 |
Re: Cummins ships first engine for rail market
Author: BOB2
Date: 10-06-2015 - 08:07
NOx emissions are a function of high diesel combustion temperatures that oxidize more nitrogen...... and then there is too much aromatic content in the fuel itself, which creates particulates. From a health standards perspective this is what creates the big emission problem with diesel. CO2 is largely a function of the carbon volumes in the fuels being oxidized, and most of these controls do little for CO2 emissions, as a greenhouse gas. These standards are about reducing the amount of harmful crap we breath, not about saving the planet.
To reduce NOx, temperature control and after treatment, are the two options that the OEM's are trying for large diesel. It is expensive and requires additives like urea. The recent Volkswagen scandal reveals the real and inherent difficulties in producing efficient diesel engines which can meet stringent emissions standards.
We cuuld improve the diesel fuel that is burned. And, we have, reducing particulates by a fair amount, and sulfur levels by a lot. But, while cleaner diesel is possible, it isn't cheap to do, adding significantly to the price of diesel to get to "cleaner" diesel 3, or even "ultra clean" diesel 4 standards.
This is why it has been so much easier to reach Tier 4 emission standards by using CNG for trucks..... with a lot less hassle, at a much lower cost. And, this is why you see more CNG refueling being deployed at truck stops across I-40 and I-10, as more and more truck fleets, including long distance fleets, are converting to CNG.
Natural gas, since it has less carbon content to begin with, is also much better for the planet, as well as for your lungs.
RR's can make this work for a while. We'll probably be dusting some off those old electrification studies again soon, though. It is the ultimate solution for combustion related choo-choo emissions, but it's not cheap. And, the US really has no system of tax incentives/investment credits to allow for this kind of long term environmental infrastructure investment.
As Kermit likes to say, "it ain't easy being green...."
To reduce NOx, temperature control and after treatment, are the two options that the OEM's are trying for large diesel. It is expensive and requires additives like urea. The recent Volkswagen scandal reveals the real and inherent difficulties in producing efficient diesel engines which can meet stringent emissions standards.
We cuuld improve the diesel fuel that is burned. And, we have, reducing particulates by a fair amount, and sulfur levels by a lot. But, while cleaner diesel is possible, it isn't cheap to do, adding significantly to the price of diesel to get to "cleaner" diesel 3, or even "ultra clean" diesel 4 standards.
This is why it has been so much easier to reach Tier 4 emission standards by using CNG for trucks..... with a lot less hassle, at a much lower cost. And, this is why you see more CNG refueling being deployed at truck stops across I-40 and I-10, as more and more truck fleets, including long distance fleets, are converting to CNG.
Natural gas, since it has less carbon content to begin with, is also much better for the planet, as well as for your lungs.
RR's can make this work for a while. We'll probably be dusting some off those old electrification studies again soon, though. It is the ultimate solution for combustion related choo-choo emissions, but it's not cheap. And, the US really has no system of tax incentives/investment credits to allow for this kind of long term environmental infrastructure investment.
As Kermit likes to say, "it ain't easy being green...."
