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Show INTRODUCTION Since its inception in 1977, the U. S. Department of Energy has conducted research, . development and demonstration activities in industrial combustion. Recently, as part of the Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT), industrial combustion projects fell into two Program areas: Combustion Technology and Combustion Equipment, the former focusing on combustion fundamentals and the investigation of novel combustion concepts, and the latter focusing on the development and demonstration of advanced combustion systems. Both Programs have recently added emissions minimization to the traditional goal of energy efficiency. Both Programs have been formulated to reflect the needs of American industry. With the start of this year, OIT shifted from a technology focus to an industry focus. The industries of emphasis are: aluminum, chemicals, forest products, glass, metal casting, petroleum rerming and steel. The decision to focus on seven target industries was made since they consume well over 80% of the energy used by U. S. industry and they are responsible for more than 90% of the waste and air emissions generated by industry. This strategy has been termed by OIT the "Industries of the Future". While previous OIT activities were centered on broad technological advancements, with the industry focus, OIT projects now direct these technological advancements toward meeting the needs of seven target industries. WHY INDUSTRIES OF THE FUTURE? In recent years, industry and government leaders have recognized that issues of competitiveness, the environment, jobs, and energy cannot be addressed successfully with a short term perspective or with fragmented, often conflicting agendas. If the U. S. is to maintain leadership in the global economy, key participants must come together to tackle these issues cooperatively. Improvements can boost efficiency and environmental performance, while simultaneously reducing energy and resource use and cutting industry costs. 2 |