Bio-DME trucks from Volvo taking part in field tests
In 2010, Volvo Trucks will start conducting field tests involving Bio-DME. This is a biofuel that generates very low carbon dioxide emissions. In the long term, it has the potential to replace 50% of diesel used for transport operations in Europe.
The field test is being made possible through a broad-based joint project involving, among others, the European Union, the Swedish Energy Agency, fuel companies, and the transport industry. The aim is to assess the potential of DME (Di-Methyl-Ether) as a vehicle fuel.
DME produced from biomass, known as Bio-DME, has both high energy efficiency and low greenhouse gas emissions all the way from the source to the wheel. The raw material used is black liquor, an energy-rich, highly viscous by-product of the pulp industry. With Bio-DME instead of diesel as a fuel, carbon dioxide emissions are cut by 95%.
Volvo Trucks is participating in the project by contributing 14 Volvo FH trucks that will be tested by selected customers at four locations in different parts of Sweden between 2010 and 2012. Fuel company Preem will build filling stations so the trucks can be used in regular regional and local operations. The first field-test truck was unveiled recently in Piteå, where the production of Bio-DME will take place.
Volvo's DME truck uses a regular D13 engine which, after some modifications to the tank system, injection system and engine management software, functions perfectly together with the biofuel.
Shell Lubricants Emissions Symposium focus: EPA 2010
The EPA 2010 emissions regulations affecting heavy-duty, on-highway diesel engines will become effective soon. The Shell Lubricants 2010 Emissions Symposium will tour 10 cities in September and October 2009. Shell experts will present and discuss the various new emission control technologies, equipment changes, lubricants, and coolants.
This symposium is appropriate for fleet professionals, including fleet owners, maintenance managers, service managers, and those responsible for equipment operation and maintenance. During the Shell Technology Tour, Shell Lubricants distributors and sales representatives will be on hand to interact with attendees and address any questions.
Fleet professionals wishing to attend the symposium may register at www.ShellES2010.com. To request additional information, e-mail Shell Lubricants at [email protected].
The symposium will visit these cities:
- Sept 22, Atlanta GA
- Sept 24, Nashville TN
- Sept 29, Newark NJ
- Oct 1, Philadelphia PA
- Oct 6, Indianapolis IN
- Oct 8, Chicago IL
- Oct 13, Dallas TX
- Oct 15, Houston TX
- Oct 20, Los Angeles CA
- Oct 22, Seattle WA
Volvo Trucks tells DC it's ready for the 2010 diesel engine rollout
Volvo Trucks North America discussed readiness for the EPA2010 emissions regulations with lawmakers and regulators September 29 in Washington DC at the “Clean Diesel Power: Ready for Tomorrow, Working Today” event held by the Diesel Technology Forum. Volvo Trucks' emissions technology will result in near-zero emissions and reduced carbon dioxide output.
An EPA'10-compliant Volvo VN was on display at the event. Volvo Trucks is already building EPA'10 trucks for customers on its production line in the New River Valley Plant, Dublin VA, for delivery later in 2009. The company will use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to meet the new emissions standards. SCR-equipped Volvo trucks have been in customer test fleets in North America for two years now, and have accumulated billions of miles of real-world operation in other markets.
Besides reducing emissions to near-zero levels, SCR improves fuel economy and reduces operational costs. Volvo's SCR technology also eliminates diesel particulate filter (DPF) active regenerations for EPA'10 in normal operations, which reduces the need for operator interaction with the emissions control system. Volvo Trucks' “No Regen” engine and SCR improve fuel economy and reduce the carbon footprint.
For further information, visit www.volvotrucks.us.com/.
Clean Diesel licenses ARIS to Eaton Corp
Clean Diesel Technologies Inc. and Eaton Corporation have entered into a global non-exclusive licensing agreement. Under the agreement, Eaton will use Clean Diesel's patented Advanced Reagent Injector System (ARIS) technology for injection of hydrocarbon fuel in emissions reduction applications, including Eaton's Aftertreatment System. This technology can also be applied to regeneration of diesel particulate filters and lean nitrogen oxide (NOx) traps in various global applications.
Both Eaton's aftertreatment and fuel dosing systems have worldwide application for reducing NOx and particulate matter (PM) emissions from diesel engines. Eaton is targeting NOx and PM control technologies for production in 2011 and beyond in various applications.
Eaton's Aftertreatment System does not require the use of additional urea for NOx reduction. It is an integrated system that effectively meets the EPA and international regulation requirements without the on-vehicle storage, replenishment, and infrastructure a urea-based system requires. For example, EPA regulations require that all new 2010 on-road engines comply with increasingly strict NOx and PM standards.
Clean Diesel's ARIS technology is designed for use in all types of combustion engines. Its key advantages include the use of a single emissions reduction fluid to provide injector cooling and the fact that it is easier to manufacture, install, and operate than compressed air systems.
Daimler announces pricing for emissions technologies
Daimler Trucks North America announced pricing for meeting EPA2010 standards with its Detroit Diesel BlueTec or Cummins mid-range engine emissions technologies.
Emissions technology surcharges for vehicles equipped with Detroit Diesel DD15 and DD16 big-bore engines, as well as the medium-bore DD13, will be $9,000 per vehicle. A surcharge of $7,300 will be added to vehicles equipped with the Cummins ISC8.3 engine, and a $6,700 surcharge will be added to the price of vehicles equipped with Cummins ISB6.7 engines. The surcharges reflect costs associated with adding selective catalytic reduction (SCR).
SCR is an emissions technology that treats nitrogen oxide emissions downstream in the exhaust so the engine can be tuned to run more efficiently and economically. SCR technology consists of an aftertreatment catalyst system that allows engine exhaust to be treated with a non-hazardous fluid known as diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) that reduces harmful NOx into simple nitrogen and water.
Mark Lampert, senior vice-president of sales for Daimler Trucks North America, said, “Customers are reporting up to a 5% increase in miles per gallon with BlueTec-equipped EPA2010 test engines hauling freight today.”
Detroit Diesel BlueTec fuel efficiencies are the result of three optimization factors: base engine-out NOx levels, diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration intervals, and exhaust backpressure. In addition, reduced reliance on exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) lowers heat rejection which means no expansion of cooling capacity and no resulting impact on aerodynamics or underhood packaging.
Daimler Trucks North America will offer a choice in engines and emissions technologies from Detroit Diesel and Cummins.
Freightliner extends Slice of Life program
With almost one year down and hundreds of thousands of miles logged, the Freightliner Trucks “Slice of Life” drivers have put their Detroit Diesel DD15-equipped 2009 Cascadia trucks to good use.
Because of the popularity of the Slice of Life program and the positive response from the three participants — Dick McCorkle, Henry Albert, and Kurt Grote — Freightliner Trucks has extended the program with the addition of Detroit Diesel's BlueTec SCR emissions technology.
In the second phase of the Slice of Life program, Albert, Grote, and McCorkle will each receive a new Cascadia equipped with BlueTec SCR-equipped DD15 engines.
BlueTec — Daimler's emissions technology — was selected by Detroit Diesel in 2005 to meet the upcoming EPA 2010 emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks.
The Slice of Life drivers have scheduled appearances at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville KY (March 25-27, 2010).
For more information, go to www.SliceofTruckerLife.com.
Cummins reaffirms readiness for 2010
Cummins Inc. has reaffirmed that its entire on-highway product range, including its ISX, will be ready to meet the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations for the North American market beginning in 2010. The company will offer a range of engines from the 6.7-liter ISB to the 15-liter ISX.
For 2010, Cummins will introduce the ISX15, which will provide substantial fuel economy improvement, stronger performance, faster throttle response, and overall best-in-class drivability and reliability. The ISX15 will feature the new XPI fuel system, cooled EGR system, advanced VGT turbocharger, and a new Cummins Aftertreatment System that incorporates Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst technology.
Cummins will also introduce the new ISX11.9, providing a compact and lightweight medium-bore engine ideal for vocational trucks, emergency vehicles, and motorcoach applications. The ISX11.9 will have common subsystems with the ISX15, including the XPI fuel system, VGT turbocharger, Cummins Aftertreatment System, and electronic controls.
The firm will also offer its ISB6.7, ISC8.3, and ISL9 engines for 2010. Cummins MidRange engines deliver best-in-class fuel economy and reliability with high power-to-weight ratios. The 2010 engines will all use Cummins VGT turbocharger, Cummins Aftertreatment System, a common ECM, and advanced electronic controls. TheISC8.3 and ISL9 also feature the Cummins XPI fuel system.
Detroit Diesel applies to EPA for DD13, DD15 certification
Having recently completed more than 25 million miles of testing with its BlueTec emissions control system, Detroit Diesel Corporation has filed applications with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resource Board (CARB) for 2010 certification of Detroit Diesel DD13 and DD15 engines with BlueTec emissions control systems. The company will apply for DD16 certification later in October.
The applications submitted by Detroit Diesel provide the EPA and CARB with test results and documentation required to validate that the engine systems are in compliance with new 2010 emissions standards set by the EPA in December 2000 and CARB in October 2001. The US standards for 2010 are the most stringent emissions standards in the world, and reduce two of the most detrimental pollutants, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter, to near-zero levels at the tailpipe.
Detroit Diesel chose selective catalytic reduction (SCR) as the primary technology to meet the EPA 2010 emissions regulations. SCR has proven to be an effective means to reduce NOx emissions and the only proven technology for meeting the EPA 2010 standards as measured at the tailpipe.
Hino Trucks announces pricing for SCR technology
As previously announced, Hino Trucks has elected to use Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to meet the 2010 emissions regulations. Hino will implement an emissions surcharge of $6,700 per vehicle.
The infrastructure to efficiently distribute Diesel Exhaust Fluid in the United States is rapidly being established. DEF will be available through all 176 Hino dealers. In addition, a coalition of industries — including truck manufacturers, truck stops, retail fueling stations, fuel distributors, and DEF producers — will have established bulk DEF filling stations across North America.
Hino created a new web microsite, www.hinoscr.com, that is dedicated to explaining how the firm has developed technology to meet or exceed the 2010 guidelines and what that means to Hino owners. A page provides answers to the most frequently asked questions about SCR and DEF.
The firm also has scheduled a series of 2011 model year launch events for its dealers beginning the first week in December 2009. During these launch events, the national dealer network will test-drive and learn about Hino's new 2011 product strategy and technologies.
DTNA adds $9,000 surcharge for ISX15 engine, technology
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) will offer customers their choice in EPA 2010-compliant engines and emissions technologies from both Detroit Diesel and Cummins. A $9,000 surcharge will be added to vehicles with Cummins ISX15 engine and emissions technology.
As previously announced August 8, 2009, vehicles equipped with Detroit Diesel BlueTec emissions technology and DD15 and DD16 big-bore engines, as well as the mid-bore DD13, will be offered at the same $9,000 surcharge per vehicle. A surcharge of $7,300 will be added for the Cummins ISC8.3 engine, and $6,700 will be added to the price of vehicles equipped with Cummins ISB6.7 engines.
The surcharges reflect costs associated with adding selective catalytic reduction (SCR), which has been proven to improve fuel economy compared with EPA 2007 engines while reducing long-term operating costs and meeting emission standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that take effect January 1, 2010.
SCR is an emissions technology that treats nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions downstream in the exhaust so the engine can be tuned to run more efficiently and economically. SCR technology consists of an aftertreatment catalyst system that allows engine exhaust to be treated with a non-hazardous fluid known as diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) that reduces harmful NOx into simple nitrogen and water.
Terra Industries subsidiary launches new website
Terra Industries Inc announced that Terra Environmental Technologies Inc (TET), a wholly owned Terra subsidiary, has launched a new website at www.tet-terra.com. The website features content tailored to two distinct customer types:
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Mobile customers, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), dealers, fleets, owner-operators, and truck stops. TET has built an infrastructure with distribution and packaging partners to supply these customers with TerraCair Ultrapure Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), a liquid urea product that has been quality-certified by the American Petroleum Institute. TerraCair Ultrapure DEF will be used in conjunction with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to achieve emission reduction requirements that take effect on all diesel equipment introduced in 2010 and beyond.
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Stationary customers, including power plants, large industrial applications, and stationary diesel-powered engines that use various nitrogen oxide-reducing reagents such as anhydrous and aqueous ammonia, urea, and urea liquor in SCR and selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) systems.
The site provides details on TET's full range of products and services.