The Diesel Technology Forum is launching a 10-part video series highlighting the research, development and strategies used by leaders in clean diesel technology to produce near-zero emissions in new off-road engines and equipment.
The video series includes interviews with technology and business executives conducted at the recent 2014 CONEXPO CON/AGG convention in Las Vegas – the international gathering of more than 2,400 companies that attracted more than 125,000 visitors.
“This year marks a new era for construction, farm and other off-road diesel engines and equipment that are the essential tools to key sectors of our economy,” said Allen Schaeffer, the executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum (www.dieselforum.org). “Manufacturers have met the challenge from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to virtually eliminate emissions of particulate matter (PM), or soot, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the fourth generation, or so-called Tier 4 Final emissions standards.
“There is no better example of innovation and achievement in clean, fuel-efficient technology than what is now available from diesel engine and equipment makers. Not only is the new generation of clean diesel technology 90 percent lower in emissions of PM and NOx compared to 1996 engines, but it also provides the customer with advantages in the form of greater productivity and better fuel efficiency. This is truly amazing considering the vast numbers of types and sizes of machines and equipment that utilize this new advanced technology,” Schaeffer said.
Featured This Week: Cummins
In this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYRXNTfDhTI&feature=youtu.be), Jennifer Rumsey, the vice president of engineering for Cummins Engine Business, explains how Cummins developed its diesel engine technology through the Tier 4 Interim and Tier 4 Final stages to develop near zero emissions products. This included adding new components like a common rail high pressure fuel system for particulate control, exhaust gas recirculation, a variable-geometry turbocharger, a particulate filter, and the Selective Catalytic Reduction.
“The benefits that we see with our Tier 4 Final technologies are really about fuel efficiency and air quality,” Rumsey said.
Diesel Power Is Dominant In Off-Road Equipment
The new diesel technology is especially important because diesel is the dominant power source in agriculture, mining and construction – key sectors in the U.S economy including:
- Over 60 percent of mining and fuel production equipment is diesel-powered. The U.S. gets 93 percent of its energy from mined sources, such as petroleum, natural gas, coal and uranium.
- Diesel is the dominant power source in the U.S. agricultural sector which provides a total added value to the U.S. economy of $365 billion and two million jobs.
- Diesel is the dominant fuel source, powering 60 percent of construction equipment and using 98 percent of all energy.
DTF Tier 4 Video Series
- Other DTF videos related to Tier 4 research and development include:
- Learn more about Tier 4 Clean Diesel Technology and Innovation
- Learn more about Tier 4 Clean Diesel Technology Benefits to Contractors and Clean Air
- See all the videos and learn more at www.dieselforum.org/tier4
Upcoming videos will feature other strategies in achieving the Tier 4 standards for other leading manufacturers including Bosch, CASE Construction Equipment, Caterpillar, Deere and Company, FPT Industrial, Isuzu, Johnson Matthey, MTU America, Volvo Powertrain and Yanmar.
