BOARD MEETING DATE: August 1, 2003
AGENDA NO. 6

Execute Contract to Cosponsor Optimization and Demonstration of Oxidation Catalysts to Further Reduce Exhaust Emissions from CNG-Fueled Heavy-Duty Engines

SYNOPSIS:

Recent studies have shown that oxidation catalysts (OXCAT) could further reduce non-methane hydrocarbon emissions (including toxic hydrocarbon emissions such as formaldehyde) from CNG heavy-duty engines by at least 85 percent. The OXCAT technology can also reduce CO and PM emissions from heavy-duty CNG engines. The emission-reduction potential of OXCAT, however, has not been fully realized because the majority of current CNG-fueled vehicles (in particular, transit buses) in the Basin either are not equipped with OXCATs or the OXCAT technology has not been fully optimized to reduce exhaust emissions. The proposed project is to optimize and demonstrate the OXCAT technology to further reduce exhaust emissions in existing CNG-fueled engines used in transit bus applications. The total project cost is $400,000, with the AQMD share not to exceed $365,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, July 25, 2003, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Lubrizol Engine Control Systems to co-sponsor optimization and demonstration of oxidation catalysts to further reduce exhaust emissions from CNG-fueled heavy-duty engines in an amount not to exceed $364,125 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

The efforts of public agencies and private industry have resulted in an increased number of vehicles now powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) engines. The majority of these engines, however, are not equipped with aftertreatment technology such as oxidation catalysts, which are capable of further reducing criteria and toxics emissions. Since CNG engines are inherently cleaner than their conventional fueled counterparts, recent studies of exhaust emissions from CNG fueled transit buses have shown that oxidation catalysts can reduce non-methane hydrocarbon emissions (including toxic hydrocarbons such as formaldehyde and benzene) by at least 85 percent and also reduce carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. Based on these studies and the proven effectiveness and availability of catalytic technologies, oxidation catalysts offer a unique opportunity for even greater emissions reductions from CNG buses.

The AQMD staff has been discussing with two local transportation authorities and Lubrizol Engine Control Systems (ECS) a project to optimize and demonstrate catalysts for further emissions reductions from heavy-duty CNG engines.

Proposal

ECS proposes to test a Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) Series 50 CNG urban bus engine over steady-state test procedures on an engine dynamometer while the engine is independently equipped with three oxidation catalysts. One of the catalysts will be formulated to the catalyst presently employed on a limited number of OEM CNG engines, and the other two commercially available formulations will be optimized for maximum reduction of benzene, formaldehyde, PM, and non-methane hydrocarbon emissions. A catalyst protection system will be used to protect catalysts from potential rich fuel excursions. The results of this test and in-field data logging of exhaust temperatures and pressures from test buses will be used to select and optimize at least two oxidation catalysts suitable for CNG urban bus applications. The oxidation catalysts will then be packaged and installed at the exhaust of the transit buses, which would be tested over transient and steady-state cycles on a chassis dynamometer. The buses will then be demonstrated in service for six months to evaluate performance, reliability, and emissions-reduction potential of the oxidation catalysts. The ECS team consists of Environmental Canada and West Virginia University.

Sole Source Justification

Section VIII(B)(2) of the Procurement Policy and Procedure identifies four major provisions under which a sole-source may be justified. This request for a sole source award is made under provision B.2.c(1): the unique experience and capabilities of the proposed contractor or contractor team.

ECS designs and manufactures a wide range of exhaust aftertreatment technologies for reducing criteria and air toxics emission from diesel, propane, gasoline, and natural gas engines. In addition, ECS has considerable experience with oxidation catalysts, and presently designs and supplies oxidation catalysts to Detroit Diesel Corporation (DDC) for natural gas engines. Because ECS designed the oxidation catalyst currently on these engines, ECS has unique capabilities to conduct this demonstration for AQMD.

The proposed optimization and demonstration will improve the emission-reduction potential of oxidation catalysts currently used on DDC Series 50 CNG engines.

Staff recommends that the AQMD enter into an agreement with ECS for an amount not to exceed $364,125.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the March 2003 Update of the Technology Advancement Plan under 2003CFE1-3, "Develop and Demonstrate Advanced Aftertreatment Technologies for Natural Gas." The proposed project supports the reformulation or optimization of advanced aftertreatment technology that could potentially be used to reduce benzene, formaldehyde, CO, PM, and non-methane and total hydrocarbon emissions from CNG-fueled heavy-duty engines.

Resource Impacts

The total cost for this project is estimated to be $400,000, of which AQMD cost shall not exceed $364,125. ECS will provide $35,875 in-kind 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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