PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract with New Emission Reduction Associates to
Cost-Share Evaluation of In-Use Vehicles Retrofitted with
Advanced Aftermarket Catalytic Converters.

SYNOPSIS:

The effectiveness of vehicle catalytic converters decreases as mileage increases. In this project, New Emission Reduction Associates (New ERA) will evaluate the effectiveness of replacing factory-equipped catalytic converters from in-use vehicles with advanced aftermarket units. This strategy could ultimately be used to generate emission reductions which could be used towards compliance with AQMD rules. Total project cost is $140,000. AQMD costsharing is $70,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 28, 1997, Recommended for Approval.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Recognize $70,000 in revenue from the ARB.

2. Transfer $70,000 from the Advanced Technology Fund to the General Fund and appropriate $140,000 from the General Fund Undesignated Fund Balance to the Services and Supplies Major Object, Professional and Special Services Account in the Technology Advancement Office.

3. Authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement for $70,000 with the ARB to co-sponsor an evaluation of the effectiveness of replacing factory-equipped catalytic converters with advanced aftermarket units, to be passed through from AQMD to New ERA.

4. Authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement with New ERA in an amount not to exceed $140,000 to sponsor an evaluation of the effectiveness of replacing factory-equipped catalytic converters with advanced aftermarket units.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

On-road motor vehicle regulatory efforts have focused primarily on establishing progressively more stringent command-and-control regulations for new vehicles. This strategy has been very successful, resulting in dramatic emissions benefits over the last two decades. Critical to this success has been the development of sophisticated emission control systems based on catalytic converter technology.

In general terms, a catalytic converter is a device which reduces the HC, NO_x, and CO emissions produced during combustion through a chemical process. It consists of the catalyst and the converter. The catalyst is a honeycomb structure that is coated with a thin layer of noble metals which, when heated, is capable of oxidizing HC and CO and reducing NO_x. The converter is the assembly and housing built to contain and protect the catalyst. The catalytic converter is placed in the exhaust pipe, where exhaust gases can be routed through the unit, typically in very close proximity to the engine for heating purposes.

As vehicle mileages increase, the ability of their catalytic converters to control emissions is diminished, often to the point where catalyst replacement is warranted. Vehicle manufacturer-installed emission control systems are warranted on new cars for 50,000 to 100,000 miles. Normally, catalytic converters are replaced when there has been destruction of the emissions control or exhaust systems by rust or accidents or when the catalyst has been destroyed by overheating or plugging. Catalytic converters still in service and not replaced after 50,000 miles may have degraded to the point where control efficiencies are between 20 and 60 percent of original values. The ARB has developed certification procedures for aftermarket replacement catalytic converters, which require ROG/CO/NO_x control efficiencies of 70/70/60 percent after 25,000 miles.

It has been suggested that aftermarket catalytic converters exceeding the standards established by the ARB could be used for replacement purposes, resulting in excess emission reductions which could be used towards compliance with AQMD rules (e.g., RECLAIM, New Source Review, and Rule 2202).

Proposal

New ERA has proposed the use of upgraded commercially available, ARB-certified aftermarket catalytic converters meeting ROG/CO/NO_x control efficiencies of 80/80/70 percent after 50,000 miles. Emissions testing of up to 20 vehicles, first with original catalytic converters and next with the upgraded aftermarket catalytic converters, will be conducted to quantify emission reductions possible with the replacement units. Data collected from the emissions testing will be analyzed to determine the cost effectiveness of the upgraded aftermarket catalytic converters and to determine the suitability of this strategy to generate emission reductions which could be used towards compliance with AQMD rules.

This proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved on October 11, 1996, as Project T2-2, "Demonstration of Upgraded Catalytic Converter Retrofits." The expected benefits of this project include the evaluation of an innovative approach to emissions control which could result in direct reductions in HC, NO_x, and CO emissions from in-use California vehicles. If found to be feasible and cost effective, retrofitting with updated catalytic converters could provide additional compliance flexibility for the Basin’s regulated community. In addition, the ultimate implementation of this strategy would directly address emissions from the large population of aging, in-use vehicles.

Sole Source Justification

Section II, Step 3(C) of the Consultant Selection Policy identifies four provisions under which the Governing Board may award a sole-source contract: (1) cost to prepare documents exceeds the cost for consultants; (2) delay would result in the endangerment of public health, (3) services are only available from the sole source, (4) other circumstances exist identifying the sole source as in the best interest of the AQMD. This request for sole source award is being made under provision (4).

New ERA has assembled a highly qualified team to execute this project:

(1) New ERA team members include experts in the field of automotive catalytic converters and exhaust systems. They include a former Director of Engineering at Perfection Automotive Products (PAP). New ERA will be responsible for overall project management, data evaluation and analysis, and generation of a final report.

(2) Automotive Testing and Development Services (ATDS) of Ontario, California will be the subcontractor responsible for vehicle testing. ATDS has extensive experience in vehicle emissions testing and has been used by the ARB and the automotive industry to conduct vehicle evaluations and control certification testing. The ATDS team will be responsible for all mechanical, installation and testing work on the project vehicles.

(3) PAP and Allied Signal Environmental Catalysts (ASEC) will supply a series of upgraded, commercially available, aftermarket catalytic converters that will be used for this project. PAP is the largest supplier of aftermarket replacement converters in the United States. ASEC, which also manufactures original equipment catalysts, is the primary American supplier of catalyst material for aftermarket converter manufacturers and suppliers.

New ERA, ATDS, PAP, and ASEC encourage the participation of minority-owned, women-owned, and disabled-veteran-owned business enterprises in their programs to the maximum extent possible to ensure efficient performance and to comply with contract requirements and applicable laws.

Resource Impacts

The total cost of the project is $140,000, with AQMD’s co-sponsorship amount not to exceed $70,000. The ARB intends to provide $70,000 in funding for this project. Sufficient funds for this project are available in the Advanced Technology Fund.

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