BOARD MEETING DATE: April 4, 2008
AGENDA NO. 9

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contract to Demonstrate NOx and PM Emissions Control on Construction Equipment

SYNOPSIS:

Diesel-powered construction equipment emit significant amounts of NOx and PM into the South Coast Air Basin. The AQMD has supported programs to accelerate the verification of after treatment control technologies for off-road diesel vehicles. Control technologies such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology combined with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) has been shown to reduce NOx and PM emissions from on-road vehicles and are being demonstrated on off-road vehicles. This action is to execute a contract with ServoTech Engineering to design, install, quantify emissions of, and further demonstrate an SCR and DPF control system on at least three heavy-duty construction equipment engines at a cost not to exceed $320,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. The total cost of the proposed project is $990,420 and ServoTech Engineering and the Los Angeles County Sanitation District will provide $670,420 of in-kind support.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, March 21, 2008. Less than a quorum was present for the discussion of this item; the Chair communicated their concurrence and recommendation that this item be forwarded for Board consideration with no approval or disapproval recommendation from the Committee.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to execute a contract with ServoTech Engineering to co-sponsor the demonstration of a selective catalytic reduction technology combined with diesel particulate filter for NOx and PM emissions control on at least three pieces of heavy-duty diesel-fueled construction equipment in an amount not to exceed $320,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund (Fund 31).

 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Diesel-powered construction equipment emit significant amounts of NOx and PM emissions into the South Coast Air Basin. Control technologies such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology combined with an active diesel particulate filter (DPF) has been shown to reduce NOx and PM emissions from on-road vehicles and are being demonstrated on off-road vehicles. More recently, the AQMD staff has bee n working with CARB and MSRC to demonstrate after-treatment controls on off-road diesel vehicles. In addition, the AQMD staff has been discussing with ServoTech Engineering (ServoTech) a project to demonstrate its urea-based SCR technology combined with an active DPF for reduction of NOx and PM emissions from diesel-powered construction equipment.
 

Proposal

The proposed project is to demonstrate the reliability and emission reduction potential of ServoTech’s emission control system consisting of an SCR technology, diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), and active DPF on heavy-duty diesel-powered construction equipment operating in the South Coast Air Basin. This emission control system is expected to be more durable than other SCR-with-DPF retrofit technologies for construction equipment because it employs a weld-free exhaust system built to withstand aggressive vibrations. Vibrations have been shown to compromise the durability and integrity of retrofit technologies for construction equipment, especially tracked-tire bulldozers.
 

The scope of the project includes the design, fabrication, installation, and in-field demonstration of the emission control system on heavy-duty diesel-powered construction equipment at the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (CSDLAC) landfill in Puente Hills. In addition, the goal of the project is to verify the emission control system through CARB as a Level III (greater than or equal to 85% PM reduction) and Mark 5 (greater than or equal to 85% NOx reduction) technology.
 

ServoTech proposes to select at least three pieces of heavy-duty diesel-powered construction equipment, all of which will be data-logged for temperature and pressure. In addition, ServoTech proposes to establish the baseline NOx and PM emissions from each engine using a portable exhaust gas monitoring system for diesel applications (S-EGM-D100) and conduct baseline engine dynamometer testing according to the CARB verification test procedures for off-road engines. The results of baseline emissions and in-field data logging will be used to design and fabricate at least three emission control systems suitable for heavy-duty construction applications. The fabricated systems will then be installed and demonstrated in service for 1100 hours. ServoTech will again conduct on-board measurement of the three engines using the portable emission measurement system after the emission control systems have been conditioned. After the emission control 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 a contract with ServoTech to cosponsor the demonstration of the emission control system for heavy-duty diesel-powered construction equipment in an amount not to exceed $320,000.
 

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 85 percent.
 

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 sole source award is made under provision C.2.c(3): the contractor has ownership of key assets required for project performance, and C.2.d(1): projects involving cost sharing by multiple sponsors.

ServoTech designs and manufactures the SCR system and DPF technology for reducing criteria and air toxics emissions from diesel powered engines. In addition, ServoTech has considerable experience in evaluating and conducting emissions test of diesel technologies and diesel-fueled engines.

ServoTech has secured cost sharing from CSDLAC and the details of the cost-share are provided in the following section.
 

Resource Impacts

The total cost for this project is estimated to be $990,420, of which AQMD cost shall not exceed $320,000. ServoTech and CSDLAC will provide the remaining $670,420 in direct funding and in-kind contributions. ServoTech’s in-kind contribution includes project administration, construction equipment selection, control technology design, fabrication, and installation, procurement of urea, emissions and performance testing, data analysis, and reporting. CSDLAC’s in-kind assistance will include construction equipment selection and downtime for technology installation, day-to-day minor repair work, CSDLAC staff time for data collection and reporting, monitoring equipment and technology performance, and meetings to discuss any issues during the demonstration period. 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.