Proposal:

Execute Contracts and Amend Contracts with CE-CERT

Synopsis:

In the FY 1996-97 Budget, $700,000 is identified for CE-CERT to conduct several technology advancement projects: (1) Measurement of Primary Particulate Matter Emissions from Light-Duty Motor Vehicles; (2) Smoking Vehicle Project, Medium-Duty Diesel Trucks; (3) Inventory of AFVs & AFV Comparison, OEM vs Retrofits; (4) Development of Advanced Low-Emitting Propane Fueled Vehicle; (5) Operation & Improvement of the Solar Hydrogen Facility; (6) Phase III of the Gasoline Composition Study; and (7) Smog Chamber Evaluation of AFV Emissions

. Committee:

Technology, August 16, 1996, Recommended for Approval

Recommended Action:

Authorize the Chairman to execute contracts and contract amendments with the University of California (CE-CERT) in an amount not to exceed $700,000 to conduct projects in demonstration and testing of advanced air pollution control technologies and cleaner burning fuels.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

The Board established the AQMD's Technology Advancement (TA) program in 1988 to help meet the goals of the AQMP for implementation of progressively lower emitting technologies and fuels. A significant ingredient in the success of this program has been the contributions made by various academic institutions within the South Coast Air Basin. For example, local universities offer the TA program access to a wealth of technical expertise and resources regarding low-emission technologies. At the same time, AQMD support for universities allows them to better provide hands-on training and experience for tomorrow's professionals in such essential fields as emissions control, environmental engineering, automotive mechanics, and electrochemistry.

In 1991 the University of California, Riverside (UCR) established CE-CERT (the College of Engineering - Center for Environmental Research and Technology) to facilitate more rapid transfer of air pollution control technology, from research and development to commercial implementation. CE-CERT also was established to provide independent testing for emerging low- and zero-emission technologies. A Board of Advisors made up of corporate, university, and regulatory agency representatives was established to oversee CE-CERT's technical agenda, which is focused primarily on technologies identified in the AQMP as essential to attainment of ambient air quality standards. During the last five years, the AQMD has worked closely with CE-CERT in the research, development, demonstration, and testing of advanced air pollution control technologies and cleaner burning fuels. In the FY 1996-97 Budget, $700,000 has been identified as a contract sub-category for CE-CERT to conduct such projects. This action is to apply this FY 1996-97 funding to conduct new projects and expand the scope of several existing CE-CERT projects.

Proposals

1. Measurement of Primary Particulate Matter Emissions from Light-Duty Motor Vehicles

Recent studies of primary particulate matter (PM) emissions from light-duty motor vehicles indicate that some vehicles, notably those emitting visible smoke, may produce PM at rates substantially higher than assumed currently. No recent studies provide adequate data to accurately assess the contribution of in-use light-duty vehicles to the PM inventory. The results of this study will create a baseline PM emissions inventory for vehicles operating on conventional fuel, which can be used to determine potential emissions benefits from vehicles operating on alternative fuels.

CE-CERT will test and provide data on emission rates and size distributions of primary particulate matter from a large and representative number of in-use light-duty vehicles. The emphasis of the measurements will be on emissions of PM10 and PM2.5, and characterization of the chemical composition of the measured particulate. Total cost for this project is $200,000. AQMD's co-funding shall not exceed $100,000, with the remaining $100,000 being co-funded by the Coordinating Research Council.

2. Smoking Vehicle Project, Medium-Duty Diesel Trucks

In this project, CE-CERT will conduct an assessment of the contribution of medium- and light heavy-duty vehicles to the particulate emissions inventory. The results of this study will create a baseline PM emission inventory for medium- and light heavy-duty trucks operating on diesel fuel and will be used to determine the emissions benefits from the same category of trucks operating on alternative fuels. Data will be collected from the Department of Motor Vehicles and other sources to estimate the population of these vehicles in the Basin. Furthermore, a representative sample of these vehicles will then be recruited for dynamometer testing to develop emission factors for PM10 and PM2.5. Chemical analysis will be performed on particulate samples collected during dynamometer testing to determine the elemental and organic carbon distributions. AQMD's funding for this project shall not exceed $100,000.

3. Inventory of AFVs & AFV Comparison; OEM vs Retrofits

CE-CERT will perform a survey of public and private fleets in the Basin to determine the population of alternative fuel vehicles. Information to be gathered shall include fuel type (methanol, ethanol, natural gas, propane, electric, etc.), retrofit or original equipment manufacturer, class of vehicle (light-, medium- or heavy-duty), and number of AFV's in the fleet.

In addition, kits to retrofit light-duty vehicles to operate on natural gas or propane have improved greatly in the last three years. No comprehensive comparison has been made between the emissions of 1990 or later model vehicles that have been retrofitted to operate on propane or natural gas and their gasoline counterparts. This project will select a representative number of vehicles and perform emissions testing on the AFVs and their gasoline counterparts. AQMD's funding for this project shall not exceed $250,000.

4. Development of Advanced Low-Emitting Propane Fueled Vehicle

In this project, CE-CERT will work on developing an advanced technology vehicle fueled with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This project will be part of TA's overall program of providing funding opportunities for colleges and universities for developing clean alternative fuel propulsion systems. In addition, this project supports the ARB's low emission vehicle regulations. District's funding for this project shall not exceed $50,000.

5. Operation & Improvement of the Solar Hydrogen Facility, Phase III (Contract 95073, Project 6)

CE-CERT provides ongoing maintenance and operation of UCR's Solar Hydrogen Research Facility, which was established through an AQMD-cosponsored program in 1991. The proposed FY 1996-97 funding will allow CE-CERT to continue maintaining and operating this unique research facility for approximately 18 more months. Needed upgrades include installing a system to remove moisture from the compressed hydrogen, and the procurement of a hardened steel cylinder to address compressor wear problems. Maintenance includes cleaning the grounds and equipment, verification of equipment performance, making necessary repairs, and routine servicing of the electrolysis skid, gas bell, and hydrogen compressor. Operation of the facility includes data acquisition, analysis, and reporting; as well as daily supervision of the hydrogen-refueling station. CE-CERT staff and students provide tours of the facility in response to requests from all over the world. AQMD's funding for this project shall not exceed $50,000.

6. Phase III of the Gasoline Composition Study (Contract 94166)

CE-CERT has been conducting Phase I and Phase II of an air quality benefit assessment for 1996 reformulated gasoline (RFG) versus baseline gasoline. Currently the RFG which was introduced in the Basin in March 1996 is considered as the new baseline gasoline. The results of this study will be used to compare the composition of RFG with the old baseline and transitional gasoline, and it will serve as the basis for comparison of future improvements in gasoline formulations and current alternative fuels. The multi-phased program in its entirety involves the following aspects: establishment of a protocol for surveying baseline and future gasoline and the conduct of fuel analysis to determine physical and chemical composition, as well as fuel variability; calculation and comparison of reactivity.

In Phase I, CE-CERT formed and convened an advisory panel that included representation from the automotive and oil industries. Using protocols recommended by the advisory panel, CE-CERT has analyzed 60 winter and 60 summer fuel samples of transitional gasoline. The results of Phase I have quantified the transition period of baseline gasoline to RFG. For example, these tests have documented decreases in both benzene content and Reid Vapor Pressure. In Phase II which is currently underway, CE-CERT is in the process of procuring and analyzing 60 samples of 1996 RFG under summer formulations.

In the proposed Phase III, which will complete this multiphase project, CE-CERT will procure and analyze 60 samples of 1996 RFG under winter formulations that have higher volatility. As in Phases I & II, each gasoline sample will be analyzed to identify specific compounds and reactivity. AQMD's funding for Phase III of this project shall not exceed $100,000.

7. Smog Chamber Evaluation of AFV Emissions (Contract 95073, Project 4)

Since December 1994, the AQMD has been sponsoring CE-CERT to conduct a study to evaluate the atmospheric reactivity of emissions from light- and medium-duty vehicles operating on reformulated gasoline and alternative fuels. The results of this study will show the potential of ozone formation from light- and medium-duty vehicles operating on alternative fuels. In March 1996, the ARB committed $253,327 in cost-sharing to support the smog chamber operations of the project through November 1997. CE-CERT now requests additional AQMD funding to expand the scope of this project by increasing the testing matrix to include more vehicle and fuel types. CE-CERT shall perform an additional 18 exhaust emissions tests. The tests will be conducted on the vehicle/fuel combinations to investigate vehicle-to-vehicle and test-to-test variability. AQMD's funding for this project shall not exceed $50,000.

These proposed projects are included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved on March 8, 1996, as part of Project MS-11, "Development and Demonstration of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Technologies for On-Road Applications" and Project TR-01, "Advanced Transportation Systems Research, Development, and Demonstration." The expected benefits of these projects include the evaluation of on-road emission changes due to reformulated gasoline, alternative fuels, and advanced control technologies.

Sole Source Justification

Section II, Step C(3) of the Consultant Selection Policy and Procedure identifies four provisions under which a sole-source bid may be justified: (1) cost to prepare documents exceeds cost for consultation, (2) delay would result in the endangerment of public health, (3) services are only available from sole source, and (4) other circumstances exist identifying sole source as in the best interests of the District.

This request for a sole-source bid is made under provision (4). The University of California, Riverside's CE-CERT brings together a critical mass of experience from academia, industry, and government agencies to accomplish the stated objectives of the proposed projects. CE-CERT serves a unique role in the Basin as an independent and objective scientific body capable of providing in-depth and valid evaluations of new environmental regulations and technologies. It has established a broad-based research agenda with unique facilities, capabilities, and resources that are requisite and directly applicable for completion of the proposed scopes of work. CE-CERT's established areas of expertise and available resources that directly relate to the proposed work include: vehicle emissions research and testing, advanced vehicle engineering, renewable fuels and energy engineering, chemical analysis of fuels, design and fabrication of hydrogen engines, integration of fuel cells into test vehicles, transportation systems research, environmental modeling, and atmospheric processes. Staff believes that these broad-based capabilities and resources, uniquely offered by an in-Basin university having a long history of academic excellence in the field of air pollution control, justify additional AQMD funding for the specified contracts with CE-CERT. Furthermore, staff believes that it is in the best interest of the District to rely on CE-CERT's known expertise and mobile-source knowledge to continue the proposed research programs.

CE-CERT encourages the participation of, and uses as subcontractors, small businesses, and minority-, disabled veteran-, and women-owned business enterprises in its programs to the maximum extent possible to ensure efficient performance and compliance with contract requirements and applicable laws.

Resource Impacts

Total cost to the AQMD for the proposed amendments and new contracts is $700,000. The specific breakdown of proposed AQMD funding by project is as follows: