BOARD MEETING DATE: December 11, 1998 AGENDA NO. 5

Universities within the South Coast Air Basin offer the AQMD’s Technology Advancement program access to a wealth of technical expertise and resources in the field of low-emission technologies. The contribution made by these academic institutions in development and evaluation of advanced technologies has been an important part of the AQMD’s strategy in achieving the goals outlined in the AQMP.

Since its establishment by the University of California, Riverside in 1991, CE-CERT has provided independent testing for emerging low- and zero-emission technologies, and it has facilitated the transfer of air pollution control technologies from research and development to commercial implementation. Staff proposes to execute contracts with CE-CERT to conduct new projects.

1. Development and evaluation of the Hynol Process for renewable production of vehicle fuel

The Hynol process uses a small amount of natural gas to begin the high pressure and high temperature reactions that lead to a synthesis gas and ultimately to methanol fuel. In cooperation with the US EPA, CE-CERT has constructed the world’s first and only pilot scale facility for further development and testing.

AQMD funds will be used to conduct tests to characterize the process using sawdust as the biomass feedstock. During these tests a number of measurements will be performed to evaluate carbon conversion efficiency, energy and mass balances, and composition of the synthesis gas, the ash, and the exhaust. AQMD’s funding for this project shall not exceed $83,646.

2. Research assistance in expanding Rule 1138, to include underfired charbroiled Cooking operations

In March 1997, the AQMD issued RFP # 9697-37 to develop and demonstrate cost effective control technologies for reducing PM10 and VOC emissions from commercial underfired charbroilers. As a result, CE-CERT was awarded the contract to develop and test three different technologies with the active participation of the original equipment manufacturers. The three newly developed technologies included smokeless broiler redesign, catalytic incineration with dedicated hood, and microwave regenerative ceramic filter. The test results have been encouraging, but further technical analysis is necessary.

Through this project, CE-CERT in consultation with the AQMD staff and the members of the selected Advisory Committee will conduct further tests to refine and optimize the above mentioned and possibly some other newly developed technologies. AQMD’s funding for this project shall not exceed $40,354.

Trucks are a major source of emissions in the South Coast Air Basin. The Trucking Conference will examine technologies and strategies to reduce the environmental impact of trucks in a cost-effective way. Emissions of particulate matter will be a major subject of the conference. The California Trucking Association (CTA) is the principal sponsor of this event, which will take place in Monterey, in March 1999. AQMD’s funding for this conference shall not exceed $8,000, of the approximate $100,000 total cost.

The SAE Future Transportation Technology conference is a well-established forum for examining low emission, high efficiency fuels and propulsion systems. The AQMD’s Technology Advancement office has been an active participant in this conference, and has chaired some of its technical sessions in previous years. AQMD’s funding for this SAE sponsored conference shall not exceed $8,000, of the approximate $100,000 total cost.

CE-CERT will play an active role in planning, developing the technical content, and staging of the above conferences.

The proposed projects are included in the September 1997 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Projects 97S2-2 "Production of Clean Fuels and Clean Energy from Municipal Solid Waste, Landfill Gas, Biomass, and Other Waste Fuels", 97S3-4 "Development and Demonstration of Advanced Controls for Miscellaneous Small Sources", and 97TT-1 "Assessment of Advanced Technologies and Information Dissemination". The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies in Southern California to achieve air quality standards.

The successful development of the Hynol process has the potential for cost effective production of methanol from conversion of biomass. This will in turn help increase the usage of methanol as alternative fuel, which will help decrease emissions from the on-road fleet.

Commercial underfired charbroilers are estimated to emit 9 tons per day of PM10, and 1.4 ton per day of VOC in the South Coast Air Basin. Due to the absence of cost-effective control technologies, they are currently exempt from the requirements of AQMD’s Rule 1138. The successful development of control technologies will help reduce emissions contributions of underfired charbroilers.

Both the CTA and SAE are major organizations capable of providing an appropriate forum for exposure of new technologies and exchange of innovative ideas. Their annual conferences help private and governmental agencies become aware of the latest developments; and promotes cooperation in outlining future strategies for reduction of emissions without harming the economy.

Section VIII, (B)(2) of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole-source award may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provisions B.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interests of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are: B.2.d.(8) research and development efforts with educational institutions or nonprofit organizations.

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: renewable fuels and energy engineering, transportation systems research, environmental modeling, and development of stationary source control strategies. 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 AQMD funding for the specified contracts with CE-CERT.

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.

Total cost to the AQMD for the proposed contracts shall not exceed 140,000. The specific breakdown of proposed AQMD funding by project is as follows:

Project Name	Proposed Funding
1. Development and Evaluation of a High-Efficiency Process to Convert Biomass to Methanol	$83,646
2. Control of Emissions from Commercial Underfired Charbroiled Cooking	$40,354
3. 1999 World Truck Conference	$8,000
4. SAE Future Transportation Technology Conference	$8,000

Sufficient funds are available for Projects # 1, 3, and 4 in the FY 1998-99 Budget, from revenues received from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile and stationary sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels in both sectors, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.

Sufficient funds are available for Project # 2 in the Advanced Technology Fund. This fund was established as trust fund for revenues received as a result of fines, penalties, and settlements from air pollution violations. These settlements were legally binding agreements that linked payment by the violators to use by the AQMD to support the development and demonstration of advanced technologies, and the assessment of resulting emissions benefits.