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California Environmental Protection Agency. Air Resources Board. Public Workshop to Discuss the Need for Amendments to the Alternative Fuels Regulations Regarding Motor Vehicle LPG & CNG. June 21, 2000. Overview. Background LPG Issues CNG Issues Draft Concepts Future Activities.
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California Environmental Protection Agency Air Resources Board Public Workshop to Discuss the Need for Amendments to the Alternative Fuels Regulations Regarding Motor Vehicle LPG & CNG June 21, 2000
Overview • Background • LPG Issues • CNG Issues • Draft Concepts • Future Activities
Background Alternative Fuels Regulations • Title 13, CCR, sections 2290-2292 originally adopted in 1992 • Provides engine manufacturers with a known fuel quality for designing engines • Ensures consistent fuel quality to prevent engine performance problems and excess emissions
Background Motor Vehicle LPG Specifications Propane (min.) 85 vol% Propene (max.) 10.0 vol% Pentenes +heavier (max.) 0.5 vol% Butene (max.) 2.0 max% Vapor Pressure (max.) 208 psig Volatility Residue: (max.) - Evap. Temp, 95% -37oF, or - Butanes 5.0 vol% Residual Matter: - Residue on evap. of 0.05 ml 100 ml on oil stain obs. Sulfur (max.) 80 ppmw Water, Corrosion, Odorant
Methane (min.) 88 mol% Ethane (max.) 6 mol% C3+higher (max.) 3 mol% C6+higher (max.) 0.2 mol% Hydrogen 0.1 mol% Carbon Dioxide 0.1 mol% Oxygen 1.0 mol% Inert Gases 1.5 - 4.5 mol% Sulfur (max.) 16 ppmv Water, Particulates, Odorant Hydrocarbons Other Species Background Motor Vehicle CNG Specifications
LPG Issues • Limited Northern CA. availability of LPG meeting the MV fuel specifications • Production- Refinery by-product, commercial vs. MVgrade • Distribution- No segregated system to handle two fuels • Limited supplies of MV LPG may affect the use of existing and siting of new LPG fleets • Transport/delivery trucks are fueled on the same LPG they carry as product • Safety concern with use of ASTM D 2784-89 to determine sulfur content of LPG
CNG Issues • Limited availability of CNG meeting the MV fuel specifications in parts of San Joaquin Valley and South Central Coast • Production- Associated gas/oil production; commercial vs. MV grade • Distribution- No segregated distribution system to handle two fuels • CNG associated with oil production contains ethane in excess of 6 mol% • CNG fueling stations must blend to comply with CNG MV fuel specs • No new CNG fueling stations in these areas limit the siting of new CNG fleets
Draft Concepts • Evaluate captured fleet exemption for CNG & LPG • Consider LPG delivery truck exemption • Consider an alternative LPG sulfur test method(s)
Draft Concepts Captured Fleet Exemption Considerations • Engine durability, performance, emissions • Liability • Misfueling • Fleet Management & Recordkeeping • Duration of exemption
Draft Concepts Captured Fleet Exemption • Limited geographic applicability • Applies only to commercial fleets w/central fueling facilities • Fleet owner uses off-spec fuel at own risk • Memorandum of understanding between fuel supplier, fleet owner & engine manufacturer • Fleet owner to safeguard against misfueling • Fleet owner must maintain records • Sunset provision
Draft Concepts Captured Fleet ExemptionPotential Concern • Unavailability of complying MV LPG/CNG at publicly accessible fueling locations • Consider requirement to maintain current supplies of complying fuel for public access vehicles
Draft Concepts Other Amendments • Consider LPG delivery truck exemption • Permanent vs. temporary • Consider alternative LPG sulfur detection test method(s) • Demonstrate stringency to 80 ppmw sulfur limit • Reproducibility and acccuracy to ASTM D 2784
Future Activities • Work with stakeholders to fully develop appropriate concepts • Next workshop planned for late July 2000 • Tentative Board hearing scheduled for October 2000