BOARD MEETING DATE: May 3, 2002
AGENDA NO. 6

Execute Contract to Cosponsor Development and Demonstration of Aftertreatment Technologies for PM Emissions Control of CNG-Fueled Heavy-Duty Engines

SYNOPSIS:

In December 2001, the Board authorized the release of an RFP to chemically characterize exhaust emissions from CNG engines, and based on this characterization, develop and demonstrate aftertreatment technologies capable of further reducing PM, NOx, CO, and hydrocarbon emissions from CNG engines. Two proposals were received from West Virginia University (WVU) and Cummins Westport. Staff recommends that one contract be awarded to WVU at this time. Cost to the AQMD for this proposed $550,000 project shall not exceed $450,000. West Virginia University and its partners will provide $100,000 in direct cash contribution. Staff is working with the proposed team of the second proposal and may recommend Board consideration of funding for that proposal, as well, in the future.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 22, 2002, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with West Virginia University to chemically characterize exhaust emissions from CNG engines, and develop and demonstrate aftertreatment technologies for PM emissions control of CNG-fueled heavy-duty engines in an amount not to exceed $450,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).

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 July 20, 2001, the AQMD issued a request for proposal (RFP #P2001-41) to develop and demonstrate aftertreament technologies for PM emissions of CNG-fueled heavy-duty engines. Three letters were submitted in-lieu of proposals suggesting that a chemical composition of PM emissions from CNG-engines would have to be analyzed before any aftertreament technology for PM emissions can be developed, laboratory tested, and installed on a CNG transit bus for in-use testing and demonstration program.

On December 21, 2001, the Board approved the release of RFP #P2002-21 to solicit cost-shared proposals to chemically characterize exhaust emissions from CNG engines, and develop and demonstrate aftertreatment technologies for PM emissions control of CNG-fueled heavy-duty engines. The RFP solicited proposals from teams consisting of an aftertreatment device manufacturer, a fuel supplier, and technical experts in the field of alternative fuel technologies and heavy-duty natural gas vehicles and engines. The prospective prime contractor would be responsible for coordinating all aspect of the project including, obtaining regulatory permits, acquiring an operational test transit bus, scheduling and coordinating engine and vehicle testing, procuring CNG, control device(s), and hardware, conducting analysis, and preparing reports.

Proposal

Proposals were received from Cummins Westport and West Virginia University (WVU). WVU proposes to test an Orion bus with a Cummins C8.3G plus engine equipped with an oxidation catalyst over transient cycles on a chassis dynamometer. The result of this test and in-field data logging of exhaust temperatures and pressures from the test bus will be utilized to design and develop a catalyzed particulate trap system. The bus will then be demonstrated in service for six months to evaluate performance, reliability and emission-reducing potential of the particulate trap system. Additionally, bioassays will be conducted on all samples collected during the tests. The WVU team consists of CNG provider (Southern California Gas Company), an aftertreatment supplier and manufacturer (Engine Control Systems), an original equipment manufacturer (Cummins Westport), Booz-Allen & Hamilton, and Sunline Transit.

Cummins Westport proposes to demonstrate the potential of an oxidation catalyst to reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM), ultrafine nanoparticles, benzene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from a Cummins C8.3G plus engine. The engine will be tested on an engine dynamometer over a selected transient test procedure and representative steady state. Although Cummins Westport proposal deviated in certain areas of the RFP, it meets the broad objective of the RFP’s work statement. The Cummis Westport team consists of CNG provider (Southern California Gas Company), University of Minosota, Ricardo Inc., and Omnitrans.

Outreach

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

Additionally, potential bidders were 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 was 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.

Bid Evaluation

Two proposals were reviewed and evaluated in accordance with established AQMD guidelines, using technical and cost criteria outlined in the RFP. The proposals receiving a score of at least 56 out of 70 points were considered technically qualified and eligible for the contract award. Score for cost were then added with the proposal offering the highest co-funding ratio receiving the maximum of 30 points and others prorated accordingly. The five-member RFP evaluation panel consisted of AQMD staff (four males and one female of which there was one African American, two Asians, and one Caucasian). Upon evaluation, WVU and Cummins Westport proposals received 92 and 88 points, respectively. As such, the proposal from WVU was recommended for award. Because the Cummins Westport proposal has significant technical merits, staff will contact the bidder for more detail and favorable cost-share arrangement so that an additional recommendation can be made to the Board in the near future. The WVU and Cummins Westport technical and cost scores are shown below.
 

Qualification

WVU is the prime contractor for this development and demonstration program, and has managed several projects involving testing and development of engines and vehicles with an emphasis on emissions, alternative fuels, and related technologies. In addition, WVU is an educational institution, one of few that has a capability to test heavy-duty vehicles on a transportable chassis dynamometer. The lead person is experienced in managing similar programs, and has supported AQMD, CARB, U.S. EPA, and others on a variety of projects related to technology analysis, engine and vehicle testing, engine and combustion data acquisition and analysis, and alternative fuels technologies. The Engine Control System (ECS) is a leading developer and manufacturer of exhaust aftertreatment systems focused on developing emissions reduction technology for natural gas engines. Cummins Westport Inc., a division of original engine manufacturer, has managed and conducted many development and demonstration programs involving natural gas engines. Sunline Transit will be the host site operator for the project. Sunline operates a fleet of 55 natural gas buses and has state-of-the-art maintenance facilities that have been modified to accommodate natural gas buses. Booz Allen & Hamilton has supported AQMD and CARB on a variety of projects related to technology analysis, economic assessment, enmission inventory measurements and engine testing. Southern California Gas Company is an expert in the area of monitoring gas quality. AQMD staff believes that WVU and its partners meet the requirement described in the RFP, and are qualified to coordinating all aspect of the project.

Staff recommends that the AQMD enter into an agreement with West Virginia University for an amount not to exceed $450,000.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the March 2002 Update of the Technology Advancement Plan under 2001CFM2-2, "Development and Demonstration of Alternative Fuel Heavy-Duty Vehicles." The proposed project supports the implementation of advanced alternative fuel technology that could potentially be used to further 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 $550,000, of which AQMD cost shall not exceed $450,000. West Virginia University and its partners will provide $100,000 in direct cash contribution.

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.

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