01. RFI-2025-07-15-GP.pdf

RFI-2025-07-15-GP

BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, PACIFIC NORTHWEST DIVISION'S

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION NUMBER RFI-2025-07-15-GP

ENGINEERING, PROCUREMENT, AND FABRICATION FOR A PILOT-SCALE

HYDROTHERMAL LIQUEFACTION PLANT

1. Document Purpose

Battelle as operator of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is requesting information from companies with demonstrated engineering, procurement, and fabrication experience of biomass processing and conversion plants (or hydrothermal processing technologies) with specific interest in hydrothermal liquefaction plants.

The information gained from this RFI will identify companies with the interest and experience to successfully design and fabricate a pilot scale hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) pilot plant capable of processing biomass at a scale of 0.5 dry tons per day (dtpd) based on Battelle’s internal concept. The primary purpose of the HTL pilot plant will be to demonstrate successful, uninterrupted operation for 500 consecutive hours producing approximately 1 barrel per day of biocrude product.

This is not a Request for Proposal. Battelle is evaluating deployment opportunities at this time, and responses to this RFI do not commit Battelle to any further action.

2. Background on the Research

HTL has the potential to be a nexus between diverse organic waste management and biofuels production. HTL is well suited for conversion of high moisture organic materials, such as municipal wastewater sludges, algae, food waste, manures, and other agricultural wastes into biocrude oil. The resulting biocrude is suitable for refining into renewable liquid fuels, including synthetic aviation fuel, marine fuel, and renewable diesel.

The principles of the HTL process were first outlined over a century ago. While conceptually straightforward, the development of HTL technology at pilot and commercial scales has been limited. HTL involves the use of hot, near-critical, compressed water (373.9 °C and 220.6 bar) as both a solvent and reactant to convert biomass into biocrude. During this process, a series of reactions take place, enabling the breakdown of polymeric substances within biomass into a water-insoluble biocrude, alongside water-soluble compounds in an aqueous phase, gases, and solid residues.

Interest in the HTL process surged during the crude oil crises of the 1970s and 1980s, prompting significant research and development efforts. Key contributions came from research institutions like PNNL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Pittsburgh Energy Research Center. Presently, there are limited examples of subcritical HTL pilot, demonstration, or commercial scale systems in North America, a HTL demonstration plant is under construction at Metro Vancouver Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Delta (Canada) while in Europe, Circlia Nordic is offering small scale HTL systems (up to 15 dtpd) for commercial purchase.

Despite its promising results, HTL technology has yet to see widespread adoption.

Comprehensive performance evaluations and detailed engineering studies are needed to guide industrial-scale implementation. Further pilot and demonstration projects are critical to attracting stakeholders for the necessary investment for the construction of commercial-scale plants. Battelle has interest in housing the largest hydrothermal liquefaction process research facility in the U.S. to implement develop and prove technology at relevant scale.

Through DOE support, Battelle has carried out research to advance the technical readiness of HTL including operation of an engineering-scale modular process development unit (PDU) capable of processing approximately 50 kg (dry basis) of biomass per day. To further develop the technology, Battelle is redesigning the PNNL HTL PDU to enhance process reliability, reduce downtime, maintain product quality, and increase operator safety. The redesign will target a feed throughput of approximately 0.5 dtpd, resulting in approximately one barrel per day of biocrude production.

3. Information Requested

Battelle is requesting information from companies that are capable of detailed engineering design, procurement, and fabrication of an HTL pilot plant capable of processing 0.5 tons feedstock (dry basis) per day with successful uninterrupted operations for up to 500 consecutive hours. The company would work with Battelle to develop the internal concept already in place to a physical pilot plant that fulfills the targeted needs. To gauge the market capabilities and interest in this effort, Battelle requests responses the questions identified in Attachment 1, RFI Questions.

4. Request for Information Response Guidelines

This RFI will be open for responses beginning on July 15, 2025 and ending on August 26, 2025. Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically via email to Garrett Prather at garrett.prather@pnnl.gov no later than 1:00 pm PDT on August 26, 2025.

Company responses should be provided using Attachment 1 and be fewer than 10 pages total. Companies must submit Attachment 1 and any other relevant documents via email to the representative listed above. It is recommended that attachments with file sizes exceeding 25MB be compressed (i.e., zipped) to ensure message delivery.

Responses must be provided as a Microsoft Word (.docx) or PDF attachment. Only electronic responses will be accepted.

Battelle will not respond to individual submissions; however, Battelle may publish a technical report of RFI responses that does not contain personally identifiable information or confidential, proprietary, or privileged information. A response to this RFI will not be viewed as a binding commitment to pursue the research or ideas discussed.

Respondents are requested to provide the following information at the start of their response to this RFI:

• Company / Institution name

• Company / Institution contact

• Contact address, phone number, and e-mail address mailto:garrett.prather@pnnl.gov

5. Disclaimer and Important Notes

This is solely a request for information and not a funding announcement. There is no guarantee that an RFP or funding will be issued as a result of this RFI. Responding to this RFI does not provide any advantage or disadvantage to potential applicants if Battelle chooses to issue an RFP regarding the subject matter.

Any information obtained as a result of this RFI is intended to be used by the Government on a non-attribution basis for planning and strategy development; this RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts. Your response to this notice will be treated as information only. Battelle will review and consider all responses in their formulation of program strategies for the identified materials of interest that are the subject of this request. Respondents are advised that Battelle is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI.

Responses to this RFI do not bind Battelle or DOE to any further actions related to this topic.

6. Attachments

1. RFI Questions