RFI Collaboration Opportunity Notice for Parties Interested in Partnering with NETL on FOA No. DE-FOA-0002289

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The ARPA-E REPAIR FOA is soliciting applications for technologies required to rehabilitate legacy natural gas distribution pipes. The desired rehabilitation technologies will enable the automated construction of a new pipe inside the old pipe. The primary success criteria are the new pipe (1) must meet utilities’ and regulatory agencies’ requirements, (2) have a minimum life of 50 years, (3) have sufficient material properties to operate throughout its service life without reliance on the exterior pipe, and (4) have an installation cost of less than $1 million per mile.

For the ARPA-E REPAIR FOA, NETL seeks to engage partners for one or more the following research topics to help accomplish the ARPA-E program’s objectives:

  • Joining technologies: Various joining technologies (ultrasonic welding, laser welding, etc.) for thin metal foils will need to be developed and scaled up for continuous operation.
  • Coating technologies: Polymer coatings will be applied inside and outside of the liner for mechanical strength and corrosion protection.
  • Sensor technologies: The proposed composite liner will be embedded with the state-of-the-art sensor technologies to remotely monitor the health of liners over time. Corrosion, gas composition, and strain monitoring are of interest.
  • Testing and characterization of composite materials.
  • Manufacturing: Joining and coating capabilities to fabricate pipes/liners 10-20 in diameter and 3-20 ft long.
  • Expertise in natural gas pipeline regulations in state and federal level.
  • Experience relevant to the development of embedded sensors.
  • Development of a novel coating with smart features.

The project duration will be proposed at up to 24 months. The anticipated funding for the partner selected under this opportunity to participate is up to $1,000,000 total, which includes mandatory cost share of up to 20%* of total project costs. NETL anticipates total project costs to be proposed at up to $2,000,000.

*Project Teams composed exclusively of domestic educational institutions, domestic nonprofits, and/or FFRDCs/DOE Labs/Federal agencies and instrumentalities (other than DOE) are not required to providecost share.