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BOARD MEETING DATE: April 9, 1999 AGENDA NO. 6

PROPOSAL:

Award Contracts in Response to Learning Institute Program Opportunity Notice

SYNOPSIS

Historically, Technology Advancement funding has been made available to educational institutions (community colleges, colleges, and universities) for projects to develop and demonstrate clean alternative fuel applications for on- and off-road vehicles. In response to a Program Opportunity Notice 9899-A issued in October 1998, six proposals were selected for funding. The AQMD cost to fund the six selected research projects shall not exceed $757,800.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 26, 1999, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with University of Southern California to demonstrate reduced vehicular emissions through throttleless engines using alternative fuels, for an amount not to exceed $85,300.

2. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with University of California, Riverside College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology to develop an on-road system for emissions measurement from heavy-duty trucks, for an amount not to exceed $150,000.

3. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with University of California, Riverside College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology to evaluate the effects of biodiesel and other clean fuel blends on exhaust emission rates and reactivity – Phase 2, for an amount not to exceed $210,000.

4. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with University of California, Riverside College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology to investigate emission rates of ammonia and other toxic and low-level compounds using FTIR, for an amount not to exceed $100,000.

5. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with University of California, Riverside College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology to evaluate the effects of biodiesel fuel on smoke emissions from heavy-duty off-road vehicles, for an amount not to exceed $25,000.

6. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with California State Polytechnic University – Pomona to develop an improved and lower cost electrode for direct-methanol fuel cell using magnetron sputtering techniques, for an amount not to exceed $187,500.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The Technology Advancement office of the South Coast Air Quality Management District was established in 1988 to support and promote projects to increase the utilization of clean-burning alternative fuels and related technologies such as methanol, fuel cells, liquid petroleum gas, natural gas, combination fuels, synthetic fuels, electricity (including electric vehicles), hydrogen, and other clean-burning fuels yet to be developed. Historically, funding has been made available to educational institutions (high schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities) for projects to develop and demonstrate clean alternative fuel applications for on- and off-road vehicles. This year, a total of $1,000,000 has been allocated for school clean fuels research projects, focusing on clean alternative fuels for on- and off-road motor vehicles.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, the School Clean Fuels Projects Program Opportunity Notice (PON) 9899-A, was released in October 1998 to 222 California state community colleges, colleges, and universities. Over 270 private colleges and universities were provided the same PON. In addition, the five largest school districts by enrollment in each of the four counties within AQMD jurisdiction were mailed the PON. The PON was also posted on the AQMD website.

Evaluation Panel

A four-member PON evaluation panel was comprised of two AQMD, one ARB and one Orange County Transit Agency staff. The ethnic and gender composition of the panel is one female and three males; one Asian/Pacific Islander and three Caucasian.

Bid Evaluation

Six pre-proposals were received by the January 6, 1999 closing date. All pre-proposals received were reviewed and evaluated according to established AQMD guidelines. Those pre-proposals considered technically qualified are eligible for contract award, pending receipt of a full proposal. Of the six pre-proposals received, four are from the University of California, Riverside College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT), one from University of Southern California (USC) and one from California State Polytechnic University – Pomona (Cal Poly - Pomona). All six pre-proposals were evaluated on their technical merits and costs in order to select the most cost-effective, technically sound work. All six pre-proposals demonstrated significant technical merit to warrant funding.

USC Proposal

1) Demonstrate Reduced Vehicular Emissions Through Throttleless Engines Using Alternative Fuels

USC has developed an engine control concept, called the Throttleless Premixed Charge Engine (TPCE), which provides the necessary range of power and torque adjustment without throttling. The concept employs fuel control, ignition timing and intake air temperature control to control engine speed and torque. Conventional premixed-charge spark-ignition engines employ a throttle to reduce power and torque when demand is low, causing a reduction in power of 15% or more. Since the TPCE concept requires the use of lean mixtures and preheating of the intake air, TPCE engines are ideal for use with natural gas fuel, and possibly other alternative fuels such as methanol, ethanol and hydrogen.

Studies will be conducted to evaluate the performance of all these alternative fuels and fuel blends and the results compared to the performance of natural gas fuel. All of the development work will be performed using an existing state-of-the-art engine test facility at USC. This facility includes computerized control of engine speed, load (up to 200 hp), fuel/air ratio, spark timing, inlet temperature, and inlet pressure. All engine operating parameters will be recorded using computerized data acquisition, e.g. intake, exhaust and coolant temperatures, fuel and air consumption, thermal and volumetric efficiency, power, intake, exhaust and cylinder pressures, etc. A Horiba emissions bench will monitor all major combustion products and pollutants.

The total amount of AQMD funding for this project will not exceed $85,300. The National Center for Metropolitan Research (METRANS) and USC will participate as cosponsors. Estimated cost-sharing from other cosponsors are as follows:

CE-CERT Proposals

1) On-Road System for Emissions Measurement from Heavy-duty Trucks

In cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and seven major diesel engine manufacturers (OEMs), CE-CERT will develop an on-road, trailer-enclosed emission-measurement system to characterize actual heavy-duty truck emissions. The analytical trains proposed will use constant volume sampling and measure total hydrocarbons, non-methane hydrocarbons, CO, NOx and CO₂. Preliminary testing will include heavy-duty trucks using diesel, bio-diesel, natural gas, and Fischer-Tropsch diesel. These measurements will be compared with measurements made using the EPA Rover system. Addition of a system to measure particulate will be planned.

This project is part of consent decrees between the federal government, CARB, and the OEM engine manufacturers and coincides with the implementation of the OEMs heavy-duty in-use emissions measurement program to begin in late 1999.

The total amount of AQMD funding for this project will not exceed $150,000. Estimated cost-sharing from other cosponsors are as follows:

2) Evaluation of the Effects of Biodiesel and Other Clean Fuel Blends on Exhaust Emission Rates and Reactivity – Phase 2

CE-CERT is currently under contract with the AQMD to investigate the effects of alternative diesel fuel formulations on exhaust emission rates and reactivity. In Phase I chassis dynamometer testing, four trucks were tested with four fuels including California reformulated diesel, biodiesel, biodiesel/diesel 20/80 blend and Fischer-Tropsch fuel. Emission measurements collected indicate the need for an expanded database to assess biodiesel and other clean fuel blends over a range of vehicle technologies.

This project will expand the number of vehicles being tested to 10 trucks, providing a larger and more robust database for the evaluation of the potential benefits of biodiesel fuels. Given the potential of increased biodiesel use in the near future, it will be important to provide accurate estimates of any emissions impacts provided by the fuel. Fuels to be tested are California reformulated diesel and two biodiesel blends. Testing will include speciation for NOx, PM, NMOG, chemical composition and PAHs.

The total amount of AQMD funding for this project will not exceed $210,000. Estimated cost-sharing from other cosponsors are as follows:

3) Investigate Emission Rates of Ammonia and Other Toxic and Low-level Compounds Using FTIR

CE-CERT is currently being funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to collect FTIR emission data on 40 vehicles. The main focus of this study

is to quantify emission levels of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas that can be formed by the catalytic converter. FTIR measurements will be collected for nearly thirty compounds including ammonia, formaldehyde and methanol as well as toxic compounds such as benzene and 1, 3 butadiene. Although this project provides funding for data collection and presentation of results, it does not include detailed real-time analysis.

The proposed program will augment the current EPA program to include alternative fueled vehicles (AFVs). Ten AFVs will be added to the FTIR test matrix and additional testing will provide a full characterization of the exhaust and offer a direct comparison to the original FTIR results. This is a reasonable augmentation of the existing EPA project as a significant cost benefit will be obtained through co-funding. While the project itself will not directly reduce vehicle emissions, it will enhance the available

database on low-level contaminants found in vehicle exhaust. Recent results indicate that significant levels of ammonia may be formed in the exhaust.

The total amount of AQMD funding for this project will not exceed $100,000. Estimated cost-sharing from other cosponsors are as follows:

4. Evaluate the Effects of Biodiesel Fuel on Emissions from Heavy-Duty Off-Road Vehicles

Off-road vehicles are major sources of NOx emissions in this Basin. CE-CERT has conducted preliminary analytical work on using biodiesel blends in construction equipment and the results are promising in reducing smoke and elemental carbon emissions. In this project CE-CERT will evaluate the effects of biodiesel fuel blends on controlling smoke emissions from heavy-duty off-road vehicles, such as construction equipment. In particular, smoke opacity will be measured from one or more pieces of construction equipment at regular intervals operating on different blends of biodiesel for approximately a month and a half. This program will be conducted in cooperation with the Yeager Construction Company, which is evaluating the possible use of biodiesel at a landfill construction site being excavated in Fontana, California. The total amount of AQMD funding for this project will not exceed $25,000.

Cal Poly – Pomona Proposal

1) Develop an Improved and Lower Cost Electrode for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Using Magnetron Sputtering Techniques

The proposed research is to develop improved and lower cost electrodes for direct methanol fuel cells. The feasibility of a direct methanol fuel cell utilizing a polymer

electrolyte membrane has been demonstrated at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

However, the electrode and electro-catalyst / membrane were fabricated with labor intensive techniques not suitable for manufacturing. The proposed work will be done in cooperation and conjunction with JPL’s ongoing development of the direct methanol fuel cell. New manufacturing techniques will be employed using magnetron sputtering to apply catalytic materials to carbon paper and membranes. This technique will allow the catalytic material to be applied uniformly, reduce the need for expensive catalyst and develop electrodes suitable for manufacturing.

The total amount of AQMD funding for this project will not exceed $187,000. Estimated cost-sharing from other cosponsors are as follows:

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed projects are included in the December 1998 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Projects 98M1-2 "Demonstration of Alternative Fueled, Heavy-Duty Trucks for Over-the-Road Applications," 98M1-3 "Development and Demonstration of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Engine Technologies for On-Road Applications," 98M1-5 "Demonstration of Advanced Sensors for AFVs," 98M3-1 "Development of Fuel Cell Balance-of-Plant Technologies Related to Fuels, Fuel Storage and Handling, and Fuel Processing," 98M5-3 "Development and Demonstration of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Technologies for Off-Road Applications," and 98T1-1 "Evaluation of Advanced Remote Sensing Technologies." The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. Although the PON program will have no direct emissions reductions, it is an important element in expanding the use of low-emission, clean fuel technologies in the Basin. Previous outreach efforts have illustrated the need and desire for schools to participate in contracting efforts. Schools submitting proposals allow the AQMD to be exposed to new, emerging technologies on which there is limited public information. It helps identify new sources of prospective bidders with promising technical academic programs. The PON also stimulates interest in AQMD clean air programs and assists the AQMD public outreach efforts.

Sole Source Justification

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 sole source awards is made under provision B.2.d.(8): Research and development effort with educational institutions or nonprofit organizations. The six contracts recommended for award are clean fuels research and development efforts submitted by three local universities of international reputation, including the University of Southern California, University of California, Riverside College of Environmental Research and Technology, and California State Polytechnic University - Pomona.

The recommended contracts for research projects are the result of responses submitted by these institutions to PON #9899-A. This PON was directed to California educational institutions, including high schools, community colleges, colleges, and universities, soliciting research projects to develop and demonstrate clean alternative fuel applications for on- and off-road vehicles. Under this PON, a total of $1,200,000, identified as a line item in the approved FY 1998-99 Budget, was allocated for clean fuel projects as follows: (1) $1,000,000 for Research Projects and (2) $200,000 for Clean Fuels Outreach Projects. The Clean Fuels Outreach Project awards are the subject of a separate recommendation.

Resource Impacts

These projects are to be funded from the FY 1998-99 Budget. The total amount of AQMD funding for these contracts will not exceed $757,800 out of a total project worth of $2,012,800. Sufficient funds are available 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 Sections 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code Section 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.

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