PROJECT PROFILE
Client:
Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Fossil Energy

Constructed Value:
$52 Million

Project Duration:
1999 - 2004

Parsons Services:
Research Facility Operations, Program Product & Project Engineering & Analysis
NETL


The Fischer-Tropsch process produces environmentally friendly clean fuels from coal
by-products.
Over 100 Parsons engineers, scientists, and technicians provide research facility operational services at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Parsons designs, builds and operates in-house research and development facilities to study various energy and environmental technologies. One example is carbon dioxide sequestration. The increased level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is a major contributor to global climate change. The DOE and Parsons are exploring ways to capture CO2 from power plants and sequester it in the deep ocean or underground. The growing energy crisis in the western United States has increased the emphasis on finding environmentally friendly solutions for producing more power. One of these efforts is the "Power Plant Improvement Initiative," a fast-track plan to test technologies that can be installed on current power plants or designed into new plants to increase power generating efficiencies. Currently, coal-fired power plants convert only a third of the energy value of the fuel into electricity. The goal of this program is to generate more megawatts of electricity from the same amount of fuel.


Coolant flows to a sample probe at the
Combustion Environmental Research Facility.

Parsons' contract with the DOE at NETL is to provide services in management, procurement, fabrication/installation, operations, maintenance, data analysis, and reporting. Specific areas include computer modeling and analysis, analytical chemistry, mechanical and electrical engineering design, instrumentation and process control, and integrated safety management. In addition, Parsons' expertise contributes to the site's environmental and safety and health programs.

NETL is a unique entity in the DOE. The laboratory places great emphasis on partnering with industrial, academic, and other governmental stakeholders creating commercially viable technical solutions to energy and environmental problems to meet current and future energy needs.

One of the goals of the NETL is to develop new technologies and approaches that will ensure the safe, clean, and affordable use of fossil energy resources in the United States through the 21st century. The DOE is striving to meet the nation's increasing demand for affordable energy without compromising the quality of life for future generations of Americans.

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