BOARD MEETING DATE: December 1, 2006
AGENDA NO. 5
Execute Contract to Investigate Role of Engine Lubricating Oil on Particulate Matter Emissions from Heavy-Duty and Other Vehicles
SYNOPSIS:
On May 30, 2006, U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) issued an RFP to investigate the role of lubricating oil on particulate matter emissions from motor vehicles including heavy-duty vehicles. Two proposals were received and reviewed by a panel of experts from NREL, CARB and AQMD, but only one proposal qualified. This action is to award a contract to NREL to perform the investigation of PM from lubricating oil through a subcontractor, Southwest Research Institute. The total cost for this project is $446,887 with the cost share to the AQMD not to exceed $100,000. Additional cost share will be provided by NREL and CARB.
COMMITTEE:
Technology, November 17, 2006, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:
- Recognize $100,000 in revenue from CARB and place the funds in the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31);
- Upon receipt of the CARB award, authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to investigate the role of lubricating oil on particulate matter emissions from heavy-duty and other vehicles, in an amount not to exceed $200,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
Mobile sources presently contribute about 20 tons per day of particulate matter (PM) in the Basin, with that amount projected to increase to about 40 tons per day by 2020. Engine tailpipe emissions are also a significant contributor to ambient PM2.5 levels. Technological developments in the area of in-cylinder PM control and the use of high-efficiency catalytic after-treatment technologies will provide large benefits when engines/vehicles employing these approaches become widespread in the on- and off-road fleet. However, given the relatively long life of vehicles, especially in the heavy-duty sector, a significant fraction of older, higher-polluting vehicles will remain on the road for many years. In fact, a growing body of data suggests that these older, often poorly maintained vehicles contribute disproportionately to the emission inventories.
A number of contributing factors determine the rate of production and the chemical nature of engine PM emissions, including: engine design and emission controls, fuel and lubricant properties, and duty cycle. For new diesel engines, improved power cylinder design, higher pressure fuel injection, and more recently, the introduction of catalytic converters and high-efficiency diesel particulate filters (DPFs) have enabled significant reductions in PM emissions. In addition, low-sulfur diesel fuel regulations have been implemented to reduce directly emitted sulfate-derived PM emissions and to enable the use of catalytic after-treatment technologies.
Engine lubricating oil has also been implicated as a significant parent material in the formation of mobile source PM emissions, including recent findings on nanoparticle emissions. This is true of engines burning gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and other fuels. As fuels become cleaner (especially with lower sulfur content) and emission control systems become more effective and durable, the contribution of lubricants becomes increasingly significant. Studies have shown that high-emitting engines (“oil burners”) are the most toxic in terms of potency per unit mass of emissions.
To date, much of the understanding regarding the impact of lubricating oil on particulate matter emissions has been anecdotal and not the subject of a focused and carefully conducted research study. Recognizing this knowledge gap and the potential benefits to air quality and human health, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), issued RFP Number 03-46831A on May 30, 2006, to investigate the role of lubricating oil on particulate matter emissions from motor vehicles including heavy-duty vehicles. Two proposals were received and reviewed by a panel of experts from NREL, CARB and AQMD, and Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) was selected to perform this investigation. The other proposal from Environment Canada was ineligible for a U.S. government contract with NREL because this business is financially supported by the Canadian government.
Proposal
Staff proposes that AQMD participate in the project to be performed by SwRI, which will investigate the role of lubricating oil in engine PM emissions. This will involve the emission testing of six different vehicles on chassis dynamometers: two heavy-duty diesel vehicles, a normal- and high-PM emitter; two heavy-duty natural-gas vehicles, a normal- and high-PM emitter; and, two light-duty gasoline vehicles, both a normal- and high-PM emitter. These vehicles will be emission tested with two proposed future lubricating oils. The PM emissions from the testing will be measured, and the PM samples will be speciated by Desert Research Institute to determine the composition and source of the PM, including lubricating-oil-related species. Emission testing will be performed at standard ambient temperatures for all vehicles, while the two light-duty gasoline vehicles will also be tested at approximately 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
SwRI is an independent, nonprofit applied research and development organization. It specializes in the creation and transfer of technology in engineering and the physical sciences. The Engine, Emissions and Vehicle Research Division conducts design, development, and test programs on a wide range of components, engines, transmissions, lubricants, emission controls and vehicles. SwRI is used by government agencies and the automotive and truck industry for many projects involving emission testing and control development. SwRI is located in San Antonio, Texas.
Benefits to AQMD
The 2003 AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies and clean-burning fuels in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. This project will explore the extent to which lubrication oil contributes to PM emissions from internal combustion engines, including those from heavy- and light-duty vehicles. The 2005 Update of the Technology Advancement Plan for the Clean Fuels Program includes the proposed project, “Perform Study of Comparative Emissions of Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel and Conventional Fuel Engines.” This project will study the impact of lubrication oil on PM emissions from heavy-duty natural-gas and conventionally fueled diesel and gasoline vehicles.
This study could lead to a revised lubrication oil specification which would produce lower PM emissions in the Basin. For example, a new oil specification is starting development for 2010 and later heavy-duty diesel engines because these engines will use new types of catalytic converters. Such new lubrication oils are ordinarily “backward compatible;” that is, the new oil is compatible with older engines and vehicles and will replace old-specification oil production and inventories. Should such new oils include a low-PM specification, significant PM reduction would be realized because all older, heavy-duty diesel trucks and busses would use the new oil and would have lower PM emissions for the long life typical of these vehicles. Such oils could also be used in heavy-duty off-road equipment, portable diesel generators and back-up diesel generator sets.
Resource Impacts
Total cost for the proposed project is approximately $446,887. AQMD’s contribution from the Clean Fuels Fund shall not exceed $100,000. The total estimated cost-share for this proposed project is:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory $246,887
California Air Resources Board 100,000
AQMD 100,000Total $446,887
Sufficient AQMD funds are available in the Clean Fuels Fund, which is established as special revenue 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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