BOARD MEETING DATE: December 3, 2010
AGENDA NO. 10

PROPOSAL:

Execute Contracts for In-Use Emissions Testing and Demonstration of Retrofit Technology of On-Road Heavy-Duty Engines

SYNOPSIS:

In July 2010, the Board released an RFP to conduct in-use emissions testing of on-road heavy-duty engines, and based on these emissions tests, develop and evaluate the performance and emission-reduction potential of retrofit technology for control of on-road heavy-duty engines. Three proposals were received in response to the RFP. This action is to award contracts to West Virginia University and the University of California, Riverside to conduct the in-use testing, at a total cost not to exceed $1,424,484 from the Clean Fuels Program Fund.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, November 19, 2010, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS:

Authorize the Chairman to execute contracts with the following two entities from the Clean Fuels Program Fund (31):

1. University of California, Riverside, for in-use emissions testing of on-road heavy-duty engines in an amount not to exceed $689,742; and

2. West Virginia University for in-use emissions testing of on-road heavy-duty engines and the evaluation of retrofit technologies in an amount not to exceed $734,742.

 

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On-road heavy-duty engines are now subject to the 2010 U.S. EPA emissions standards of 0.01 gram per brake-horsepower-hr (g/bhp-hr) PM and 0.20 g/bhp-hr NOx. Some engine manufacturers are using emissions credits which allow them to produce a mixture of engines certified at, below, or above 0.20 g/bhp-hr NOx. This mixture of engines allows engine manufacturers to comply with the emissions standards on an average basis. These engines are either stoichiometric engines with three-way catalysts or lean burn engines equipped with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and/or diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology.

While recent limited-scale studies have shown reduced NOx and PM emissions from trucks powered by compliant engines, other studies indicate a potential increase in some exhaust emissions. In particular, in a recent heavy-duty in-use emissions measurement study conducted by the University of Colorado, ammonia emissions from liquefied natural gas trucks were found to be significantly higher due to the nature of spark-ignited engines. Studies conducted by The Netherland Organization (TNO) indicated that heavy-duty diesel engines equipped with SCR technologies have higher NOx exhaust emissions than their certified levels. As such, additional studies are required to assess the impact of the technologies on emissions from engines used in a variety of applications, particularly since the number of these engines will continue to increase in the future.

On July 9, 2010, the Board approved the release of RFP #P2011-6 to conduct in-use emissions testing and if needed, to evaluate emission-reduction potential of retrofit technology on existing and new heavy-duty engines. The RFP solicited proposals from teams consisting of retrofit technology manufacturers and vehicle emission testing laboratories. The proposed contractors are responsible for coordinating all aspects of the project including, obtaining regulatory permits, securing test vehicles, scheduling and coordinating all installations and emissions testing, procuring control devices and hardware, conducting analysis, and preparing reports.

Outreach

In accordance with AQMD’s Procurement Policy and Procedure, a public notice advertising the RFP/RFQ and inviting bids was published in the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, the San Bernardino Sun, and Riverside County Press Enterprise newspapers to leverage the most cost-effective method of outreach to the entire South Coast Basin.

Additionally, potential bidders may have been notified utilizing AQMD’s own electronic listing of certified minority vendors. Notice of the RFP/RFQ has been 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 website (http://www.aqmd.gov). Information is also available on AQMD’s bidder’s 24-hour telephone message line (909) 396-2724.

Proposal Evaluations

Three proposals were received in response to RFP #P2011-6 by the deadline of September 2, 2010. The proposals were reviewed and evaluated by a five-member panel in accordance with established AQMD guidelines, using technical and cost criteria outlined in the RFP. The five-member evaluation panel consisted of: one AQMD Assistant Deputy Executive Officer, one AQMD Program Supervisor, one CARB Division Chief, and two outside technical experts. The panel members were all male, and included one Asian/Pacific Islander, one Hispanic, one African American, and two Caucasians.

The proposals receiving a score of at least 56 out of 70 points were considered technically qualified and eligible for contract awards. Bidders were awarded additional evaluation points with the proposal offering the highest cofunding ratio receiving the maximum of 30 points and the others were prorated accordingly. Upon evaluation, West Virginia University (WVU) and the University of California, Riverside (UCR) proposals received 91 and 63 points, respectively, while the third proposal scored less than the minimum points required to be deemed technically acceptable by all panel members. The WVU and UCR technical and cost scores are shown below.

Proposed Awards

The objectives of the proposed project include: in-use emissions testing of heavy-duty natural gas and diesel vehicles to verify emissions standards and the emission-reduction potential of engine or aftertreatment technology to reduce regulated emissions over time; measurement of ammonia and formaldehyde emissions from heavy-duty vehicles; the effectiveness of oxidation catalysts or alternative technologies to reduce these emissions; the assessment of the emission-reduction potential of EGR to reduce PM and NOx emissions from diesel engines; and the impact of using water in-lieu of urea or no reductant for SCR technology. To achieve these objectives, the proposed project is designed to involve up to twenty-one on-road heavy-duty vehicles used in transit, school bus, refuse, and goods movement applications and powered by engines fueled with natural gas, propane, diesel, and combination of diesel and natural gas fuels. The engines are categorized into six groups including natural gas engines with three-way catalysts, high pressure direct injection (HPDI) engines with EGR and DPF technology, diesel engines certified at 1.2 g NOx, diesel engines certified above 0.2 g NOx without SCR technology, and diesel engines certified at or below 0.2g NOx with SCR technology. The emissions test matrix is shown in Table 1. 

Table 1: Emissions Test Matrix

The total number of tests to be conducted as shown in Table 1 is based on testing each transit, school bus, refuse and good movement vehicle on up to three driving test cycles.  

West Virginia University

West Virginia University (WVU), which is one of the two proposed prime contractors for this emissions testing and demonstration program has managed several projects involving testing and development of engines and vehicles with an emphasis on emissions, alternative fuels, and related technologies. In addition, WVU is one of the few organizations that has the capability to test heavy-duty vehicles on a transportable chassis dynamometer. The lead person is experienced in managing similar programs and has supported AQMD, CARB, U.S. EPA and others on a variety of projects related to technology analysis, engine and vehicle testing, combustion data acquisition and analysis, and alternative fuel vehicle technologies. In addition, the WVU team consists of a leading developer and manufacturer of exhaust aftertreatment systems (Johnson Matthey, Inc.) and individuals with a wide range of experience in alternative fuel technologies and heavy-duty engines. Recently, WVU worked with CARB to conduct emissions testing on 2010 emissions standard compliant natural gas transit buses equipped with three-way catalysts. AQMD staff believes that WVU and its partners meet the requirements of the RFP, and are qualified to coordinate and conduct all aspects of the project.  

This proposed action is to execute a contract with WVU for an amount not to exceed $734,742 from the Clean Fuels Program Fund. The amount for in-use emissions testing and demonstration of on-road heavy-duty engines is $689,742 and the amount for evaluation of oxidation catalysts or alternative retrofit technologies for control of ammonia and formaldehyde emissions from up to three on-road heavy-duty natural gas engines is $45,000.

University of California, Riverside

University of California, Riverside (UCR) is the other proposed prime contractor for this in-use emissions testing and retrofit technology demonstration project, and has managed several projects involving emissions testing of engines and vehicles. In addition, UCR has the capability to test heavy-duty vehicles on a chassis dynamometer. The lead person is experienced in managing similar programs and has supported AQMD, CARB, U.S. EPA, and others on a variety of projects related to technology analysis, engine and vehicle testing, engine and combustion data acquisition and analysis, drive cycle development, and alternative fuel vehicle technologies. In addition, the UCR team consists of a manufacturer of exhaust aftertreatment systems (Catalytic Solutions, Inc.), an expert with electronic control module technology (FEV), and individuals with a wide range of experience in alternative fuel technologies and heavy-duty engines. Recently, UCR worked with U.S. EPA to assess ammonia emissions from light-duty vehicles. AQMD staff believes that UCR and its partners meet the requirement described in the RFP, and are qualified to coordinate all aspects of the project. This proposed action is to execute a contract with UCR for an amount not to exceed $689,742 from the Clean Fuels Funds. 

Both WVU and UCR will perform chassis dynamometer tests of in-use emissions of total hydrocarbons, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, NOx, CO, PM, ammonia, formaldehyde, and toxic air contaminants from the test vehicles. In addition, if the dynamometer tests results show emissions higher than state or federal allowable limits, WVU will design an oxidation catalyst or identify an alternative retrofit technology capable of reducing ammonia and formaldehyde emissions from natural gas vehicles. The designed or identified retrofit technology will be installed on up to three of the natural gas vehicles, which have three-way catalysts and tested on the chassis dynamometer to assess the performance and emission-reduction potential of the technology. 

Benefits to AQMD

The proposed project supports the implementation of advanced alternative fuel technology that could potentially be used to further reduce PM emissions from on-road heavy-duty vehicles. The proposed project is included in the Technology Advancement Office 2010 Plan Update under “Fuels/Emission Studies” and “Emission Control Technologies.”

Resource Impacts

The total cost for this project is estimated to be $1,603,181, of which AQMD’s cost-share shall not exceed $1,424,484. WVU and partners will provide an in-kind contribution of $159,905, while UCR will provide the remaining $18,792 in the form of in-kind contribution. The total estimated cost-share for this project is reflected in the table below:

Sufficient funds for these two proposed projects 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.