Research Highlights
ETV Verifies Diesel Emission ControlsPodcastsListen to or download the podcast to learn more about how NRMRL research helps to support the protection of human health and the environment. BackgroundDiesel engines in trucks and buses are popular because they are durable and provide good fuel economy. But they are a serious environmental challenge because the more than 11 million diesel-powered vehicles currently on U.S. highways emit significant quantities of air pollutants. Diesel emissions contribute to ozone levels that prevent many communities from meeting national minimum standards for ambient air quality, and contribute to forestry and crop losses. Further, the particulate matter in diesel exhaust is linked to many respiratory and cardiovascular diseases; EPA has determined that diesel exhaust including particulate matter is a likely carcinogen. Private-sector developers have responded with a variety of innovative retrofit technologies for trucks, buses, and non-road equipment. To assist with its entry into the marketplace, the ETV program, in cooperation with its Air Pollution Control Technology Center, is providing independent, quality-assured data on the performance of some of these technologies. They involve three basic approaches, Exhaust Treatments, Retrofit Fuels, and Crankcase Filtration Systems. Exhaust Treatments
Retrofit Fuels Crankcase filtration systems work by capturing the “blowby” (unburned) diesel gases and removing their particulate matter through the use of filters before routing them to the engine intake. The goal of the ETV diesel retrofit testing is to determine the percent of emission reduction achieved for particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide, compared to the percent emissions of the same engine without the retrofit technology. ETV does not verify performance claims. Rather, it provides a credible, highly quality-assured data set on technology performance, which is “verified” to be correct. It is then up to others to evaluate the vendor/manufacturer’s claim in light of the data. For example, a diesel retrofit vendor would probably take its data set to the National Clean Diesel Campaign, sponsored by the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality, for review and posting to its verified technology list. In addition to the verification reports and statements, the ETV process also includes the development of test/quality assurance plans, and verification protocols (uniform testing for a specific category of technologies). Selected OutcomesThe ETV diesel retrofit program calculated some potential environmental benefits based on adoption of the tested technologies at selected market penetration rates. Using EPA’s regulatory impact analysis data for diesel fuel sulfur control requirements,* and assuming 10 percent market penetration of the first seven verified diesel retrofit technologies, the following outcomes can be calculated over a seven-year period:
A full reporting of outcomes, actual and projected, can be found in Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program Case Studies, Demonstrating Program Outcomes (PDF) (117 pp, 3 MB) (EPA/600/R-06/001) which is on the ETV Outcomes Web page. *EPA Regulatory Impact Analysis: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards and Highway Diesel Fuel Sulfur Control Requirements (EPA/420/R-00/026), December 2000 ContactJane Ice, NRMRL Office of Public Affairs (513) 569-7311 Hot off the Presses—NRMRL PublicationsBaldauf, R., E. Thoma, A. Khlystov, V. Isakov, G. Bowker, T. Long and R. Snow. (2008). “Impacts of Noise Barriers on Near-Road Air Quality.” Atmospheric Environment, 42, 32: 7502–7507. Gopal Devulapelli, V. and E. Sahle-Demessie. (2008). “Catalytic Oxidation of Dimethyl Sulfide With Ozone: Effects of Promoter and Physico-Chemical Properties of Metal Oxide Catalysts.” Applied Catalysis A: General, 348, 1: 86–93. Hayes, S.L., M. Sivaganesan, K.M. White and S.L. Pfaller. (2008). “Assessing the Effectiveness of Low-Pressure Ultraviolet Light for Inactivating Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Micro-Organisms.” Letters in Applied Microbiology, 47, 5: 386–392. He, Y.T., J.T. Wilson and R.T. Wilkin. (2008). “Transformation of Reactive Iron Minerals in a Permeable Reactive Barrier (Biowall) Used to Treat TCE in Groundwater.” Environmental Science and Technology, 42, 17: 6690–6696. Hutson, N.D. and B. Attwood. (2008). “Binding of Vapour-Phase Mercury (Hg0) on Chemically Treated Bauxite Residues (Red Mud).” Environmental Chemistry, 5, 4: 281–288. Saleh, R., J. Walker, Jr. and A. Khlystov. (2008). “Determination of Saturation Pressure and Enthalpy of Vaporization of Semi-Volatile Aerosols: The Integrated Volume Mentod.” Journal of Aerosol Science, 39, 10: 876–887. EPA Reports and ResourcesDemonstration of Steam Injection/Extraction Treatment of a DNAPL Source Zone at Launch Complex 34 in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Final Innovative Technology Evaluation Report (PDF) (121 pp, 8.46 MB) (EPA/540/R-08/005a) September 2008 – Abstract The Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation Program, Annual Report to Congress, FY 2004 (PDF) (83 pp, 4.10 MB) (EPA/540/R-08/006) September 2008 – Abstract Measuring Contaminant Resuspension Resulting from Sediment Capping (PDF) (8 pp, 1.02 MB) (EPA/600/S-08/013) August 2008 Determination of Rates and Extent of Dechlorination in PCB-Contaminated Sediments During Monitored Natural Recovery (PDF) (8 pp, 786 KB) (EPA/600/S-08/012) August 2008 Demonstration of Resistive Heating Treatment of DNAPL Source Zone at Launch Complex 34 in Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, Final Innovative Technology Evaluation Report (PDF) (133 pp, 10.42 MB) (EPA/540/R-08/004) August 2008 – Abstract Arsenic Removal from Drinking Water by Adsorptive Media, U.S. EPA Demonstration Project at Wellman, TX, Six-Month Evaluation Report (PDF) (57 pp, 2.10 MB) (EPA/600/R-08/080) July 2008 – Abstract Characterization of Coal Combustion Residues from Electric Utilities Using Wet Scrubbers for Multi-Pollutant Control (PDF) (113 pp, 1.94 MB) (EPA/600/R-08/077) July 2008 – Abstract EPA Drinking Water Treatability Database (EPA/600/C-08/007), 2008. You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. |