: Characterization of Coking Coal, Coke and Coke By-Products for the Purpose of Developing Updated Carbon Dioxide Combustion Emission Factors

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The Crown has determined that any intellectual property arising from the performance of the Work under the Contract will vest in Canada, on the following grounds: 

6.4 	    Where the main purpose of the Crown Procurement Contract, or of the 
          deliverables contracted for, is:

6.4.1 To generate knowledge and information for public dissemination; 

Mandatory Criteria

The Project Manager must hold a relevant engineering or science degree. Only degrees in the following disciplines will be considered relevant: mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, civil engineering, mining engineering, geological engineering, earth science, or environmental science from a recognized university. Proof of the degree must be provided upon request.
The Project Manager must demonstrate experience managing 2 projects relevant to the statement of work within the past 10 years.  Only projects pertaining to the following areas will be considered relevant: the steel industry; greenhouse gases and/or air pollutants; emission factors; emission inventories; and data collection.
The Project Manager must demonstrate a minimum of 10 years’ experience in each of the following three areas: industry analysis, coal or coal products and data analysis.

All members of the project team must have a relevant engineering or science degree. Only degrees in the following disciplines will be considered relevant: mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, civil engineering, mining engineering, geological engineering, earth science, or environmental science.
At least one project team member must demonstrate a minimum of 2 years’ experience developing estimates of GHGs, or other air emissions.

 
CONFIDENTIALITY

The parties anticipate that it may be necessary to transfer information relating to the Licensed Process, Patents, Trade-mark, Know-How or other information relating to this Agreement, of a confidential nature.  The parties shall keep all such information confidential during and after the life of this Agreement.

Subject to the Access to Information Act, R.S. 1985, c.A-1, the parties agree that the terms of this Agreement are confidential and each party shall use the same degree of care to prevent disclosure of the terms of this Agreement to third parties as it uses to protect its own confidential information of similar nature.

The contractor will undertake to obtain individual non-disclosure agreements with all industry participants in this study.

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is the development of new coke and coke by-products combustion CO2 emission factors.  The contractor will develop these emission factors using an approach that is consistent with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines for National GHG inventories (where a Tier 3 facility level approach is preferred).  The aim is to use the best information available and to be as rigorous as practicable within the budgeted level of effort. 

In order to develop these emission factors, the study will, at minimum, evaluate the following factors and activities.

•	Quantity, rank, carbon content and origin of coal charged to cokers
•	Coking practices and technologies and determination of carbon content of coke and coke by-products produced and destined for combustion in Canada
•	Carbon content of coke imported into Canada for combustion
•	Types of combustion activities that use coke on an “as fuel” basis to determine impact on oxidation factor

The study will also evaluate the most accurate methods to apply these carbon content values.  As such, it will need to consider the sources of annual coke data available to Environment Canada and how that data is reported.  Of importance will be:

•	A consideration of how masses of coke use are reported.  This will involve, at a minimum, the following considerations.
1.	Whether coke is reported on a dry or wet basis.  This is important to ensure that the correct mass is utilized - coke may be stored in the open and mass will be affected by moisture content, which may be as great as 25% or more.  
2.	Whether “coke” mass includes other coke by-products.  If reported masses include by-products, this will affect carbon content and it will be necessary to evaluate the type and typical percentages of by-products included in the reported “coke”.  
•	A consideration of regional differences in a) the base carbon content of cokes used and b) how masses of coke used are reported.  If such differences are determined to be significant, the contractor will evaluate appropriate carbon contents for each region.


In addition, the contractor will attempt to ascertain the disposition of non-combustion carbon sources, such as coal tar, which are imported or leave the coker site. This will facilitate the development of an estimated carbon balance for coke and coke by-products used in Canada.
 
For the purposes of this study, coke and coke by-products include coke produced by Canadian cokers and sold or supplied to commercial entities not situated at coker site, coke breeze and other “waste” products of the coker sold or supplied to commercial entities not situated at coker site, coal tar sold or supplied to commercial entities not situated at coker site and any coke imported into Canada for the purposes of combustion.
BACKGROUND
Coke and coke by-products are a known source of combustion GHGs. Carbon dioxide emissions from the combustion of coke are currently being estimated using an emission factor which has become out-of-date.  The method used by Environment Canada for calculating this factor, was established in 1992, and relied on IPCC approximations, based on the European steel/coke industry, which are not applicable to Canadian circumstances.  The quantity of imported coke has increased substantially over the last 20 years, and the exact combustion properties of this source are unknown.

The Government of Canada is required under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to report annually an accurate inventory of emissions and removals of GHGs. There is also a mandate to implement continuous improvements to the methodologies associated with this inventory. This study will update the inventory estimation methods to reflect current use and properties of coke in Canada.

STATEMENT OF WORK

The tasks set out in the following Statement of Work will proceed as outlined below. The work is presented in a sequential fashion herein; however, the Contractor is free to suggest in the project proposal any sequence of steps that would be most efficient.

	Task 1 – Project Management and Client Liaison 
Management of this contract will reside with Environment Canada (EC), but will be done in close consultation with industry. The Contractor must maintain open communication with EC technical experts throughout the project with scheduled progress/review meetings and informal consultations as requested. Brief monthly progress reports shall be submitted to EC technical representatives.

A meeting shall be conducted at the start of the project and another following the submission of the final draft report. The early meeting will introduce the study team to EC staff, raise any initial concerns or issues, and identify specific assistance that EC technical experts can offer.  The later meeting will include a full presentation of the study results, a review of key elements of the draft report, and responses to any related questions by EC.

It is assumed that all meetings will either be conducted by teleconference or held in Gatineau, Quebec if the contractor is located in the national capital region.  

	Task 2 – Data Collection 
The contractor, in direct consultation with EC and all integrated steel manufacturers in Canada, will identify the specific coke and coke by-products used by consuming industries in Canada and on that basis develop a representative sample of coker inputs and outputs that accounts for all types of commercial coke and coke by-products sold or supplied in Canada. 

The Contractor will then identify an appropriate data source and gather detailed information on carbon content of coke and coke by-products as detailed in the ”Guidelines” section below.

A combination of approaches to collect data from industry may be considered for use for example; conference call, mail or email surveys.  

	Task 3 – Combustion Emission Factor Development 
Using data collected and obtained in Task 2, including oxidation factor documentation, the Contractor must develop combustion CO2 emission factors for coke and coke by-products as detailed in the statement of guidelines below.

	Task 4 - Quantification of Uncertainties in the Emission Factors
In this task, the Contractor must compile uncertainty estimates for all data collected and emission factors developed using international standards such as the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National GHG Emissions Inventories (http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.html) procedures for combining data uncertainties in emission calculations and the aggregation of emission estimates. 
The contractor must, at a minimum, undertake a Tier 1 analysis will be undertaken and inputs shall be provided, as well as the results of the uncertainty study. All raw data used in this study must be provided to EC, except where delivering the data is precluded by confidentiality or proprietary-ownership restrictions.

	Task 5 - Preparation of Preliminary, Draft and Final Report
Any databases, spreadsheets and reports must be MS Office 2010 compatible and reports must also be provided in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. All graphics, charts and figures shall be embedded directly in the word-processing document wherever practical to do so. This will allow easy distribution and use of the document by e-mail.

At a minimum, the information requested above must be provided by the Contractor, but innovation and initiative by the candidate firms is encouraged.

GUIDELINES
Using data from direct measurement and collected via surveys by the contractor, and without limiting the scope of work, the Contractor shall follow the subsequent guidelines as they apply and as described herein:
1.	International Standards
The emission factors developed shall be prepared in accordance with the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National GHG Emissions Inventories (http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.html), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reporting guidelines Inventories (http://unfccc.int/national_reports/reporting_and_review_for_annex_i_parties/items/5689.php).

Notwithstanding this, it is recognized that some methodological refinements may be required to deal with specific data gaps and data quality issues that become apparent as the actual work is performed. All noteworthy assumptions and approximations shall be clearly documented.
2.	Breakdown of Coal Coke, Coke and Coke By-products
The Contractor should include any known significant sources not listed below. 

The types of coking coal, coke and coke by-products to be considered shall include, but not be limited to:
	
	Coking coal imported to or produced in Canada
	Coke produced by Canadian cokers and used or sold for combustion purposes.
	Coke imported into Canada and used for combustion purposes.
	Coke breeze produced by Canadian cokers and used or sold for combustion purposes.
	Coal Tar produced in or imported to Canada for any purpose.
3.	Quality Control / Quality Assurance
During the development of the inventory the Contractor shall undertake quality control checks in accordance with international guidelines such as that described in the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National GHG Emissions Inventories (http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.html). This will include efforts to minimize uncertainties in data and emission factors by focusing the budgeted resources on the areas of greatest potential contribution to uncertainty. 
4.	Report Preparation and Presentation
The contractor, having completed the tasks outlined in the statement of work, shall include a draft and final report (Deliverables #2 and #3) documenting, in detail, the methodology, assumptions, data sources, oxidation factors, emission factors, uncertainty estimates, references and QA/QC procedures used to produce all deliverables. The report shall include a table of contents, a list of figures, a list of tables, a general overview of the coke and coke by-products market in Canada, a glossary of key terms and acronyms, QA/QC and a complete bibliography. The report shall include an assessment of the completeness and accuracy of the data and emission factors. The report shall also include conclusions and recommendations for future improvements.

5.	Record Keeping
As part of record keeping activities the Contractor shall maintain, except where precluded by confidentiality or proprietary-ownership restrictions, all relevant inventory information, including all disaggregated emission factors, activity data, and documentation on how these factors and data were generated. This information shall be detailed and organized in a manner that will allow reconstruction of the work by independent third parties down to a level of disaggregation unaffected by access to information issues, and enable estimates of emissions to be traced back, where necessary, to the original disaggregated emission factors and activity data.
6.	Uncertainty
A quantitative assessment of the uncertainties in the emission factor(s) proposed shall be prepared in accordance with the approach specified in the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National GHG Emissions Inventories (http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/2006gl/index.html). This will include efforts to minimize uncertainties by focusing the budgeted resources on the areas of greatest potential contribution to this uncertainty. Facility operators will be asked to review preliminary data for their facilities and confirm agreement with them or provide corrections.
7.	Government Statistics
Any information required from government agencies or industry associations will be made available to the Contractor at no cost. In all cases, confidentiality of data must be respected by the contractor.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
All reports shall be written in English, and both draft and final reports shall be written in a clear and logical fashion and shall be submitted in a format compatible with Microsoft Word 2010. The consultant shall report all the sources of information. Key uncertainties should be identified and the source explained.

The tasks above are not necessarily exhaustive. The consultant is encouraged to provide any additional information discovered during the course of this work that is deemed relevant in fulfilling the objectives of this contract. 
SCHEDULE, DELIVERABLES & REPORTING FORMAT 
All deliverables and successful completion of the project are subject to the acceptance and/or approval of the project authority. Table 1 outlines the schedules, deliverables and formats required for completion of this contract.
Progress Updates
Throughout the duration of the contract, the Contractor shall advise the Scientific Authority via email or telephone, on a monthly basis, of the status of the work currently underway.  This may include the progress to date on the elements of the Statement of Work, any expected or unforeseen delays, challenges encountered, and ability to meet the timelines and schedule proposed.  
Teleconference Calls 
After each deliverable identified below in Table 1, a conference call will be arranged for the Contractor and the Departmental Representative to discuss the information provided and the questions and feedback provided by the Scientific Authority.  The teleconference call should occur within ten (10) calendar days of the delivery of a document.

Project Budget 

Environment Canada has established funding for this project at a maximum amount of $20,000 excluding GST/HST and covering the period from date of award to 31 March 2014 broken down as follows:


Deliverable Payment 

20% of the total professional fees will be paid following completion, delivery and acceptance of Deliverable #1.

40% of the total professional fees will be paid following completion, delivery and acceptance of Deliverable #2.

40% of the total professional fees will be paid following completion, delivery and acceptance of Deliverable #3.