RFGA-07

Open Date:	November 1, 2006
Close Date:	November 29, 2006
Anticipated Number of Awards:	4 - 8
Anticipated Award Amount:	$100,000 - $250,000
Total Funding Available:	$1,000,000

Applications are being requested for projects to develop emission reduction technologies, particularly focused on oxides of nitrogen emissions, as part of the State of Texas’ New Technology Research and Development (NTRD) program. The (NTRD) program provides funds for projects related to reductions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). Projects funded by this program should advance technology that can be offered for sale in the state of Texas in less than five years after grant award.

A recent study has identified over 500 tug and tow vessels routinely operating in the Houston-Galveston area. By 2009, these vessels are estimated to account for 29% (12.5 tons per day) of total NOx marine emissions in the Houston-Galveston area.

This solicitation is for funding the development and verification of technologies that can reduce NOx emissions by 25% or more from original year of manufacture levels of the primary diesel engines on board tug and tow boats operating in the Texas waterways. Special consideration will be given to projects that will also reduce emissions of Particulate Matter (PM), Hydrocarbons (HC) and Carbon Monoxide (CO). Technology solutions can consist of, but are not limited to:

• Engine overhaul kits
• Electronically regulated fuel injection retrofit
• Exhaust gas recirculation
• Water injection
• Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)

The vessels that are part of the identified class of tug and tow boats can be used in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, line-haul, harbor assist, bunkering, dredging, and salvage operations. Many of these types of operations may have duty cycles that limit exhaust temperatures to specific ranges. Applicants should take duty cycles variations into consideration in their proposals.