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Technology
There are multiple strategies and technologies that are available to accomplish our goal of affecting one million engines in the Midwest. Some of these are highlighted below.
Technologies and Strategies:
- Fuel Efficiency Technologies:
Technologies are available to provide overall energy savings as well
as emission reductions through:
- idling management equipment (PDF) (1 page, 152 KB About PDF)
- single wide-based tires (PDF) (1 page, 155 KB About PDF)
- automatic tire inflation systems (PDF) (1 page, 152 KB About PDF)
- weight reduction (PDF) (1 page, 151 KB About PDF)
- low viscosity lubricants (PDF) (1 page, 150 KB About PDF)
- hybrid powertrain technology (PDF) (1 page, 155 KB About PDF)
- aerodynamic
accessories (PDF) (1 page, 152 KB About
PDF).
- Operational
Strategies
- In addition, there are operational efficiency strategies which can
be implemented at locations including:
- idle management programs and transportation efficiency.
- These also would include driver training (PDF) (1 page, 101 KB About PDF)
- Reducing highway speed (PDF) (1 page, 153 KB About PDF)
- Improved freight logistics (PDF) (1 page, 151 KB About PDF)
- These strategies could reduce truck waiting
time for cargo delivery and pick-up. A consideration
for long-distance shipping efficiency also may include intermodal
shipping (PDF) (1 page, 152 KB About
PDF).
- Refuel -
The use of advanced
diesel
fuels such as ultra-low
sulfur diesel (ULSD).
- water emulsions, biodiesel (PDF) (2pgs., 71 KB About PDF)
- liquid petroleum gas (LPG) (PDF) (2pgs., 71 KB About PDF)
- Compressed natural gas (CNG) (PDF) (2pgs., 75 KB About PDF) and others can lower emissions with or without the addition of other emission-control devices.
- Repair/Rebuild - Regular engine maintenance plays
a critical role in ensuring proper engine performance. Engine rebuilding
can significantly lower emissions in some cases.
- Replace - Replacing entire vehicles or equipment
may be the best, most cost-effective option for some of the oldest engines.
The replacement engine may not necessarily be a conventional, newer
and cleaner diesel engine, but could be an electric or hybrid engine.
- Retrofiting Technologies for Emission Reductions - The installation of exhaust after-treatment technologies such as particulate filters (PDF) (4pgs., 101KB About PDF), oxidation catalysts (PDF) (2pgs., 99 KB About PDF), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices and NOx catalysts can reduce emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx). EPA has developed the National Clean Diesel Campaign to encourage fleet owners and operators to reduce emissions from diesel engines today. There are technologies and fuels that can be implemented to reduce diesel emissions. EPA maintains a Technology Verification program so that manufacturers can introduce verified technologies to the market as cost-effectively as possible, while providing customers with confidence that verified technologies will provide emission reductions as advertised. This verification process evaluates the emission reduction performance of retrofit technologies, including their durability, and identifies engine operating criteria and conditions that must exist for these technologies to achieve those reductions.
EPA's Technology Verification program has a Verified Products Web site which discusses all the diesel retrofit products that have been approved for use in engine retrofit programs. Information is provided by manufacturer, including background on retrofit kits and the potential compatibility issues. Site provides the percent reduction (of verified or tested levels) that EPA will recognize for emission reductions within state air quality plans.