Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) appears it will become the leading method to reduce diesel emissions on heavy duty trucks. Before any technology will work, a supporting infrastructure must be in place and unless truck companies agree on which technology will be used, installing the support can be risky. Now, in a major move forward, executives from the leading truck companies have agreed on SCR as the one they will adopt.
SCR injects a small amount of fluid into diesel exhaust converting nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water. The fluid is kept in a separate tank and needs to be refilled, on Class 8 trucks, that can be every 2000 to 4000 miles. In order for the technology to be used, the fluid has to be available at refueling stations across the country and this distribution network is now in the planning stages.
Press release:
New Nationwide SCR Supply Chain to Include: Truckstops, Diesel Exhaust Fluid Manufacturers and Distributors and Dispensing Equipment Manufacturers
Leading truck industry executives committed to using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to meet the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards set for 2010 hosted a day-long, cross-functional and cross-industry infrastructure development workshop last week in concert with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Diesel Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) Conference.
Outcomes of the event include identification of needs and next steps toward building a tailored distribution network for supplying diesel exhaust fluid for the new fuel efficient, reduced emissions, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology-equipped Class 8 heavy duty trucks rolling into the market over the next few years. Workshop hosts included:
* Daimler Trucks North America
* Detroit Diesel Corporation
* Mack Trucks, Inc.
* Paccar, Inc.
* Volvo Trucks North America
SCR Emissions Control Technology
Recognized worldwide as one of the most effective emissions control technologies, SCR is one of the most promising technologies to deliver clean diesel power that meets the strict EPA emissions regulations for Class 8 heavy duty trucks. Already used by more than 500,000 heavy duty trucks in Europe, SCR technology reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx), one of the criteria pollutants identified by the EPA’s emissions standards, to near-zero levels through catalytic chemical reactions enabled by the diesel exhaust fluid.
The new SCR-equipped heavy duty trucks require small quantities of diesel exhaust fluid injected into the exhaust stream. Working in combination with the SCR system, the diesel exhaust fluid reduces exhaust to nitrogen and water – natural elements in the air we breathe.
In addition to improved air quality and benefits to public health, Class 8 truck SCR systems allow for optimized engine performance across many applications. The optimization of engine performance improves truck fuel efficiency, and results in potential fuel savings which will help to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources of oil. The improved fuel economy also results in reduced CO2 emissions.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid Distribution Network
One important requirement of operating the SCR system is refilling diesel exhaust fluid which is kept in a separate storage tank on the vehicle. For Class 8 trucks that commonly travel long distances, refilling may be needed every other fuel fill, or every 2,000 – 4,000 miles, depending on load weights and applications. Thus, it is necessary to create a nationwide diesel exhaust fluid distribution network to meet the specific needs of the Class 8 commercial transport industry. Building that network requires commitment from a coalition of companies and industry task forces, some of whom have not worked with the trucking and transportation sector.
Discussion at the conference centered on topics specific to Class 8 truck needs, including:
* Standardization – of equipment, packaging, storage, handling, placement, size & labeling
* Regulations – addressing the information needs of regulatory entities per industry sector
* Availability/Demand – review of the scale, flexibility and time horizons needed to ramp up
* Communications & Education – bringing information to the public, industry sectors, fleets, owner/operators and drivers
More than 60 representatives from various companies across the industry sectors participated in the infrastructure workshop. The participating companies included:
* Truck & Engine Manufacturers – Daimler Trucks North America, Detroit Diesel Corporation, Mack Trucks, Inc., Paccar, Inc. and Volvo Trucks North America
* Diesel Exhaust Fluid Producers – Agrium, CF Industries, Dyno Nobel, Potash Corp, Terra Industries and Yara International
* Packaging and Distribution – AirBlueFluids/CDI/Kruse KG, Brenntag North America, Colonial Chemical and Excelda
* Dispenser Equipment & Service – Balcrank, Benecor, Dresser Wayne, EZ Fuel, Gibarco Veeder-Root, Oscar W. Larson and R.W. Mercer Co.
* Truck Stops – Flying J, Travel Centers of America and Petro Stopping Centers (Participating but not able to attend: Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores and Pilot Travel Centers)