News

01/05/07

Phase 1: On-Road Emission Testing of Biodiesel in a 2004-Model Tractor-Trailer
In a project for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, South Coast AQMD, and the City of Santa Monica, EF&EE carried out RAVEM measurements to characterize on-road emissions from a tractor-trailer equipped with an advanced-technology 2004-model diesel engine. Baseline emission measurements were performed using three fuels: California ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), B20 (20% biodiesel with 80% ULSD), and B99 (99% biodiesel with 1% ULSD). In the next phase of the project, the truck will be equipped with combined SCR and diesel particulate filter system, and then retested using the same three fuels.

12/27/06

EF&EE wins $151,170 Innovative Clean Air Technology Grant
The California Air Resources Board has announced the award of $2.6 million in Clean Air Technology Grant funds for 2006, including $151,170 to EF&EE for a project to demonstrate the combination of our Compact SCR technology and diesel particulate filters on a Blue and Gold Fleet ferryboat operating in San Francisco Bay.

12/15/06

EF&EE at the UNCRD for Asia's Second Regional Forum on EST
EF&EE President Christopher Weaver participated as an expert panelist in the U.N. Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) for Asia's Second Regional Forum on Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST), held December 11 and 12 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The panel reviewed and commented on the EST plans of China, Japan, Korea, the 10 ASEAN countries, and Mongolia. Mr. Weaver is one of 15 internationally-recognized experts serving on the UNCRD panel, and the only one from North America.

11/15/06

Update on ALECS testing
Testing on the Advanced Locomotive Emissions Control System in was completed in mid-September. The results are not yet publicly available, but should be announced soon.

South Coast Air Quality Management District awards $306,735 grant to EF&EE for development and demonstration of a Compact SCR™ system for Metrolink passenger locomotives
The South Coast AQMD is responsible for air quality planning and attainment in the Los Angeles metrolopolitan region, which is faced with the worst air quality in the United States. Metrolink operates 38 EMD F59PH and F59 PHI locomotives in commuter rail service throughout the South Coast region. Under a grant agreement approved by the AQMD Board on September 8, 2006, EF&EE will design, build, install, and test a Compact SCR system on the EMD 12-710G main propulsion engine of a Metrolink passenger locomotive. This and similar two-stroke diesel engines are also widely used on EMD freight locomotives. This project will be the first demonstration of SCR technology on any locomotive in North America.  The tasks include: conducting baseline engine measurements; designing and assembling the SCR catalytic converter; designing and assembling the urea storage and injection system; installing the entire system in the locomotive; and monitoring the SCR locomotive for one year in passenger rail service. On-board emission tests will be conducted at the beginning, middle, and end of the demonstration using EF&EE’s RAVEM system.

06/12/06

EF&EE to exhibit at A&WMA exhibition in New Orleans
EF&EE will be exhibiting the RAVEM system and a compact SCR mount at the Air and Waste Management Association's annual conference at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, from June 20-23. We hope to see you there!

Contract for Locomotive Testing in Roseville, CA
EF&EE has been contracted to carry out emission testing in connection with the demonstration of the Advanced Locomotive Emission Control System (ALECS) at the Union Pacific J.R. Davis railyard in Roseville, CA. The ALECS demonstration is a public-private collaborative project involving the Placer County Air Pollution Control District, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Union Pacific Railroad, Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc., the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), the California Air Resources Board, and the City of Roseville. EF&EE has been tasked with carrying out the emissions measurements under a contract with the South Coast AQMD. Under the test protocol developed by EF&EE and agreed by all of the participants, emission measurements will be conducted at three points: the locomotive stack, the inlet to the ALECS emission control unit, and the system outlet. Emission measurements will be carried out in accordance with ISO 8178, using three RAVEM systems as well as the instrumentation of the ALECS itself. Two locomotives will be used in the test program: a General Electric Dask-8 series line-haul locomotive, and an EMD GP38 road-switcher. Testing is scheduled to take place during early August, 2006.