South Coast Air Quality Management District

Issue RFP for Development and Demonstration of Aftertreatment Technologies for PM Emissions Control of CNG-Fueled Heavy-Duty Engines

SYNOPSIS:

Many demonstration programs are now showing that PM emissions from some diesel engines can be significantly reduced with particulate traps. The proposed RFP solicits cost-shared proposals to develop and demonstrate aftertreatment technologies capable of reducing PM by at least 50%, and also reduce NOx, CO, and hydrocarbon emissions from CNG engines. Cost to the AQMD for the proposed $800,000 project shall not exceed $400,000. Significant cost sharing is expected from the prospective contractor.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, June 22, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Approve issuance of RFP #P2001-41 to solicit cost-shared proposals to develop and demonstrate aftertreatment technologies for PM emissions control of CNG-fueled heavy-duty engines in an amount not to exceed $400,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The AQMD Board has adopted a series of clean fuel fleet vehicle rules and developed short- and long-term emissions reduction measures to reduce public exposure to both criteria and toxic pollutants from diesel-fueled vehicles. These measures include many strategies, one of which is further commercialization of alternative fuel use in heavy-duty trucks and buses in the Basin. As part of an effort to compare toxic exhaust emissions from diesel and alternative fuel buses, the Board approved a project to study the emissions of compressed natural gas- (CNG) and diesel-fueled transit buses at its January 19, 2001 meeting. Realizing that the diesel bus would be equipped with a particulate trap, the Board expressed an interest in also having the CNG bus equipped with an aftertreatment technology for PM emissions. On February 16, 2001, the Board issued four recommended actions, including authorizing the Executive Officer to execute a contract with a vendor to retrofit a CNG transit bus with a particulate trap for the study approved on January 19, 2001.

The AQMD staff had several discussions with engine and trap manufacturers on the issue of retrofitting CNG engines with particulate trap systems. Based on these discussions, manufacturers requested funding for development and laboratory testing before a trap could be appropriately installed on a CNG transit bus for in-use testing and demonstration.

Introduction

In recent years, both public agencies and private industry have continued to direct considerable efforts and resources to developing strategies that allow an effective use of natural gas as a cleaner-burning alternative to conventional fuel in automotive service. These efforts have resulted in many options available for improving natural gas engine technology and efficiency, and developing exhaust aftertreatment devices to achieve higher reduction of criteria and toxic pollutant emissions. However, little effort has been devoted to specifically address PM emissions produced from the (1) combustion of lubricating oil from the cylinder walls of spark-ignition CNG engines, and (2) injection of diesel fuel to create a rich condition in diesel/CNG dual-fuel engines. Nevertheless, heavy-duty CNG engines show lower NOx and PM emissions than traditional diesel-fueled engines. With tighter regulations, today’s heavy-duty diesel engines are much cleaner than when they were first regulated in 1960. Specifically, with the advent of gas-to-liquid and low-sulfur diesel fuels, many demonstration programs are now showing that PM emissions from diesel engines can be significantly reduced with particulate traps. This development has attracted attention to examine control technologies for further reducing PM emissions from CNG engines.

Proposal

The objective of the proposed RFP is to solicit cost-shared proposals to develop and demonstrate aftertreatment technologies capable of reducing engine-out PM by at least 50 percent, and also reduce NOx, CO, and hydrocarbon emissions from CNG transit buses. The project is expected to be for a 12-month duration.

The proposed project involves design, fabrication, and installation of an aftertreatment technology capable of reducing PM emissions from heavy-duty CNG-fueled engines. Proponents will be required to perform steady-state dynamometer testing of the engine to assess emission reducing potential and durability of the technology, and assess the effect of the technology on engine operational performance, and structural and mechanical durability. In addition, the retrofitted engine will be integrated into a CNG vehicle for chassis dynamometer, road durability, and in-use test for emissions of toxic pollutants, total hydrocarbons, NOx, CO, PM, and CO2.

Outreach

In accordance with the AQMD’s consulting and contracting policies, a public notice advertising the RFP and inviting bids will be placed in the following publications:
 

1.	Antelope Valley Press	10.	La Opinion	19.	Precinct Reporter
2.	Black Voice News	11.	La Voz	20.	Rafu Shimpo
3.	Chinese Daily News	12.	Los Angeles Daily News	21.	Riverside Press Enterprise
4.	Eastern Group Publications	13.	Los Angeles Sentinel	22.	San Bernardino Sun
5.	El Chicano	14.	Los Angeles Times	23.	Santa Clarita Signal
6.	Excelsior, The	15.	M/W/DVBE Source	24.	State of California Contracts
7.	Inland Empire Hispanic News	16.	Orange County Register		Register
8.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	17.	Palm Springs Desert Sun
9.	Korea Central Daily	18.	Philippine News

Additionally, potential bidders will be notified utilizing the Los Angeles County MTA and Cal Trans Directories of Certified Minority, Women, Disadvantaged and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises; the Inland Area Opportunity Pages Ethnic/Women Business & Professional Directory; AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors; and AQMD Purchasing’s mailing list. Notice of the RFP will be mailed to the Black and Latino Legislative Caucuses and various minority chambers of commerce and business associations; and placed on the Internet at AQMD’s Web site [http://www.aqmd.gov, "Business and Job Opportunities" icon] and AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the March 2001 Update of the Technology Advancement Plan under 2001CFM2-2, "Development and Demonstration of Low Emission, Alternative Fuel Engine Technologies for On-Road Applications." The proposed project supports the implementation of advanced alternative fuel technology that could potentially be used to reduce PM, as well as, NOx, CO, and hydrocarbon emissions from CNG-fueled heavy-duty engines. In addition, the outcome of this project will provide a better means of characterizing emissions of toxic pollutants from CNG-fueled heavy-duty vehicles with aftertreatment technology for PM emissions.

Resource Impacts

The total cost for this project is estimated to be $800,000, of which AQMD cost shall not exceed $400,000. The trap manufacturers and others will provide the remaining $400,000 as cash and in-kind contributions. Significant cost sharing is expected and will be required in the RFP.

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Program 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.

Attachment

RFP #P2001-41- Development and Demonstration of Aftertreatment Technologies for PM Emissions Control of CNG-Fueled Heavy-Duty Engines

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