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Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Establishment of Design Practices for Compressed Natural Gas Trucks and Requirements of the Use of Methane Detection on Natural Gas Trucks

SYNOPSIS:

SAE 2343 established recommended practices to ensure the safe design and operation of LNG-powered heavy-duty trucks. The proposed project will develop a similar document (SAE J2406) for compressed natural gas heavy-duty trucks. In addition, SAE J2343 will be amended to incorporate California Highway Patrol requirements for the use of methane detection devices in the engine and driver compartments of liquefied natural gas heavy-duty trucks operating in California. Total project cost is approximately $220,000; total AQMD funding will not exceed $63,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 24, 2000. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Chair and Vice Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with USA Pro to develop design practices for CNG heavy-duty trucks and develop protocol for integration of methane detection onto LNG heavy-duty trucks, in an amount not to exceed $63,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The use of natural gas in heavy-duty trucks is a viable option to reducing emissions and protecting the health of the Basin's population. As natural gas engine technologies proceed to commercialization, the AQMD has worked with other agencies and industry groups to ensure the safe and efficient operation of natural gas trucks and their associated infrastructure.

In 1997, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) truck engine and chassis manufacturer's (OEM) committee developed recommended practices to ensure the safe design and operation of LNG-powered heavy-duty trucks. The resulting document, SAE J2343, has been adopted by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) as part of Title 13 of the California Government Code, and by the California Department of Industrial Relations, Pressure Vessel Unit as part of Title 8 of the Government Code. The AQMD previously cosponsored an effort to develop recommended practices for compressed natural (CNG) gas medium and heavy-duty trucks, and school buses. As a follow-on to this work, the engine and truck chassis OEMs have initiated SAE J2406 to set forth criteria for the safe design and operation of CNG heavy-duty trucks. It is expected that CHP and Industrial Relations will also adopt these criteria. In addition to the requirements of J2343, CHP has included in Title 13 a requirement for the installation of methane detection devices in the engine and driver compartment of LNG heavy-duty trucks operating in California. To date, various devices have been used in LNG trucks in California. Not all of these devices meet the CHP requirements for warning devices and other operational issues. In fact, most manufacturers and vehicle owners are not aware of the CHP requirements.

Proposal

The heavy-duty engine and chassis manufacturers, through the American Trucking Association Foundation and their contractor, USA Pro, propose to develop a failure modes effects analysis and accompanying design practices document for CNG heavy-duty trucks. This work will result in the publishing of SAE J2406. In addition, the OEMs propose to develop the information necessary for the design and integration of onboard methane detection for LNG trucks, as an amendment to J2343, to meet CHP requirements. The proposed project will include development of specifications and schematics for the methane detection system, design expectations and maintenance requirements. A specific focus for the system design will be over-the-road and refuse trucks.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the March 2000 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 2000M3-2, "Development of Liquefied Natural Gas Detection Technologies", and Project 2000M2-4, Development of Advanced Technologies for On-Board Gaseous Fuel Storage. This proposed program supports several 1997 AQMP On-Road Mobile Sources Control Measures, including M4, "Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles; Early Introduction of Low-NOx Engines" and M5, "Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles; Additional NOx Reductions in California." Certification of low-emission vehicles and engines, and their integration into the Basin’s transportation sector, is a high priority under the AQMP. The Rule 1190 series is designed to further expedite the use of low emission technologies in refuse trucks and other heavy-duty vehicle applications. Alternative fuel heavy-duty engines have exhibited their ability to produce lower emissions than their conventionally fueled counterparts. Development of vehicle and fuel system criteria is needed to meet vehicle safety requirements and to improve consumer confidence in the use and safety of gaseous fuels. The increased exposure and fleet and consumer acceptance of natural gas fueled vehicles would lead to the direct reductions in NOx, VOC, CO, PM, and toxics from mobile sources.

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.

The proposed project is cosponsored by the major heavy-duty engine and chassis manufacturers, and system component manufacturers. The manufacturers have selected USA Pro to coordinate this effort. Gary Pope, President of USA Pro was the chairman of the development committee for J2343, recommended practices for LNG trucks, and holds a similar responsibility for the development of J2406, recommended practices for CNG heavy-duty trucks. Mr. Pope has well-established relationships with the OEMs and the American Trucking Association. He is also well acquainted with principals with the California Highway Patrol and the Pressure Vessel Unit of the California Department of Industrial Relations, Occupational Safety and Health Division. As stated previously, Mr. Pope has been chosen by his peers to lead the effort to publish J2406.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of AQMD funding for this project shall not exceed $63,000. Industry partners are contributing their in-kind services to provide engineering support for the proposed work. The in-kind contributions listed below are considered minimum contributions to the effort.

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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