BOARD MEETING DATE: January 10, 2003
AGENDA NO. 6

Recognize Revenue and Execute Contract to Co-Sponsor Development, Optimization, and Demonstration of Aftertreatment Technologies for PM and Hydrocarbon Emissions Control of CNG-Fueled Heavy-Duty Engines

SYNOPSIS:

Two proposals were received from West Virginia University (WVU) and Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) in response to RFP #P2002-21 issued on December 21, 2001. On May 3, 2002, Board approved staff’s recommendation and awarded a contract to WVU. However, CWI’s proposal had significant technical merits. Based on AQMD staff’s comments, CWI has prepared an enhanced project plan to include particulate filters for CNG engines. This proposal outlines the development, optimization, and demonstration for the emission-reduction potential of catalyzed particulate filters when applied to CNG-fueled heavy-duty engines. Additionally, this proposal investigates the impact of lubricants on emissions from CNG Engines. Cost to the AQMD for the proposed $740,000 project shall not exceed $480,000.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, November 22, 2002. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; the Chairman communicated his concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Authorize the Chairman to execute an agreement with Southern California Gas Company to receive funding in an amount not to exceed $100,000, and recognize this funding, upon receipt, in the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).
   
   
2. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Cummins Westport Inc. upon receipt of $100,000 from Southern California Gas Company to co-sponsor development, optimization, and demonstration of catalyzed particulate filters for PM and hydrocarbon emissions control of CNG-fueled heavy-duty engines in an amount not to exceed $496,785 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).
   
   
3. Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with West Virginia University to provide transportable laboratory testing as part of the development, optimization, and demonstration of aftertreatment technologies for PM and hydrocarbon emissions control of CNG-fueled heavy-duty engines in an amount not to exceed $83,215 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

As part of an effort to compare toxic exhaust emissions from diesel and alternative fuel buses, the Board approved the release of a request for proposal (RFP #P2002-21) at its December 21, 2001 meeting 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 engine original equipment manufacturer (OEM), aftertreatment device manufacturer, a fuel supplier, and technical experts in the field of alternative fuel technologies and heavy-duty natural gas vehicles and engines.

Two proposals were received in response to RFP #P2002-21, one from West Virginia University (WVU), and the other from Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI). Upon evaluation, WVU and CWI proposals received 92 and 88 points, respectively. On May 3, 2002, staff recommended and the Board approved the award of a contract to WVU. Because CWI is a source of commercializing the aftertreatment technology, and its proposal had significant technical merits, staff also expressed its continuing efforts to work with CWI to enhance the original proposal to include particulate trap technology.

Proposal

CWI proposes to test a Cummins C8.3G Plus engine over steady-state test procedures on an engine dynamometer while the engine is independently equipped with a (1) standard oxidation catalyst, (2) standard coated wall-flow filter (Engelhard DPX), and (3) wall flow filter with coating formulated to the original oxidation catalyst on the C8.3G Plus engine. The result of this test and in-field data logging of exhaust temperatures and pressures from the test bus will be used to develop and optimize a catalyzed particulate system. The catalyst particulate system will then be installed at the exhaust of a transit bus, which would be tested over transient and steady-state cycles on a chassis dynamometer. The bus will then be demonstrated in service for six months to evaluate performance, reliability, and emission-reduction potential of the catalyzed trap. Additionally, CWI will investigate the impact of lubricants on emissions from CNG Engines. The CWI team consists of Southern California Gas Company (So Cal Gas), Engelhard, University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, WVU, and a transit provider.

Outreach

This proposal is a continuation of a proposal submitted by CWI in response to RFP #P2002-21 issued on December 12, 2002. 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:
 

1.	Angeles Mesa Wave, The	11.	Inland Valley Daily Bulletin	21.	Palm Springs Desert Sun
2.	Antelope Valley Press	12.	Korea Central Daily	22.	Philippine News
3.	Black Voice News	13.	La Opinion	23.	Precinct Reporter
4.	Central News Wave	14	La Prensa Hispana	24.	Rafu Shimpo
5.	Chinese Daily News	15.	La Voz	25.	Press Enterprise
6.	Eastern Group Publications	16.	Los Angeles Daily News	26.	San Bernardino Sun
7.	El Chicano	17.	Los Angeles Sentinel	27.	Santa Clarita Signal
8	El Informador	18.	Los Angeles Times	28.	The Wave
9.	Excelsior, The	19.	M/W/DVBE Source	29.	State of California Contracts
10.	Inland Empire Hispanic News	20.	Orange County Register		Register

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.

Qualification

CWI is an engine OEM, and the prime contractor for this development, optimization, 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. The lead person is experienced in managing similar programs such as analyzing engine technologies, and optimizing emissions control systems for internal combustion engines using advanced combustion, control, air handling, and aftertreatment systems. So Cal Gas is an expert in the area of monitoring gas quality. Engelhard is an aftertreatment manufacturer, and developed the original oxidation catalyst on the Cummins C8.3G Plus engine. WVU is one of few that has a capability to test heavy-duty vehicles on a transportable chassis dynamometer, and has many years of experience in evaluating a wide range of alternative fuel and energy technology for on-road applications. The University of Minnesota is an expert in sampling the aerosol emissions from heavy-duty engines and vehicles, while University of Wisconsin has worked on many projects involving chemical characterization of engine emissions. AQMD staff believes that CWI 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 CWI for an amount not to exceed $496,785 upon receipt of $100,000 co-funding from So Cal Gas. This agreement will be based on CWI securing a test vehicle. In addition, staff recommends that AQMD enter into an agreement with West Virginia University to provide transportable laboratory testing as part of this study for an amount not to exceed $83,215. DOE’s National Renewal Energy Laboratory (NREL) will provide an additional amount not to exceed $100,000 in direct cash and in-kind contribution to this study.

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.

Resource Impacts

The total cost for this project is estimated to be $740,000, of which AQMD cost shall not exceed $480,000 in addition to $100,000 in co-funding to be received from So Cal Gas. DOE/NREL will provide $100,000 in direct cash and in-kind contribution. CWI will provide $60,000 in-kind contribution. The total cost-share for the proposed project is:
 

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.

/ / /