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Five test projects are now underway at laboratories across the country to determine the best combinations of low-sulfur diesel fuels, lubricants, diesel engines, and emission control systems to meet projected emission standards for the 2007 to 2010 time period. Researchers are also studying the properties of fuels and vehicle systems that could lead to even lower emissions beyond 2010.
The five projects, which are part of the Advanced Petroleum Based Fuels-Diesel Emissions Control (APBF–DEC) project, now being tested are: (1) selective catalytic reduction/diesel particle filter (SCR/DPF) technologies, fuels, and engines; (2, 3, 4) NOx adsorber catalyst/DPF technologies, fuels, and engines in a passenger car, a light-duty truck/SUV, and a heavy-duty engine; and (5) the effects of lubricant formulations on the performance and durability of advanced diesel emission control systems. Major tasks include developing the test cells and installing test engines, optimizing the systems to reduce emissions, conducting engine durability tests, and determining the effects of various sulfur levels in diesel fuel on regulated and unregulated emissions.
The project studies are designed to provide timely information to government and industry as new technologies are developed and deployed throughout this decade. Fuels tested included the base fuel (0.6-ppm sulfur content), 8-, 15-, and 30-ppm sulfur content refinery fuel. As the tests proceed, APBF–DEC is providing interim data, objective analyses, and ongoing results of the effects of various fuel and lubricant properties on the emissions and performance of advanced automotive and heavy-duty vehicle systems.
For more information, see the Publications and Presentations page.
Meeting future emission standards
The APBF–DEC tests are timely because of the stricter emission standards mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Between 2004 and 2009, lower emission standards will be phased in for passenger cars and light-duty trucks. For diesel-powered vehicles to comply with these standards, catalytic emission control systems will be required. EPA has also set new emission standards for heavy-duty engines, which will go into effect in 2007, and a standard for the sulfur content in highway diesel fuel slated to go into effect in 2006. These standards (for emissions of particulate matter [PM] and nitrogen oxides [NOx]) will require catalytic emission control systems on heavy-duty vehicles.
APBF–DEC's mission. The APBF–DEC mission is to:
Identify optimal combinations of fuels, lubricants, diesel engines, and emission control systems to:
- Meet projected emission standards during the period 2000 to 2010 while maintaining continuous improvement in engine efficiency and durability.
- Maintain customer satisfaction with vehicle performance.
- Provide the basis for economical transport of people and goods.
- Meet additional potential constraints (e.g., emissions of presently unregulated substances, including ultra-fine particulate matter and greenhouse gases).
- Explore the potential, beyond 2010, to achieve even lower emissions of regulated pollutants (e.g., PM, NOx, hydrocarbons [HC]), and presently unregulated substances.
Summary of APBF-DEC Test Projects
Technologies |
Test Lab |
Engines/
Systems |
Test Objectives |
2 types of integrated SCR/DPF emission control systems |
Sub-contractor
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) |
2 heavy-duty Caterpillar C12 engines, 12L SCR catalysts with DPFs |
Demonstrate the low emissions possible by using the SCR/DPF technologies and evaluate the sensitivity of emission controls to fuel variables; determine the regulated and unregulated emissions with and without emission controls; examine the durability of emission control systems; determine toxic and unregulated emission levels. |
NOx adsorber/DPF
3 separate test projects |
3 Sub-contractors
FEV Technology, Inc.
SwRI
Ricardo, Inc. |
3 Engines
Passenger car 1.9L TDI engine
1 light-duty truck engine, Duramax 6.6L engine
Heavy-duty, 15L Cummins ISX, DOHC engine
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Demonstrate the potential to achieve stringent emission reductions from diesel engines using a system of the engine, fuel, NOx adsorber, DPF, and thermal management technologies; set up and optimize each system; measure regulated and unregulated emissions using fuel with all four sulfur levels; evaluate the systems' performance; determine the long-term performance and durability; examine the effects of fuel properties (other than sulfur) on the systems. |
Lubricants |
Sub-contractor
Automotive Testing Laboratory (ATL) |
International T444E engine |
Evaluate the effects of lubricant formulations (basestocks and additives) on the performance and durability of advanced diesel emission control systems; determine the effects (if any) of lubricants on sulfur levels in engine exhaust systems. |
The DECSE project was a joint effort of DOE, two national laboratories, and manufacturers of heavy-duty compression ignition engines and emission control systems. Researchers conducted tests to determine the effects of various levels of fuel sulfur on emission exhaust control systems to lower (NOx) and PM from diesel vehicles.
This project is no longer active.
For more information see our Publications and Presentations page.
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