Proposal:

Execute Contract with Acurex Environmental Corporation to Cost-Share Demonstration of Cryogenic Refrigeration Technology in Truck Trailers

Synopsis:

Acurex Environmental Corporation has proposed a demonstration of prototype cryogenic refrigeration technology on trailers at a truck host site in the Basin. The technology, originally developed by General Cryogenics, Inc. and licensed to Thermo King Corporation, operates using liquid carbon dioxide as the refrigerant and to power the air recirculation pump in the cooling mode, eliminating the need for both chlorofluorocarbon coolant and the conventional diesel-powered compressor-type refrigerator. Total project cost is $699,892 with AQMD cost-sharing of $250,000.

Committee:

Technology, February 28, 1997, Recommended for Approval

Recommended Action:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Acurex Environmental Corporation in an amount not to exceed $250,000 to implement and manage a program to demonstrate non-diesel, non-CFC transport refrigeration systems on four trailers at a truck host site in the Basin.

James M. Lents, Ph.D.
Executive Officer

Background

Transport refrigeration systems are a significant source of both CFCs and diesel emissions in the Basin. A typical conventional trailer refrigeration system carries a charge of about 27 pounds of refrigerant. The inevitable eventual release of this CFC refrigerant into the atmosphere poses an ongoing risk to the stratospheric ozone layer and also acts detrimentally as a greenhouse gas. The diesel generator on the typical transport refrigeration system is a 35-horsepower engine which produces virtually uncontrolled exhaust emissions.

General Cryogenics, Inc. has developed a non-diesel, non-CFC Cryo-Mechanical transport refrigeration system. With this system, a non-CFC refrigerant (e.g., liquid CO₂ or nitrogen) is used for both cooling and to power the air recirculation pump used in cooling mode. This eliminates the need for both CFC coolant and the conventional diesel-powered compressor-type refrigerator. With the cryogenic system, 100 percent of the diesel emissions are eliminated as long as the system operates in refrigeration mode (as opposed to defrost mode, necessary to keep produce or other product from freezing when ambient temperatures drop below 32^o -- a rare occurrence in most of Southern California). When the system operates in defrost mode, a propane-fueled heating unit, is used.

In 1991, with AQMD co-funding, identical trailers equipped with a General Cryogenics system using CO₂ and a conventional diesel transport refrigeration system were evaluated for a period of roughly four months during normal operation in the Von’s Groceries fleet. Before the project could proceed to a more comprehensive test program, the licensing rights to the General Cryogenics system were purchased by Thermo King Corporation. This resulted in termination of the project before implementation of a task to characterize emissions from the General Cryogenics and conventional systems.

Proposal

Since purchasing the licensing rights, Thermo King has made significant improvements to the original General Cryogenics system design. Acurex Environmental Corporation, in cooperation with Thermo King, has proposed to demonstrate the improved cryogenic refrigeration systems on four trailers at a truck host site in the Basin.

There are 4 major tasks identified for this project: (1) identify and select a Basin host fleet; (2) install test units on 4 trailers; (3) conduct field testing and collect data; and (4) complete an assessment of data collected during field testing.

The proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Plan, approved on October 11, 1996, as Project M1-3, "Advanced Heavy-Duty Truck Development and Demonstration Program." This project offers substantial air quality benefits in two areas: elimination of CFC emissions and complete elimination of criteria pollutants (CO, NO_x, SO_x, PM) and potentially toxic emissions associated with diesel systems. In addition, the successful demonstration of this technology in the current fleet could encourage accelerated commercial introduction.

Sole Source Justification

Section II, Step 3,(C) of the Consultant Selection Policy and Procedure identifies four provisions under which a sole-source award may be justified: (1) cost to prepare documents exceeds cost for consultant, (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 AQMD. This request for sole-source award is made under provision (4).

Acurex Environmental Corporation is internationally recognized as a transportation / air quality technology demonstration consultant. Acurex is very experienced in working with local distributors and dealers to procure, install, maintain, and test prototype hardware. Acurex also has considerable experience with the unique air quality problems of the South Coast Air Basin, previously serving as the lead contractor on numerous low-emission and alternative fuel vehicle demonstration projects. Acurex has performed numerous assessments of emission reduction strategies and emission inventories for the AQMD and other California clients, and is recognized as a leader in integrating "hands on" familiarity with low-emission hardware and their understanding of the engineering and scientific fundamentals that make the hardware demonstrations relevant.

Thermo King introduced the first mechanical transport refrigeration unit in 1938 and is currently the world leader in transport refrigeration with temperature control products for truck bodies, trailers, seagoing containers, buses, and rail cars. As the exclusive licensee of the non-diesel non-CFC transport refrigeration system developed by General Cryogenics, Thermo King’s active involvement in the proposed project presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate and evaluate this innovative technology under real-world conditions. In addition, because of Thermo King’s leadership role in the supply of transport refrigeration units worldwide, this project could ultimately influence future product offering, in turn resulting in widespread distribution of this virtually non-polluting technology.

Acurex Environmental Corporation encourages the participation of, and uses as subcontractors, small businesses, and minority-, disabled veteran-, and woman-owned business enterprises in its programs to the maximum extent possible to ensure efficient performance and comply with contract requirements and applicable laws. Acurex has a small business liaison person, whose responsibility is to develop and promote the utilization of these businesses to participate in contract performance. Acurex is a member of the Industry Council for Small Business Development in California. The company utilized the Small Business Administration’s Procurement Automated Source System to search for specific requirements.

Resource Impacts

The total cost of this project is $699,892, with AQMD cost-share of $250,000. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 1996-97 Budget. A funding breakdown is as follows:

Cosponsor	Direct Funding	In-Kind Resources
SCAQMD	$250,000	0
Thermo King Corporation	0	$371,200
Southern California Host Site	0	78,692
Total	$250,000	$449,892

/ / /