BOARD MEETING DATE: September 7, 2007
AGENDA NO. 6

Diesel-powered construction equipment contributed approximately 120 and 7.5 tons per day of the total Basin NOx and PM emissions, respectively, in 2006. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology has been shown to reduce NOx emissions from stationary sources and on-road vehicles, and because it works as an oxidation catalyst, it is also capable of reducing PM, hydrocarbons, and toxics contaminants. This action is to request award of a contract to Engine, Fuel, and Emissions Engineering, Inc. to design, install, quantify emissions of, and demonstrate SCR technology on at least two heavy-duty construction equipment engines at a cost not to exceed $135,830 from the Clean Fuels Fund. The total cost of the proposed project is $330,850 and Engine, Fuel, and Emissions Engineering, Inc. and the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County will provide $195,020 in in-kind contributions.

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with Engine, Fuel, and Emissions Engineering, Inc., to co-sponsor the demonstration of selective catalytic reduction technology for NOx and PM emissions control from at least two heavy-duty diesel-fueled construction equipment in an amount not to exceed $135,830 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Based on the CARB OFFROAD 2006 emission model, there are approximately 68,600 pieces of diesel-powered construction equipment in the Basin in 2006 which together produce approximately 120 tons per day of NOx and 7.5 tons per day of PM emissions. Selective catalytic reduction technology is capable of reducing NOx and PM emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks by 80 and 30 percent or more, respectively.

Staff has been in discussions with Engine, Fuel, and Emissions Engineering, Inc. (EF&EE) to conduct a project to demonstrate its selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for reduction of NOx and PM emissions from diesel-powered construction equipment. SCR is a urea-based selective catalytic reduction system.

Proposal

The proposed project is to demonstrate the reliability and emission reduction potential of EF&EE’s SCR system on heavy-duty diesel-powered construction equipment operating in the South Coast Basin. The scope of the project includes the design, installation, and field demonstration of SCR on heavy-duty diesel-powered construction equipment at the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (CSDLAC) landfill in Puente Hills.

EF&EE proposes to select at least two heavy-duty diesel-powered construction equipment with at least three heavy-duty diesel engines, one of which will be data logged for temperature and vibration level. In addition, EF&EE proposes to establish the baseline NOx and PM emissions from each engine using a portable EF&EE’s RAVEM emission measurement system, and conduct an engine dynamometer test on an engine comparable to one of the selected engines in size and application to serve as a baseline engine according to the CARB verification test procedures for off-road engines. The results of this test and field data logging will be used to fabricate at least three SCR systems suitable for heavy-duty construction applications. The fabricated SCR systems will then be installed at the exhaust of each engine, and demonstrated in service for 1100 hours. EF&EE will again conduct on-board measurement of the three engines using the RAVEM portable emission measurement system after the SCR has been conditioned (degreened). After the SCR systems have accumulated 1100 hours, one of the systems will be removed and installed on the baseline engine, and tested on an engine dynamometer according to CARB verification test procedures.

This action is for AQMD to enter into an agreement with EF&EE Inc., to cosponsor the demonstration of SCR technology for heavy-duty diesel-powered construction equipment in an amount not to exceed $135,830.

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project is included in the 2007 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 could potentially reduce NOx and PM emissions from diesel-powered heavy heavy-duty trucks by more than 80 and 30 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 interests of the AQMD. This request for sole source award is made under provision C.2.c(3): the contractor has ownership of key assets required for project performance.

EF&EE designs and manufactures the SCR technology for reducing criteria and air toxic emissions from diesel-powered engines. In addition, EF&EE has considerable experience in evaluating and conducting emissions test of diesel technologies and diesel-fueled engines.

EF&EE has secured cost sharing from SDLAC for $130,420.

Resource Impacts

The total cost for this project is estimated to be $330,850, of which AQMD cost shall not exceed $135,830. EF&EE and its partners will contribute the remaining $195,020 in 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.