Tenneco Automotive previewed its exhaust after-treatment solutions for commercial vehicles during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky. Tenneco's diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and diesel particulate filters (DPF) will help OEMs meet tough new EPA emission standards, which first become effective in 2007 for on-highway diesel engines used in commercial vehicles.
These after-treatment technologies will help engine and vehicle manufacturers achieve nearly 90% reduction in emissions of fine particulate matter (PM) as mandated by the EPA beginning in 2007, and a similar reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) that will be phased in between 2007 and 2010.
“We are leveraging Tenneco's experience in diesel technologies and passenger car emission control to help our commercial vehicle customers meet these stringent new regulations,” said Lois Boyd, vice president and general manager, global commercial vehicle systems and specialty markets, Tenneco Automotive. “Our DPF and DOC technologies are highly effective, easily integrated into light commercial, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles and are cost efficient to our customers.”
Tenneco Automotive is working closely with several engine and vehicle manufacturers to develop and supply DOC and DPF systems which, combined with advances in engine design, will meet the new environmental requirements. Beginning in 2007, the new standard will reduce the PM limit from 0.1 to 0.01 grams per base horsepower per hour. The NOx limit will drop from the current 2.0 g/bhp-hr to 0.2 g/bhp-hr between 2007 and 2010.
The Tenneco after-treatment solution features DOC and DPF units located within the vehicle's exhaust system. A diesel oxidation catalyst, much like an automotive catalytic converter, uses precious metals to create a chemical reaction that breaks down pollutants into less harmful components. Tenneco's DOC technology helps convert harmful NOx into nitrogen dioxide (NO2) while oxidizing absorbed hydrocarbons. This chemical reaction also acts as a combustor for unburned fuel that is recirculated into the exhaust stream. These systems can be packaged to incorporate silencing devices, DPF, and other NOx abatement technologies for optimum efficiency.
The Tenneco Automotive DPF, located downstream of the DOC, captures ash and other fine particulate matter by compressing, filtering, and expanding the engine's exhaust gasses. These filter systems are temperature resistant and eliminate more than 95% of particulate matter from diesel emissions.