South Coast Air Quality Management District

Technology Committee

SYNOPSIS: 

The Technology Committee met on September 28, 2001. Major items included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the October and November Board meetings. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on October 26, 2001 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Hal Bernson, Chair
Technology Committee

Attendance: Committee Vice-Chair Leonard Paulitz and Committee member Norma Glover were in attendance at AQMD headquarters. Committee Chair Hal Bernson and Committee member William Burke participated by video-teleconference.

Committee Chair Hal Bernson asked the Committee to consider a consent calendar format for this meeting, with the exception of agenda item #3. Hearing no requests for presentations on other items, Chairman Bernson declared items 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 approved by consent.

October Board Agenda Items

1. Approve Contract to Evaluate Any Variations Between Utility Gas Feed Meter and Compressed Gas Dispenser Meter Readings and Approve Grant for CNG Fueling Infrastructure at a Public School District - There are several variables in CNG fueling that cause variations between utility and the compressed gas dispenser meters. Energy International, Inc. has proposed to evaluate the parameters causing these variances to find potential solutions. Total cost of this project is approximately $220,000. Staff recommends co-funding this project in an amount not to exceed $20,000, with balance cost shared by the Gas Research Institute. In addition, staff recommends allocating $11,877 from the Lower-Emission School Bus Program Fund to Torrance Unified School District for CNG infrastructure. Approved by consent.
   
   
2. Issue RFP for Development and Demonstration of Fischer-Tropsch Fueled Heavy-Duty Vehicles with Control Technologies for Reduced Diesel Exhaust Emissions - On-road heavy-duty diesel vehicles are subject to emission standards of 0.01 g/bhp-hr PM, effective 2007 and 0.20 g/bhp-hr NOx to be phased in between 2007 and 2010. To meet these targets, an effective diesel emission control strategy must employ advanced fuels, engine design features, improved exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems, and aftertreatment devices that are optimized using a system approach. The proposed RFP solicits cost-shared proposals to develop and test prototype heavy-duty vehicles fueled by Fischer-Tropsch fuel to evaluate the performance and emission-reduction potential of these advanced emission control systems. Cost to the AQMD for the proposed $1.2 million project shall not exceed $350,000. CEC contributes $400,000, while DOE will provide $300,000 and $150,000 in direct cash and in-kind contributions, respectively. Approved by consent.
   
   
3. Status Report on Compatibility of Natural Gas Compressors for Hydrogen Fueling
   Larry Watkins, Program Supervisor in Science & Technology Advancement presented a review of bids received for the compatibility of natural gas compressors for hydrogen fueling. He outlined specifications for the Request for Bid, a manufacturer data summary sheet, and the bids received.
   
   Dr. Barry Wallerstein, Executive Officer, noted staff will prepare a written report for the October 19^th Board Meeting, and will provide this report to Committee members at least one week prior to the October meeting.
   
   The Committee communicated its concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration.
   
   
4. Execute Contract to Develop and Demonstrate Hydrogen Refueling Station in Coachella Valley - On October 20, 2000 the Board approved the release of an RFP to solicit cost-shared proposals to design, develop, integrate and install hydrogen stations for refueling fuel cell vehicles. Three proposals were received in response. An outside review panel unanimously selected two out of the three proposals. Staff recommends executing a contract with ISE Research to install a water electrolyzer hydrogen refueling station powered by wind near the Sunline Transit facilities in Coachella Valley in an amount not to exceed $389,822. Approved by consent.
   
   
5. Execute Contract to Provide Supplemental Funding for Construction of Liquefied Natural Gas Fueling Station - The proposed project would provide an LNG fueling station adjacent to Agua Mansa Road municipal solid waste transfer station for the LNG waste collection vehicles operated by Burrtec Corp., under contract to Riverside County. It would also provide public LNG fueling for nearby industrial activities. This project is being funded, in part, through a grant from the AES Settlement Fund for Infrastructure. The AES Infrastructure Funding Program allows funding of up to 30% of the infrastructure portion of qualifying projects. At the time of their application, Riverside County anticipated lower project costs than were eventually reflected by the bids received. This request is to supplement the earlier $167,000 AES grant with funds from the Clean Fuels Fund in the amount of $148,350. Approved by consent.
   
   
6. Approve Resolutions to California Energy Commission-Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Program to Receive Funds to Purchase Equipment for Three Natural Gas Fueling Stations - The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Program grant funding for three proposed fueling stations: AQMD Diamond Bar CNG station; Omnitrans Montclair L/CNG station; and the Omnitrans San Bernardino L/CNG station. The CEC requires the Board to endorse a resolution authorizing the Executive Officer to receive and administer CEC funding for each of the three projects. These projects will replace aging, obsolete fueling equipment that is currently not cost-effective to maintain and operate with state-of-the-art equipment. This funding will be used to purchase the fueling and storage equipment and will cover up to 30% of the overall project costs: $170,000, $250,000 and $250,000, respectively. The Technology Committee reviewed this item on September 28, 2001, and recommended approval. Approved by consent.
   
   
7. Amend Contract to Cosponsor Development of Ultra-Low Emission Natural Gas Vehicle for Use in Shuttle and Package Delivery Applications - In July 2000, the Board approved execution of a contract with Baytech Corporation to develop and certify a General Motors 4.3-liter natural gas engine to ULEV standards. This engine was to be demonstrated in Chevrolet Astro Vans operated by American Livery for passenger shuttle and small package delivery in and around the airports in the South Coast Air Basin. Subsequent to contract execution, American Livery was unable to participate in the project. Baytech has secured Coachella Valley Water Districts to demonstrate this low-emission engine in Chevy S-10 pick-ups as high-mileage service trucks. Total project cost remains at $398,518; total AQMD funding will not exceed $186,211 as previously authorized by the Board. Approved by consent.
   
   
8. Execute Contract to Develop and Demonstrate Advanced Storage Tanks for Storing CNG/LNG and Compressed and Liquid Hydrogen - Gaseous fuel vehicles powered by natural gas or hydrogen vehicles, though environmentally superior to conventional fuels, have range limitations. Structural Composites Industries, a leading U.S. manufacturer of gaseous fuel tanks, in conjunction with Lawrence Livermore Laboratories and Sunline Transit, have proposed developing and demonstrating advanced storage tanks to address range issues. Type III tanks, used to store compressed natural gas or hydrogen, will be insulated to store cryogenic liquids. This would substantially increase vehicle range, without incurring significant evaporation. Staff recommends co-funding two projects, one for compressed/liquid natural gas and one for compressed/liquid hydrogen, in an amount not to exceed $500,000. Total project cost is $1.3 million, with DOE and the project proponents providing the remaining cost-share. Approved by consent.

November Board Agenda Item

9. Execute Contract to Demonstrate Integrated Technology for Control of Odors and VOCs from Metal Casting Operations - Two Advanced Oxidization (AO) technologies have been demonstrated to successfully reduce VOC emissions and raw material costs from sand handling operations, and abate odors from core room emissions in iron casting foundries. Gregg Industries, Inc. is proposing a project to integrate the two AO applications at their existing iron foundry to determine the economic feasibility and the effectiveness of the integrated system in reducing odors and VOCs. If successful, the integrated system could be commercialized and used by iron foundries and other industries with similar operations to control VOCs and odors, a common nuisance. AQMD funding for this project shall not exceed $150,000. Gregg Industries, Inc. and CARB will contribute $300,000 and $150,000 respectively. Approved by consent.
   
   
10. Other Business - There was no other business.
    
    
11. Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.

The meeting was adjourned.

Attachment A - Attendance

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