PROGRAM AREA OVERVIEW --
FOSSIL ENERGY
Fossil energy plays a key role in our nation's prosperity, and it is important that we secure an adequate energy supply from our coal, natural gas, and oil resources. However, national complacency, derived from low-cost imported oil, has allowed petroleum imports to increase to alarming levels in the last two decades. We need not go far back in history to find out how uncertainty in petroleum supply can affect our nation's economic growth. Nonetheless, our near term power generation, heating, and transportation needs still require the utilization of these hydrocarbon-based fuels. As the economy expands, demand for hydrocarbons will increase accordingly. Therefore, the Office of Fossil Energy seeks to develop advanced fossil energy technologies that are environmentally sound and economically competitive.
Technological innovation is required to take advantage of the United States' large supply of coal and natural gas reserves. Coal's major drawback is that it contains sulfur, nitrogen, and trace heavy metals, precursors of pollutants that could have deleterious effects on the environment. Natural gas is also produced with a wide variety of pollutant-forming compounds, which preclude some applications such as fuel cells and advanced gas turbines. For both coal and natural gas, further improvements are needed to develop advanced, low cost, high-efficiency processes for the production of clean energy. Advanced technology development in materials utilization and recovery will be needed for these products - as well as innovations in sensors, electronics, and controls - to be commercially competitive.
Improvements are also needed in our ability to recover both oil and natural gas. About two-thirds of our national petroleum reserve is "unrecoverable"; i.e., it cannot be extracted economically by conventional means. This unused resource could play a major role in supplementing the national petroleum supply if efficient approaches were developed for improved extraction. Natural gas production and utilization could also be increased through improved characterization of reserves and better infrastructure.
The purpose of this solicitation is to seek the participation of small businesses in addressing problems related to utilization of coal and natural gas to produce power, and to the recovery of oil and natural gas.
1. MEASUREMENT AND TECHNOLOGY FOR GASIFIERS
To sustain our economic growth, we need to utilize our most abundant fossil energy resources, coal and natural gas, efficiently and environmentally safe. The Department of Energy (DOE) is supporting the development of advanced technology power plants that offer higher efficiency, lower emissions, and reduced capital and operating costs. The "Vision 21" concept is a new approach to the production of energy from fossil fuels in the 21st century. It will integrate advanced concepts for high-efficiency power generation and pollution control into a class of fuel-flexible facilities capable of operating with near zero environmental emissions. The approach includes a variety of configurations to meet differing market needs, including both distributed and central generation of power. The development and optimum performance of advanced coal gasifiers will be critical to the success of this program. This topic seeks to develop key support technologies and measurement techniques for these gasifiers. Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:
a. Removal of Mercury and Other Trace Contaminates in Gasifiers - Unlike pure chemical fuels like hydrogen or methane, coal and coal-biomass mixtures have trace amounts of non-fuel contaminates that are transferred to the gaseous phase when the fuel is gasified. These contaminants and their products then have the undesirable potential to be released into the environment if the gasifier product gas is burned or to pose problems for further downstream chemical processing of the gas. Examples of these contaminates are mercury, cadmium, arsenic, ammonia, selenium, sulfur, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen fluoride. While there are technologies available that can effectively remove these contaminates, these techniques are typically best used at relatively low temperatures and mild pressures, and can be costly to implement. Grant applications are sought to remove the trace contaminants stemming from the gasification of coal and coal-biomass mixtures at temperatures of at least 500
oF and at pressures in the range of 200 to 1000 psi. The level of contaminant removal should be similar to or better than the levels achieved with conventional technologies that operate at less severe conditions. While the removal of only one contaminant - mercury being the highest priority - would be of interest, priority will be given to approaches for the simultaneous removal of more than one contaminant.b. Feedstock Monitoring in Gasifiers - Grant applications are sought for the development of advanced on-line instrumentation to measure the solid mass flow entering the gasifier as well as other important feedstock characteristics such as heat content, organic content, total mineral content, and ash content. Of particular interest are approaches that can continuously and simultaneously measure more than one of the following feedstock parameters: feed rate; heating value; percent water content; concentrations of ash, sulfur, and nitrogen; and trace elemental contaminants such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, or lead. Potential gasifier feed streams could be either dry or slurry, and the fuel feedstocks include all ranks of coal as well as various biomass materials.
c. Temperature Measurement in Gasifiers - Grant applications are sought to develop robust temperature sensing techniques, instrumentation, or materials suitable for use in high temperature sensing applications. These techniques or materials need to be capable of accurately measuring temperatures in the range 500-2600oF at pressures from 400 to 1000 pounds per square inch. The harsh conditions inside the gasifer (which include a dirty, reducing, corrosive, and high-pressure atmosphere) are a major barrier to accurate temperature measurement. The environment in which the sensor must operate contains granular carbonaceous material, sticky and/or molten ash, and gas containing significant quantities of methane, water vapor, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and low concentrations of alkali metals, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen chloride, and ammonia. Proposed approaches should demonstrate the ability to withstand the relatively aggressive operating conditions found within a coal gasifier for one year of continuous operation.
d. Monitoring Particulates and Corrosion in Gasifiers - Grant applications are sought to develop a low level (0-10 ppm) particulate sensor to monitor the performance and/or failure of candle filters, used in gasification to remove particulates prior to delivering the gas stream to the turbine. Sensors that can determine whether or not the particulate concentration exceeds a specified set point (e.g., above or below 10 ppm) are of interest; however, sensors that can determine the particulate concentration are even more desirable. The sensor must be able to operate at temperatures in the range of 500-1000oF and at pressures on the order of 400 psi for up to one year. Although the temperature is not expected to vary greatly, the pressure will fluctuate, as the filters are routinely cleaned by reversing the gas flow and pulsing the filters.
Grant applications are also sought to monitor corrosion or determine the alkali concentration on-line within the gasifier. As alternative feedstocks are utilized, the concentration of alkali may increase and subsequently require control. Because alkali is thought to be generated in the gasifier at temperatures ranging from 800-2600oF, the measurement technique would have to be robust enough to withstand temperatures in this range, as well as other harsh conditions.
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Please note: (1) The technical topics are to be interpreted literally, and all grant applications must respond to a particular topic and subtopic. (2) Last year only 1 out of 4 grant applications were awarded; only those applications with high scientific/technical quality will be competitive. |
References
1. Kim, S. S. and McMahon, T. J., Proceedings of the Advanced Coal-Based Power and Environmental Systems '98 Conference, Morgantown, WV, July 21-23, 1998, Morgantown, WV: Federal Energy Technology Center, July 23, 1998. (Report No. DOE/FETC-98/1072) (Available on the Web at: http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/proceedings/98/98ps/98ps_toc.html)
2. Kolker, A., et al., Toxic Substances from Coal Combustion Phase I Coal Selection and Characterization, Technical Report, U.S. Department of Energy, July 16, 1998. (Report No. DE-AC22-95PC95101-09) (URL: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/2291-LB2tNB/webviewable/) (NTIS Order No. DE00002291. See Section 7.1)
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Utility Air Toxics Determination
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/actions.htm#utility
4. Vision 21 Technology Roadmap http://www.netl.doe.gov/products/power1/vision21/v21rdmp.pdf
2. SENSORS AND CONTROLS FOR ADVANCED POWER SYSTEMS
The utilization of sensors and advanced controls can provide the power industry with increased operational efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs. Concurrent with developments in power generation technology (advanced combustion, gasification, turbines, and fuel cells) advancements in robust sensing and control algorithms can accelerate the time to full-scale commercial implementation. However, the harsh conditions, created when converting fossil fuel to energy, present a barrier to making many of the desired measurements. The harsh conditions include high temperatures (1000-2000oC), elevated pressures (400-1000 psi), pressure oscillations, corrosive environments (reducing conditions, gaseous alkali), surface coating or fouling, and high particulate loading. Other factors (accuracy, reliability, longevity, calibration or validation, and cost) also increase the risk for developing commercially viable sensors and controls. Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:
a. On-Line Flow Quantification or Flow Control Via Fast Actuation - The optimization and control of the solid-fuel/air ratio are important for combustion or gasification processes. However, optimized control cannot be achieved without more rapid online detection and ensuing actuation methods to control the fuel and airflow. Grant applications are sought to develop techniques and designs for the rapid measurement and/or control of the solid fuel flow to individual burners and nozzles. Technique development and designs should focus on coal as the solid fuel of interest.
b. Emission Sensors for Use in Harsh Conditions - Minimizing and controlling emissions are critical functions in power generation systems. Emission monitoring is currently conducted in the stack or at the outlet of a system. Because of the lag time associated with stack measurements, these measurements are not used for closed loop control of the combustion process to minimize emissions. For closed loop control, novel sensors or sensing materials will be needed for combustion zone monitoring of emissions. Therefore, grant applications are sought to develop robust NOx sensors that can tolerate the harsh conditions in the combustion region. Proposed approaches may address one or more specific applications for the NOx measurement (i.e. turbine, boiler, SCR system); the key is the development of a robust sensor.
Grant applications are also sought for the accurate measurement of total and speciated mercury on-line, suitable for toxic release reporting. Accuracy and sensitivity of the measurement technique to low ppm levels of mercury in flue or exhaust gases will be a key consideration. Although not an initial requirement, proposed on-line approaches that also are highly robust would be of particular interest.
c. Advanced Control Algorithms to Facilitate the Integration and Operation of a Vision 21 Modular System - The Vision 21 Program is aimed at providing technologies for ultra-clean fossil fuel-based energy production with 60-75 percent efficiencies and near zero emissions. The program takes a modular approach to system development not only to generate power, but also to co-produce clean fuels, chemicals, steam and other useful products. In order to achieve ultra-high efficiency and environmental performance, the individual systems must operate at optimum conditions and in an integrated fashion. These challenging goals will require a multi-level, highly integrated, advanced control system. With modular, but interdependent components, the initial approach for control is an umbrella master/advisory system that integrates the controls for modular components through standardized communication. Grant applications are being sought for modular systems controls that incorporate smart feedback or feed-forward algorithms, utilizing neural networks and predictive models. Proposed approaches must include provisions for validating the models or algorithms.
d. Advanced Sensors to Improve Performance of Advanced Turbines - In order to sustain high performance in the operation of advanced turbine systems, new sensors are needed to improve reliability and control. Grant applications are sought to develop non-intrusive or embedded sensors that monitor component degradation and combustion instabilities. For component degradation, such as blade integrity, sensors are needed to monitor the failure of the thermal barrier coating and corrosion of the metal components. For combustion instabilities, sensors with millisecond response times are needed to monitor pressure oscillations or differential pressure. Of particular interest are approaches that include the development of smart sensing materials. Proposed sensors should be applicable to micro-turbines as well as large scale turbines; however, for micro-turbines in distributed power generation applications, consideration should be given to the remote data transmission capabilities of the instrumentation, used to carry out performance monitoring and system control from distant locations. Lastly, proposed approaches should compliment DOE's ongoing sensor development efforts (including flame ionization, flame condition, and flashback sensors) to improve turbine reliability and control.
Proposed materials and sensors must be capable of withstanding prolonged exposure to extreme conditions - temperatures within the turbine can be extremely high (2000oC) and are the primary barrier to most monitoring techniques. Typical operating pressures for a turbine are around 300 psi. For the purpose of sensor development, assume that the operating conditions for micro-turbines are similar to those for large scale turbines.
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Please note: (1) The technical topics are to be interpreted literally, and all grant applications must respond to a particular topic and subtopic. (2) Last year only 1 out of 4 grant applications were awarded; only those applications with high scientific/technical quality will be competitive. |
References
Subtopics a, b, and c
1. Brown, T. D., et al., "Mercury Measurement and Its Control: What We Know, Have Learned, and Need to Further Investigate," Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 49(6):628, June 1999. (ISSN: 1096-2247)
2. Coal and Power Systems: Strategic Plan and Multi-Year Program Plans [FY1999], U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, 1999. (URL: http://fossil.energy.gov/coal_power/programplans/99/index.html)
3. fossil.energy.gov
http://www.fe.doe.gov/
4. Millen, et al., "Plant Tests of an On-Line Multiple-Pipe Mass Flow Measuring System," Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, 11:153-158, 2000.
5. National Energy Technology Laboratory
http://www.netl.doe.gov/
6. NOx - How Nitrogen Oxides Affect the Way We Live and Breathe, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, September 1998. (URL: http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/nox/)
Subtopic d7. Anderson, R. L., et al., Advanced Turbine System Sensors and Controls Needs Assessment Study, Final Report, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, February 1, 1997. (Report No. ORNL/TM-13335) (NTIS Order No. DE98003643. See section 7.1) (Full text URL: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/291012-rjC6qW/webviewable/)
8. Aniolek, G. E. and Gregory, O. J., "Thin Film Thermocouples for Advanced Ceramic Gas Turbine Engines," Surface and Coatings Technology, 68/69:70-75, 1994.
9. Brown, D. M., et al., "SiC Flame Sensors for Gas Turbine Control Systems," Solid State Electronics, 42:755-760, 1998.
10. Gregory, O. J. and Luo, Q., "A Self-Compensated Ceramic Strain Gage for Use at Elevated Temperatures," Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 88:234-240, 2001.
11. Kim, S. S. and McMahon, T. J., Proceedings of the Advanced Coal-Based Power and Environmental Systems '98 Conference, Morgantown, WV, July 21-23, 1998, Morgantown, WV: Federal Energy Technology Center, July 23, 1998. (Report No. DOE/FETC-98/1072) (Available on the Web at: http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/proceedings/98/98ps/98ps_toc.html)
12. Poppe, C., et al., "Control of NOx Emissions in Confined Flames by Oscillations," Combustion and Flame, 113:13-26, 1998.
13. Vision 21 Technology Roadmap
National Energy Technology Laboratory
http://www.netl.doe.gov/products/power1/vision21/v21rdmp.pdf)
3. MATERIALS RESEARCH FOR FOSSIL ENERGY APPLICATIONS
The objective of the Fossil Energy Materials Program is to conduct research and development on materials for longer-term fossil energy applications as well as for generic needs of various fossil fuel technologies. The focus is on research leading to a scientific understanding of high-performance materials compatible with hostile fossil environments. The aim of exploratory research is to generate new materials, ideas and concepts which have the potential to significantly improve the performance or cost of existing fossil systems or enable the development of new systems and capabilities. Consequently, developing improved materials for high-temperature, high-pressure heat exchangers, hot gas filtration to remove particulate matter formed during coal combustion and coal gasification, high-temperature fuel cells, and advanced turbine systems (ATS) constitute major objectives of the program. Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:
a. Hydrogen Separation Membranes - Ceramic membranes offer significant advantages over other membranes; they show greater stability under the IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle) operating conditions and are likely to have a higher resistance to attack by the flue gas. In addition, the separation of streams of hydrogen and carbon dioxide in IGCC by ceramic membrane technology is more efficient than other separation technologies. Two types of ceramic membranes are being investigated for the recovery of hydrogen from coal gasification streams: porous membranes and dense membranes. These membrane types differ significantly in their microstructures, and, therefore, gas separation takes place by entirely different hydrogen diffusion mechanisms as described below. Grant applications are sought to further the development of either or both types of these ceramic membranes for commercial hydrogen production. Proposed approaches must demonstrate that the hydrogen can be produced in large quantities and at high purity; therefore, both the permeation properties and the selectivity of the membranes must be well characterized and understood.
In porous membranes, hydrogen is transported through the pores as molecules and the process occurs readily. The separation membrane is usually made from silica and/or alumina supported by a highly porous ceramic layer. Porous membranes are being designed to operate at temperatures in the region 500-600oC to be compatible with IGCC integration. Currently, the maximum operating temperature for these membranes is 300oC, although even at this temperature, there are concerns over the stability in H2O-containing atmospheres.
In dense membranes, hydrogen is transported in the solid phase as hydrogen ions (protons). The materials of interest for dense membranes are those which show high protonic conductivity, such as SrCeO3- and BaCeO3-. Transport in the solid phase requires more thermal energy than gas phase transport and hydrogen fluxes comparable to those obtained from porous membranes are only achievable at much higher temperatures, typically around 900oC. However, dense membranes offer a significant advantage - in principle, they can produce very high purity hydrogen because only hydrogen is transported through the membrane.
b. Turbine Coatings Development - Protective coatings play a key role in permitting the higher-temperature operation of advanced gas turbines and in extending the service life of these components. These coatings are broadly categorized as thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) and environmental barrier coatings (EBCs), depending on their primary function. In the past, the designs for these coatings, especially TBCs for single crystal (SX) turbine blades, were developed through a phenomenological approach. However, today, emphasis is on prime-reliant design (i.e., providing the designer with safe performance criteria) based on sound mechanistic knowledge of gas-solid interactions at high temperatures, and of the way in which these interactions influence the processes involved in degradation during service. Grant applications are sought for high-temperature protective coatings for gas turbines, along with a coherent strategy for their development. The aim is to identify the physically attainable limits and to push the operating envelope to that point through prime reliant design. Proposed approaches for the coatings should demonstrate low thermal conductivity, adhesion, and survivability under operating conditions.
Areas of interest include coatings for turbines based on both SX alloys and ceramics. For metallic substrates, separate coating layers may be required for the environmental and thermal barrier functions, whereas for ceramics, it may be possible to fulfill both roles in a single coating layer. Also of interest are manufacturing/coating processes that are airfoil-specific - e.g., coatings for vanes may be different than those for blades (different property/thickness requirements lead to different coating processes, etc.).
c. Innovative Sealing Concepts for Intermediate Temperature Planar Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Systems - Many planar solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) design concepts utilize gas seals at the edges or within the gas ports/manifolds to prevent mixing of the fuel and oxidant streams, as well as to maintain separation from the surrounding atmosphere. Effective long term, hermetic sealing at 700-850oC operating temperatures in the SOFC reducing and oxidizing environments is a limiting factor in the reliability of SOFC power systems. The designs are challenged further by the need to maintain hermetic sealing through operational transients that include material thermal expansion and contraction differences during start-up and shutdown periods and electrical load variations. Thermal stresses at the interfaces between different cell and stack materials tend to cause mechanical degradation. This is exacerbated by the fact that the tensile strength of SOFC materials is generally 20 percent of the compressive strength. Therefore, effective hermetic sealing concepts need to provide a degree of compliance to accommodate cell movement while minimizing structural loading to limit mechanical stresses on delicate cell components.
Grant applications are sought for innovative hermetic sealing materials and design concepts (e.g., compliant compressive seals, active seals, brazing) for planar SOFCs that operate in the above temperature range. Proposed approaches should combine analysis and testing to evaluate the practical limit of the sealing concept and demonstrate a potential service life of more than 40,000 hours for stationary systems, or at least 5,000 hours and 3,000 thermal cycles for transportation systems. Of particular interest is a determination of the structural load applied to cell components as a function of both temperature and temperature rate of change. Also of interest is a determination of cell surface condition requirements for various seal concepts, needed to support economic trade-off studies between seal material costs and cell surface machining costs. The ultimate objective is the development of an economically practical combination of both cell surface conditions and hermetic seal material/design that will achieve long life, gas tight sealing in the oxidizing and reducing environments of solid-oxide fuel cells.
d. Contaminant Resistant Anodes and Reforming Catalysts for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power Systems - Achieving the DOE Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) goal for fuel-flexibility will require the development of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC) power systems that can withstand the carbon and sulfur contaminants that exist in a variety of hydrocarbon fuels. In these SOFC systems, catalysts are used to reform the hydrocarbon fuels (e.g., diesel, gasoline, and natural gas) into a hydrogen rich synthesis gas that is supplied as fuel to the anodes. However, both the reforming catalysts and the fuel cell anodes experience performance and life limiting degradation due to carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning. Current methods to ameliorate these problems are difficult to implement. For example, carbon deposition can be inhibited by maintaining excess water vapor, which requires relatively large and costly equipment to preheat inlet water and then reclaim that water from the fuel cell exhaust (and/or replenish the water via an external source). Likewise, costly heat exchangers and adsorbent beds are currently employed to remove sulfur before the fuel reforming equipment (in order to protect the reformer catalyst) and/or after reforming (to protect the fuel cell anode).
Grant applications are sought to develop materials for the production of SOFC anodes or reforming catalysts that tolerate both carbon deposition (at reduced water concentrations) and high sulfur content (i.e., tolerant of >50 ppmv sulfur without prior desulfurization) from complex hydrocarbon fuels, without significant additions to the volume, weight, and costs of these systems. Selected materials must be thermally and chemically compatible with SOFC power systems and materials, and must sustain operating performance >40,000 hours for stationary applications and >5,000 hours and 3,000 thermal cycles for transportation systems. Lifetime effects (phase stability, thermal expansion compatibility, conductivity aging, and electrode sintering) must be addressed and characterized to the extent possible.
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Please note: (1) The technical topics are to be interpreted literally, and all grant applications must respond to a particular topic and subtopic. (2) Last year only 1 out of 4 grant applications were awarded; only those applications with high scientific/technical quality will be competitive. |
References
Subtopic a: Hydrogen Separation Membranes
1. Benson, S., Ceramics for Advanced Power Generation,
London: International Energy Agency (IEA) Coal Research, August 2000. (ISBN:
92-9029-349-7) (Available from IEA Coal Research. Online synopsis and
ordering information:
http://www.iea-coal.org.uk/publishing/generation/ccc37.htm)
2. Norby, T. and Larring, Y., "Mixed Hydrogen Ion-Electronic Conductors for Hydrogen Permeable Membranes," Solid State Ionics, 136-137:139-148, November 2, 2000. (ISSN: 0167-2738)
Subtopic b: Turbine Coatings Development
3. Rebillat, F., et al., "The Concept of a Strong Interface Applied to SiC/SiC Composites with a BN Interphase," Acta Materialia, 48(18-19):4609-4618, December 2000. (ISSN: 1359-6454)
4. Tzimas, E., et al., "Failure of Thermal Barrier Coating Systems Under Cyclic Thermomechanical Loading," Acta Materialia, 48(18-19):4699-4707, December 2000. (ISSN: 1359-6454)
Subtopic c: Innovative Sealing Concepts for Intermediate Temperature Planar Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Systems
5. Anderson, R. L., et al., Advanced Turbine System Sensors and Controls Needs Assessment Study, Technical Report, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, February 1, 1997. (Report No. ORNL/TM-13335) (NTIS Order No. DE98003643) (Full text URL: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/291012-rjC6qW/webviewable/)*
6. Bram, M., et al., "Application of Metallic Gaskets in SOFC Stacks," Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: SOFC-VII, p. 875, Proceedings of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 01-16, 2001, p. 875. (ISBN: 1566773229)
7. Khaleel, M. A., et al., "Thermo-Mechanical and Electrochemistry Modeling of Planar SOFC Stacks," Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: SOFC-VII, Proceedings of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 01-16, 2001, p. 1032. (ISBN: 1566773229)
8. Parthasarathy, T. A., et al., "Fabrication and Testing of Oxide/Oxide Microcomposites with Monazite and Hibonite as Interlayers," Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 82(12):3575-3583, December 1999. (ISSN 0002-7820)
9. Rebillat, F., et al., "The Concept of a Strong Interface Applied to SiC/SiC Composites with a BN Interphase," Acta Materialia, 48(18-19):4609-4618, December 2000. (ISSN: 1359-6454)
10. Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance
http://www.netl.doe.gov/scng/publications/secabroch.pdf
11. Tzimas, E., et al., "Failure of Thermal Barrier Coating Systems Under Cyclic Thermomechanical Loading," Acta Materialia, 48(18-19):4699-4707, December 2000. (ISSN: 1359-6454)
Subtopic d: Contaminant Resistant Anodes and Reforming Catalysts for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power Systems
12. Dees, D. W., et al., Interfacial Effects in Monolithic Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Argonne National Laboratory, 1989. (Report No. CONF-8910107-2) (NTIS Order No. DE90001914)*
13. Geyer, J., et al., "Investigations into the Kinetics of the Ni-YSZ-Cermet-Anode of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell," Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: SOFC-V, Proceedings of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 97-40, 1997, pp. 585-594. (ISBN: 1566771455)
14. Minh, N. Q. and Takahashi, T., Science and Technology of Ceramic Fuel Cells, Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1995. (ISBN: 0-444-89568-)
15. Primdahl, P. and Mogensen, M., "Limitations in the Hydrogen Oxidation Rate on Ni/YSZ Anodes," Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: SOFC-VI, Proceedings of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 99-19, 1999, pp. 530-540. (ISBN: 1566772427)
16. Singhal, S. C., et al., Anode Development for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Final Technical Report, Pittsburgh, PA: Westinghouse Research and Development Center, December 1986. (Report No. DOE/MC/22046-2371) (NITS Order No. DE87011136)*
17. Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance
http://www.netl.doe.gov/scng/publications/secabroch.pdf
(Use
"Zoom In Tool" to adjust text size.)
18. Stolten, D., et al., "Status of SOFC Development at Daimler-Benz/Dornier," Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: SOFC-V, Proceedings of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 97-40, 1997, pp. 88-93. (ISBN: 1566771455)
* Available from National Technical Information Service. See Section 7.1.
The Department of Energy (DOE) seeks innovative methods and concepts that will contribute to more efficient and economic processes for the recovery and utilization of oil and natural gas. Much of the known reserves of oil and gas discovered in the United States cannot be recovered by conventional techniques. The utilization of fossil fuels can be enhanced by the commercial production of pure fuels from natural gas. Accordingly, characterization, production, and utilization, as well as development of infrastructure, are important to the success of the program. Grant applications are sought only in the following subtopics:
a. Heavy Oil Recovery Using Cold Production or Cold Production with Sand - Cold Production or Cold Production with Sand are specialized methods used to aggressively recover and produce heavy oil. These methods produce large volumes of sand and result in cavities or wormholes in the reservoir. The yields of oil, typically produced as foamy oil or as a thick continuous foam, are usually greater than that predicted by current modeling methods; the productivity of heavy oil wells that undergo cold production may exceed radial Darcy flow predictions by factor of 10. However, these methods are costly and difficult to put into practice. Grant applications are sought to develop methods to improve Cold Production or Cold Production with Sand. Proposed approaches should include research to explain the abnormally high recovery rates of these methods. Thermal methods that use heat to lower the viscosity, including steam injection or in-situ combustion, are not of interest and will be declined.
b. Natural Gas Downstream Processing & Utilization - Over the past decade, the DOE Gas Processing Program has evolved in support of our national goal to expand the development and utilization of our abundant domestic natural gas resources. The use of natural gas offers environmental benefits over other conventional energy sources and helps to offset increasing oil imports. However, some natural gas resources (e.g., low quality on-shore or off-shore wells, coalbed methane production, or landfill gas sites) are in remote locations or contain large amounts of nonmethane gases and natural gas liquids which make them uneconomical to market as natural gas. If the nonmethane impurities and natural gas liquids could be removed, the economic and energy efficiency impacts would be significant. Grant applications are sought to develop small-scale facilities for raising low-quality raw natural gas to pipeline quality by removing nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water, hydrogen sulfide, and natural gas liquids. With respect to the removal of hydrogen sulfide from natural gas, the techniques sought must also encompass its subsequent or direct conversion to elemental sulfur or other environmentally benign products. Approaches that have crosscutting applications in coal and other fuel related areas (where feed, combustion, or waste streams require removal of impurities or the need to concentrate specific components) are of interest. These technology approaches may include membranes, absorption/adsorption, and/or hybrid combination of these technologies. In addition, in order to show market potential, teaming with industry for possible field-testing and demonstration of these techniques is required.
c. Deep Gas Drilling - In a recent National Petroleum Council gas study, deep formations were found to be the leading frontier for gas resource development. Without additional improvements in drilling technology, the development of this deep gas resource will be delayed until gas prices increase significantly. To augment DOE's deep gas drilling program, grant applications are sought to develop: (1) innovative, high-penetration-rate directional drilling systems (complete drill bit and motor systems, such as a directional air hammer, turbine, or other devices with the potential for penetration rates approaching that associated with underbalanced drilling) capable of minimal-vibration drilling to allow the unimpeded operation of downhole electronics associated with "smart" systems; (2) smart nanotechnology-based systems for use in high temperature downhole monitoring and/or control applications, capable of operating in excess of 200oC, preferably without active cooling (although active cooling would be considered if a complete system, such as a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) package based on nanotechnology, could be demonstrated to be potentially feasible and cost effective); or (3) high performance (high pressure, high temperature) sensors, suitable for use in logging-while-drilling (LWD) systems and capable of demonstrating a significant increase in performance compared to current systems (such as improved gamma ray detectors).
d. Natural Gas Infrastructure Reliability - Maintaining the integrity and reliability of the natural gas distribution and transmission systems across the United States is essential to ensure the availability of clean, affordable energy for our homes, businesses, and industries. Natural gas consumption in the U.S. is projected to reach or exceed 35 trillion cubic feet (TCF) per year by 2020, increasing from 22 TCF per year in 1997, and this increase will require maintaining much of the existing natural gas infrastructure and expanding on it. DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), through the Strategic Center for Natural Gas (SCNG), recently initiated a new program involving infrastructure reliability. The purpose of the Infrastructure Reliability for Natural Gas Program is to provide research and technology development to maintain and enhance the integrity and reliability of the Nation's gas transmission and distribution network. Grant applications are sought to develop: (1) advanced automation technologies, including sensors, for improved automated data acquisition, system monitoring, and control techniques between the field and control centers; or (2) improved technologies or tools (suitable for small openings - i.e., "keyhole" technologies) for internal repair of damaged pipe. Applicants are encouraged to review the document, "Pathways for Enhanced Integrity, Reliability and Deliverability" (available on the NETL Website at http://www.netl.doe.gov/scng/publications/naturalg.pdf), which summarizes a NETL-sponsored roadmapping session to identify priority research needs for the natural gas pipeline infrastructure.
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Please note: (1) The technical topics are to be interpreted literally, and all grant applications must respond to a particular topic and subtopic. (2) Last year only 1 out of 4 grant applications were awarded; only those applications with high scientific/technical quality will be competitive. |
References
1. Albright, J. N. and Dreesen, D. S., "Microboreholes-1: Microhole Technology Lowers Reservoir Exploration, Characterization Costs," Oil and Gas Journal, pp. 39-41, January 10, 2000. (ISSN: 0030-1388)
2. Byrer, C. W. and Malone, R. D., Proceedings of the Natural Gas Conference: Emerging Technologies for the Natural Gas Industry, Houston, Texas, March 24-27, 1997, U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Technology Center, March 1997. (Full text available on the Web at: http://www.netl.doe.gov/) (Click on "Publications" and then on "Proceedings." Scroll down to 1997 and click on title.)
3. Deep Trek Workshop Proceedings, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Strategic Center for Natural Gas, May 2001. (Full text available at: http://www.netl.doe.gov/scng/) (Click on "Exploration," and then on "E&P Reference Shelf." Scroll down to Publications and click on "2001: Deep Trek Workshop.")
4. "DeepLook Collaboration Selects Los Alamos to Provide Microhole Technology," DeepLook Press Release, August 1997. (Full text available on the Web at: http://www.deeplook.com/) (Click on "Press Release" and then on "8/97 Press Release.")
5. Denbina, E. S., et al., "Modelling Cold Production for Heavy Oil Reservoirs," Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, 40(3):23-29, March 2001. (ISSN: 0021-9487)
6. Malone, R. D., Proceedings of the Natural Gas RD&D Contractors Review Meeting, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, Morgantown Energy Technology Center, 1995. (Report No. DOE/METC- 95/1017) (NTIS Order No. DE95009703- vol. 1, DE95009704-vol.2)*
7. Marginal Oil and Gas Report: Fuel for Economic Growth, Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, 1999. (Full text URL: http://www.iogcc.state.ok.us/PDFS/99Marg_O&G.pdf)
8. Natural Gas Multi-Year Program Plan, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, December 1, 1997. (Report No. DOE/FE-0371) (NTIS Order No. DE98006506) (Full text URL: http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/653605-5J5g05/webviewable/)*
9. Natural Gas Strategic Plan and Program Crosscut Plans, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, June 1995. (Report No. DOE/FE-0343)
10. Oil and Gas R&D Programs, Technical Report,
Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, March
1997. (Report No. DOE/FE-98006507) (NTIS Order No. DE98006507) (Full text
URL:
http://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/653604-98Wo17/webviewable/)
11. Oil and Gas R&D Programs, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, February 1999. (Full text URL: http://fossil.energy.gov/oil_gas/progplan/99/99oilgasplan.html)
12. Simonsen, K. A., et al., "Changing Fuel Formulations Will Boost Hydrogen Demand," Oil and Gas Journal, 91(12):45-58, March 22, 1993. (ISSN: 0030-1388)
* Available from National Technical Information Service. See Section 7.1.