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PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract to Cosponsor Evaluation of Emissions Durability of Off-Road LPG Engines Equipped with Three-Way Catalysts

SYNOPSIS:

Large spark-ignited off-road engines powered by LPG and gasoline are important contributors to NOx and VOC emissions in the Basin. Based on the results of a recently completed project conducted by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and jointly sponsored by the AQMD and the ARB, these emissions can be reduced significantly with the application of three-way catalysts. This action proposes a follow-up project to be conducted by SwRI to assess the durability of emission control systems on large spark-ignited off-road engines operating on LPG. This $250,000 project shall be cost shared by the AQMD in an amount not to exceed $100,000 and the ARB contributing the balance of $150,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, December 17, 1999, fewer than three members were present and therefore, pursuant to the Procedures for Standing Committees of the Governing Board, the Committee forwards this letter without recommendation.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Southwest Research Institute to cost-share the evaluation of the emissions durability of off-road LPG engines equipped with three-way catalysts, in an amount not to exceed $100,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Off-road equipment powered by gasoline and LPG engines of over 19kW are important contributors to NOx and VOC emissions in the South Coast Air Basin. As a result of jointly cosponsored projects by the ARB and AQMD for evaluation of exhaust and evaporative emissions from off-road equipment, the ARB has recently adopted emission standards for large spark-ignited engines. The U.S. EPA is also expected to adopt similar standards in the near future. However, at this time there is limited information on the
durability of emission control systems in industrial applications, and on the ability of manufacturers to control emissions in operating modes not represented by the test cycle. Experience with both automotive and heavy-duty engine testing suggest that off-cycle emissions can be very high. Given the greater variation in off-road equipment duty cycles, similar large variations in emission performance can be anticipated. In addition, LPG composition can vary widely. Previous experience with other fuels suggest that fuel composition can impact engine performance and emissions. Quantification of these impacts on catalyst-equipped engines is lacking.

Proposal

The objectives of this project are to develop additional data regarding the emissions and operation of large spark-ignited engines running on LPG, and to assess the durability of emission control systems in industrial applications. EPA will locate representative equipment for testing. Two LPG-fueled forklift trucks fitted with closed-loop fuel control systems and three-way catalysts, with a total of 4,000 – 6,000 hours of operation will be identified and shipped to SwRI for emission testing. The engines will be installed in a transient capable cell, and emissions maps will be generated by conducting measurements over a wide range of steady-state operating modes. Transient emissions will also be quantified using the heavy-duty FTP test cycle, and a test cycle developed by SwRI for diesel engines. The deterioration factor of the emission control system will be assessed by replacing the catalytic converters with new identical units, and emission measurements will be repeated. To assess the impact of variations in fuel composition, emission measurements will be repeated on one engine using LPG with a different composition.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the November 1998 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 98T1-3, "Emissions Evaluation of Locomotives, Marine Vessels, and Other Off-Road Equipment." The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality standards.

The outcome of this project will enable better understanding of long-term performance behavior of three-way catalysts on emissions of large spark-ignited off-road engines. The test results will show whether hydrocarbons plus NOx emissions can be reduced from about 12 g/bhp-hr to below 3 g/bhp-hr after 4000 – 6000 hrs of operation, as was the case in a previous project with new catalysts. This will in turn help the ARB and the EPA implement new emissions standards that can have direct impact on the emissions inventory of the South Coast Air Basin.

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 a sole source award is made under provision B.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD. Specifically, these circumstances are: B.2.d.(1) Project involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.

For the past 35 years, SwRI has been involved in the research, development, and testing of mobile source emissions. This experience includes after-treatment and engine control studies on light-duty and heavy-duty engines. In addition, SwRI has developed analytical procedures for unregulated emissions for U.S. EPA, ARB, and industry. SwRI has qualifications, staff, and facilities necessary for this project, and is familiar with all the present and proposed off-road equipment emission rules and regulations. The proposed project team has significant experience with mobile source literature searches, test procedures, test cycle development, exhaust and evaporative emission measurements, and evaluation of emission control technologies.

During the last three years, SwRI was awarded contracts through competitive solicitations by the ARB and the AQMD to measure evaporative emissions and to evaluate the applicability of three-way catalysts on reduction of exhaust emissions from off-road equipment. This project will follow and complement work on those successfully completed projects.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of AQMD funding for this $250,000 project shall not exceed $100,000. The remaining balance of $150,000 will be provided cosponsored by ARB co-sponsorship.

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting 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 sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, 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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