- and the pollutants associated with generating that energy.
Impact of Commercial Success.Since completing Phase II, Fusion Systems has commercialized their sulfur lamp and is marketing Solar 1000TM—the company’s first series of sulfur lamp products. Commercialization of this product line has substantially increased sales and resulted in a 225 percent increase in staffing.
In recognition of Fusion Systems Corporation’s innovation in developing their sulfur lamp, the company received the 1995 Discovery Award and the 1995 Grand Award in Popular Science’s "Best of What’s New" feature.
SBIR Phase III Success Stories
In FY95, EPA awarded five SBIR Phase III contracts to companies that had demonstrated the technical feasibility and commercialization potential of technologies that could benefit the public and further the Agency’s mission. These Phase III projects were funded as part of the President’s Environmental Technology Initiative (non-SBIR funding). These technologies, briefly described in this section, are on the brink of commercialization and hold great promise for future environmental benefits.
Precision Combustion, Inc.
Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI), of New Haven, CT, has developed a very fast light off, high efficiency MicrolithTM catalytic converter capable of reducing automotive emissions. During Phases I and II, PCI demonstrated initial product performance and durability through testing at U.S. auto manufacturers. PCI also demonstrated effective application of the catalytic converter to a variety of industrial air toxic environments.- The Phase III funding has been directed toward further development and optimization of this technology for application in several specific automotive platforms and for targeted industrial air toxic solutions. Phase III funding will also be used for development of a process for volume production of successful prototypes. Phase III will conclude with the design and testing of several optimized MicrolithTM converters for U.S. auto company specifications and for VOC emissions reduction.
- CO = 1.7 g/mile
- NMOG (non-methane organic gases) =
0.04 g/mile - NOx = 0.2 g/mile
- Formaldehyde = 0.008 g/mile
Under the CAAA of 1990, the EPA adopted the existing California ULEV standards for its Clean Fuel Fleet Program. EPA has not developed ULEVs for general use vehicles.
There is substantial likelihood that most future automobiles will use MicrolithTM converters for emissions control. Testing by an auto manufacturer has shown a substantial reduction in hydrocarbon and NOx emissions—at approximately half of the ULEV levels, even after 50,000 mile rapid engine aging, and carbon monoxide emissions at 20 percent of the ULEV standard.
Impact of Commercial Success. Since award of the Phase I contract, PCI has grown from 4 to over 20 employees. PCI is currently developing detailed manufacturing and marketing plans for the MicrolithTM converter. They predict that MicrolithTM catalytic
Environmental Significance. The MicrolithTM catalytic converter is capable of inexpensively achieving the Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) standards mandated by California and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has established the following ULEV standards for a 50,000 mile certification:
