BOARD MEETING DATE: April 6, 2007
AGENDA NO. 10

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contracts to Cosponsor the Development and Demonstration of Selective Catalytic Regeneration Technology for NOx and PM Emissions Control of Diesel-Powered Heavy Heavy-Duty Trucks

SYNOPSIS:

Diesel-powered on-road heavy heavy-duty vehicles contribute over 70 percent and 85 percent of the total Basin NOx and PM emissions, respectively from 1998 to 2002 model year heavy-duty diesel vehicles, based on CARB’s EMFAC 2007 emissions model.  Selective catalytic reduction and particulate filter technologies are capable of significantly reducing NOx and PM emissions from diesel engines.  This action is to award contracts to Johnson Matthey Inc., and West Virginia University to design, install, quantify emissions of, and demonstrate a selective catalytic regenerating technology on  15 1998 through 2002 model year on-road vehicles equipped with diesel engines rated at 350 hp or more at a cost not to exceed $330,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund.  The total cost of the proposed project is $731,500 and Johnson Matthey will provide $401,500 in direct funding and in-kind contributions.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 23, 2007, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Authorize the Chairman to:

1. Execute a contract with Johnson Matthey Inc., to co-sponsor the development and demonstration of selective catalytic regenerating technology for NOx and PM emissions control from at least 15 1998 through 2002 model year heavy heavy-duty diesel-powered trucks in an amount not to exceed $254,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).
2. Execute a contract with West Virginia University to provide transportable laboratory testing to quantify emissions as part of the development and demonstration of selective catalytic regenerating technology for NOx and PM emissions control of heavy heavy-duty diesel-powered trucks in an amount not to exceed $76,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Based on CARB’s EMFAC 2007 emissions model, there are approximately 42,000 heavy-duty diesel trucks in the 1998 through 2002 model year operating in the District at any given time, and producing over 102 tons per day of NOx and 2 tons per day of PM emissions.  Although heavy heavy-duty diesel trucks represent 28 percent of heavy-duty diesel trucks, they emit more than 76 tons of NOx and 2 tons of PM per day.  Selective catalytic reduction technology and diesel particulate filters (CARB Level III PM control) are capable of reducing NOx and PM emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks by at least 70 and 85 percent or more, respectively.  Selective Catalytic reduction technology is currently being used on new trucks in Europe.

AQMD staff has been discussing with Johnson Matthey (JM) a project to demonstrate its selective catalytic regenerating technology (SCRT) system for reduction of NOx and PM emissions from heavy heavy-duty diesel trucks.  SCRT combines JM’s continuously regenerating filter technology with a urea-based selective catalytic reduction system. 

Proposal

The proposed project is to assess the reliability and emission reduction potential of JM’s SCRT on heavy heavy-duty diesel trucks operating in the South Coast Air Basin.  The scope of the project includes the design, installation, and in-field demonstration of SCRT on heavy heavy-duty diesel trucks in actual commercial service. 

JM proposes to select fifteen (15) heavy heavy-duty diesel trucks; two of the trucks will be retrofitted with prototype SCRT systems, data-logged for temperature and pressure, and evaluated for 90 days to optimize the performance and emission-reduction potential of SCRT.  The results of this evaluation will be used to fabricate thirteen (13) or fifteen (15) SCRT systems (depending on the results of the prototype evaluation) suitable for heavy heavy-duty diesel truck applications.  The fabricated SCRT systems will then be installed at the exhaust of the trucks.  Two of the trucks, one with at least a 90-day old SCRT system, and the other with a new or relatively fresh SCRT, will be tested over transient and steady-state cycles on a chassis dynamometer.  The trucks will then be demonstrated in service for six (6) months to evaluate performance, reliability, and emissions-reduction potential of the SCRT system.

This action is for AQMD to enter into an agreement with Johnson Matthey Inc., to cosponsor the development and demonstration of selective catalytic regenerating technology system for heavy heavy-duty diesel-powered trucks in an amount not to exceed $254,000.  In addition, this action is for AQMD to enter into an agreement with West Virginia University (WVU) to provide transportable laboratory testing to quantify emissions as part of this study for an amount not to exceed $76,000.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the 2006 Technology Advancement Plan Update under the category, “Emission Control Technologies: Develop and Demonstrate Advanced Aftertreatment Technologies.”  The proposed project supports the implementation of near-term emission control technology that that could potentially reduce NOx and PM emissions from diesel-powered heavy heavy-duty trucks by more than 70 and 85 percent, respectively.

Sole Source Justification

Section VII.C.2. of the Policy for Clean Air Incentive Contracts identifies provisions under which a sole source award may be justified.  This request for a sole source award is made under provision C.2.d.: Other circumstances exist which in the determination of the Executive Officer require such waiver in the best interest of the AQMD.  This request for a sole source award is made under provision C.2.c(3):  the contractor has ownership of key assets required for project performance. 

JM designs and manufactures a wide range of exhaust aftertreatment technologies for reducing criteria and air toxics emissions from liquid and gaseous fuels.  In addition, JM has considerable experience with SCR and diesel particulate filter technologies, and presently designs and supplies SCR and particulate filters to major engine manufacturers.

JM has secured cost sharing from WVU and Ralphs Grocery Company. 

Resource Impacts

The total cost for this project is estimated to be $731,500, of which AQMD cost shall not exceed $330,000.  JM and its partners will contribute the remaining $401,500 in direct funding and in-kind contributions.  The total estimated cost-share for this project is provided below:

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.