks available for their production. Two examples of particular 
concern of this solicitation are Fischer Tropsch synthesis and 
catalytic reforming. The Fischer Tropsch synthesis produces a 
paraffinic wax that may then be cracked to produce a sulfur-free, 
aromatic-free, and high cetane diesel fuel. This fuel is a desirable 
blending stock that can be used to bring diesel fuels within the more 
strict future regulations on sulfur and aromatics content. A major draw 
back to the Fischer Tropsch synthesis is that the lack of selectivity 
of the current catalysts results in a wide distribution of molecular 
weight in the product slate.

[[Page 58719]]

Expensive post-synthesis processing is then required that drives up the 
price of the desired diesel fuel. An ideal Fischer Tropsch synthesis 
would produce a narrow distillate cut that falls within the diesel 
range with little production of unwanted byproduct. Catalytic reforming 
of natural gas is the first step in converting this under-utilized 
natural resource to liquid fuels. In this case, a major problem lies in 
the tendency of the catalyst to form carbonaceous deposits that either 
reduces its lifetime or places restrictions on process operating 
parameters. The ever-increasing power of the methods and hardware now 
being applied in computational chemistry needs to be enlisted to help 
develop better catalysts for both of these processes. Of most value are 
studies that provide guidance in the means to improve catalyst design 
through choice of metals, alloys, promoters, supports, size of the 
active particles, etc.
    To provide the fundamental knowledge required to effectively 
accelerate these efforts in catalyst development, grant applications 
are sought for the application of computational methods to generate a 
molecular understanding of the kinetics of competitive reactions on 
catalytic surfaces. Successful applications will attack the most 
critical problems in catalyst performance. Applications must show 
evidence of the intent to develop means to improve catalyst performance 
through strategies such as: the suppression of the relative rates of 
surface reactions leading to deactivation, suppression of the 
production of unwanted co-products, or enhancement of the control of 
selectivity towards production of desirable products. Grant 
applications must specifically address either of two problems: 
determination of the molecular principles that govern the relative 
rates of chain growth versus chain termination () 
on iron or cobalt Fischer Tropsch catalysts, or determination of the 
molecular factors that govern the relative rates of coke formation 
versus methane reforming on nickel catalysts. The proposals must be 
conceived at the fundamental molecular level. Applications based on 
reactor or process modeling will not be considered.

4.0  Materials for Intermediate Temperature Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells

    Solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer significant advantages in the 
conversion of fossil fuels to electrical power. Without an intermediate 
heat production step the efficiency of an SOFC can be much higher than 
current methods of producing power. Currently, SOFC configurations and 
applications are restricted by the high-temperatures needed to maintain 
adequate area specific resistanceses while ensuring long-term 
reliability. The only material set (yttria stabilized zirconia, 
lanthanum strontium manganite, and nickel/ zirconia cermet) that has 
been successfully demonstrated over a substantial period of time has a 
lower temperature limit of about 800  deg.C and possibly 750 deg.C with 
some modifications.
    Grant applications are being sought for identification and 
characterization of one or more (considering the time and financial 
constraints) SOFC anode, electrolyte, cathode material set(s) that can 
operate in the 500 deg.C to 700 deg.C range. The structure(s) should be 
manufacturable with relatively inexpensive manufacturing techniques. 
The material cost should be roughly no more than the previously 
referenced material set or less. (Electrolyte transference numbers 
should be known or shown to be adequate in a typical SOFC environment 
before proceeding). The characterization should demonstrate as much as 
possible that the complete structure can meet the requirements of an 
SOFC fuel cell with a projected power density of (0.6W/cm2 
at 0.7 V, corrected for test cell resistance) in the indicated 
temperature range and subject to the typical fuel and oxidant 
environments. Characterization should include chemical stability 
between the components. The lifetime effects (phase stability, thermal 
expansion compatibility, conductivity aging, and electrode sintering) 
should be considered and characterized as much as possible. The 
characterization of the material set should in general be, as complete 
as possible and, not duplicate publicly known information. The proposal 
should address all aspects of the stated topic.

5.0  Novel Concepts for Reducing Water Used in Power Generation

    Power generated from fossil fuels, especially coal, is dependent on 
water. On average, approximately 30 gallons of water are required for 
each kWh of power produced from coal. Around 70 trillion gallons of 
water are consumed or impacted annually in the United States to produce 
energy. The large quantity of water to produce power has regulatory and 
technological issues related to both the amount of water used and the 
potential impact on water quality. The largest single use of water in 
power generation is for cooling the low-pressure steam from the 
turbine. An alternative to the use of water for cooling is air. 
However, air-cooled systems (sometimes referred to as dry systems) can 
have associated capital-cost and energy-inefficiency penalties, 
particularly in retrofit applications.
    Grant applications are sought to reduce or eliminate the need for 
water for cooling purposed including: (1) Novel heat-transfer media 
that is more efficient than air; (2) improved fill materials used in 
re-circulating (closed loop) wet cooling towers; (3) approaches to 
reducing evaporative loss from closed wet systems; (4) innovations to 
improve the efficiency of dry cooling systems, particularly for 
retrofit applications; and (5) novel, lowcost treatment technology to 
allow for the use of process water as boiler feed water.

6.0  Conversion of Coal-Derived Synthesis Gas to Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) 
Liquids

    The conversion of coal to Fischer-Tropsch liquids can help 
supplement petroleum in satisfying our Nation's growing demand for 
clean transportation fuels, but additional scientific understanding of 
the entire process is needed to enable technology developers to improve 
system performance and economics. Historically, empirically-derived 
laboratory data has been used to develop Fischer-Tropsch reactor 
systems and to determine operating conditions. Catalysis has played a 
significant role in helping to establish a reasonable range of 
operation conditions that provide less residence time, higher product 
yield and selectivity, and lower energy consumption. However, neither 
the exact reaction mechanisms nor individual kinetic expressions are 
known for advanced, iron-based catalysts that are currently being 
developed for three-phase slurry reactor systems.
    Grant applications are requested for projects that focus on 
deriving mechanistic and kinetic expressions for converting coal-
derived synthesis gas to F-T liquids via iron-based catalysts in a 
three-phase regime that may include a range of reactants and operating 
parameters that would be reasonable for a commercial F-T system. 
Proposals may include the use of commercial F-T catalysts as a baseline 
for comparative evaluations.

UCR Innovative Concepts Phase-I Program

    The goal of solicited research under the Innovative Concepts (IC) 
Phase-I Program is to develop unique approaches for addressing fossil 
energy-related issues. These approaches should represent significant 
departures from

[[Page 58720]]

existing approaches, not simply incremental improvements. The IC Phase-
I Program seeks ``out-of-the-box'' thinking; therefore, well-developed 
ideas, past the conceptual stage, are not eligible for the Phase-I 
Program. Applications are invited from individual college/university 
researchers. Joint applications (as described under the Core Program) 
will also be accepted, although no additional funds are made available 
for joint versus individual applications. Unlike the Core Program, 
student participation in the IC Phase-I proposed research is strongly 
encouraged, however, not required. Funding for Phase-I grants will be 
limited to a total of $50K over a 12-month period.
    In the twenty-first century, 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 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. Technical topics like the ones identified 
below are potential examples of research areas of interest, however, 
the areas identified were not intended to be all-encompassing. 
Therefore, it is specifically emphasized that other subjects for coal 
research would receive the same evaluation and consideration for 
support as the examples cited.

Innovative Concepts Phase-I Technical Topics

Smart Sensing and Advanced Artificially Intelligent Control Systems

    The development of innovative concepts and techniques for smart 
sensing and advanced artificially intelligent control systems are 
needed to foster concurrent development efforts with advanced power 
generations technologies such as fuel cells, turbines, and 
gasification. Similar systems are also needed to deal with increasingly 
stringent emissions requirements (SO2 and NOX) 
for existing coal-fired power plants. The goal for new sensors and 
controls technology is to develop low cost, reliable, and accurate 
systems that permit real time monitoring and optimization of complex 
systems. For DOE's Vision 21 program, these advanced systems will 
support the production of power, chemicals, fuels, and/or steam with 
the highest efficiencies possible and near-zero emissions. The primary 
barriers for existing technologies are the harsh conditions that 
sensors may be exposed to combined with the need for extreme accuracy 
and fast response times. Incremental improvements of existing sensor 
and control technologies are not desired but rather revolutionary ideas 
that have the sound scientific basis to support significant 
advancements in this technology area.

Fundamental Study of Reaction Mechanism of Magnesium Silicates with 
Carbonic Acid and Other Solutions

    The carbonation of naturally occurring magnesium silicates has 
shown promise as a method of achieving long-term carbon sequestration. 
It has been demonstrated that magnesium silicates such as serpentine 
and olivine can be reacted with CO2 to produce a highly stable solid 
magnesium carbonate material. This process is based upon the 
dissolution of the magnesium silicates in an aqueous carbonic acid 
solution containing chemical additives such as NaCl. The critical rate-
limiting step in the carbonation process is currently believed to be 
the release or dissolution of the magnesium from the silicate into the 
solution.
    Faster and less energy intensive pathways must be identified in 
order to develop an economically viable process based on mineral 
carbonation. By gaining a better understanding of the fundamental 
reaction mechanisms, new approaches could be devised that offered 
faster and more economical carbonation routes. Consequently, gaining a 
better understanding of this process is of interest to the USDOE. 
Skilled investigators having the capability to conduct well-planned 
experimental and theoretical investigations that can elucidate the 
detailed reaction path, quantify reaction barriers, and develop 
strategies to increase carbonation reaction rates are encouraged to 
apply.

Nitrogen/Carbon Dioxide Separation

    Since the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, primarily 
carbon dioxide, is combustion of fossil fuels such as coal or natural 
gas, options to reduce carbon dioxide emissions are being examined. In 
particular, inorganic membranes based on metals, ceramics or zeolites 
are suitable for the separation of such gases because they can sustain 
severe conditions such as high pressure, chemical corrosion, and high 
temperature. Approaches are needed whereby the membrane can be tailored 
to separate carbon dioxide from the nitrogen, the latter being the 
predominant component in the flue gas of a fossil fuel fired power 
plant. For example, the separation could be caused by dopants in the 
inorganic membrane that prefer to bond with carbon dioxide and 
facilitate its surface diffusion along the pore wall. Proposals are 
invited wherein factors such as concentration of dopant and pore 
diameter will be investigated, along with molecular simulations, in 
order to maximize the separation factor.

Heterogeneous Reburning

    Recently, reburning with coal and coal-derived chars have been 
demonstrated to be an effective route for the reduction of nitrogen 
oxide emissions in boilers. Research is necessary to identify concepts 
for further reductions of nitrogen oxides and other detrimental 
emissions, such as carbon monoxide, through heterogeneous reburning.
    One example of such research is research to develop in-furnace 
combustion NOX reduction technologies that would reduce 
NOX emissions below 0.15 lb/MMBtu or be utilized in 
conjunction with other low cost NOX reduction technologies 
such as SNCR to achieve this objective while significantly reducing the 
overall cost of compliance when compared to SCR.

UCR Innovative Concepts Phase-II Program

    The goal of the Phase-II Program, the principal R&D effort of the 
IC Program, is to solicit research that augments research previously 
funded through 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 institutions receiving a Phase-I 
grant awarded in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 will be eligible to submit 
an application for continuation of their Phase-I projects. It's 
anticipated that at least 2-3 institutions submitting an application 
with approaches that appear sufficiently promising from the Phase-I 
efforts could receive a Phase-II award in 2002.

    Issued in Morgantown, WV on November 9, 2001.
Randolph L. Kesling, Director,
Acquisition and Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 01-29244 Filed 11-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P