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Clean Diesel chief: SCR technology ‘game changer’ in lowering emissions, saving fuel

CHICAGO, Ill. — The growing acceptance and adoption of clean diesel systems utilizing selective catalytic reduction systems (SCR) technology is having a positive impact on reducing emissions and increasing fuel efficiency across the board from passenger cars to the largest marine and rail engines, according to Allen Schaeffer, the executive director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

Schaeffer made his comments Tuesday at the 7th Integer Emissions Summit USA organized by Integer Research in Chicago.  The Diesel Technology Forum is also exhibiting at the conference, which runs from Oct. 28-30.

“SCR-based systems are helping manufacturers balance the competing goals of lower emissions and increased fuel efficiency,” Schaeffer said during his presentation. “They are a ‘game-changer’ that helps ensure that clean diesel power is the technology of choice for the foreseeable future.”

In commenting about the 250,000 new commercial heavy-duty trucks sold in 2014, Schaeffer noted that the overwhelming majority — more than 95 percent — are powered by clean diesel technology utilizing SCR system technology.

In addition, more than one-third of all commercial trucks (Class 3-8) on the road today in the U.S. are using the first-generation new clean diesel technology and nearly 16 percent of all registered commercial trucks are using the latest generation technology featuring SCR technology, Schaeffer said.

An increasing number of engines, vehicles and equipment are utilizing SCR, and the systems are performing as designed and helping to slash the diesel fuel costs for truckers and others using the new generation of clean diesel, he said.

“In just about five months, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will issue what is already a closely-watched proposal that will establish higher fuel efficiency requirements from commercial trucks in the years ahead,” Schaeffer said.  “This will be a main subject of conversation in the months ahead and we look forward to this open dialogue and discussion.”

The 7th Integer Emissions Summit USA promotes discussion on profitable and fuel efficient emissions reduction across on and off-road sectors in North America. Attendees and speakers include senior executives from government bodies, engine and vehicle manufacturers, aftertreatment technology suppliers, DEF producers and distributors and key media and industry associations.

SCR is an advanced active emissions control technology system that injects a liquid-reductant agent through a special catalyst into the exhaust stream of a diesel engine. The reductant source is usually automotive-grade urea, otherwise known as diesel exhaust fluid or DEF. The DEF sets off a chemical reaction that converts nitrogen oxides into nitrogen, water and tiny amounts of carbon dioxide (CO²), natural components of the air, which is then expelled through the vehicle tailpipe.

SCR technology is designed to permit nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction reactions to take place in an oxidizing atmosphere. It is called "selective" because it reduces levels of NOx using ammonia as a reductant within a catalyst system.

The chemical reaction is known as "reduction" where the DEF is the reducing agent that reacts with NOx to convert the pollutants into nitrogen, water and tiny amounts of CO². The DEF can be rapidly broken down to produce the oxidizing ammonia in the exhaust stream. SCR technology alone can achieve NOx reductions up to 90 percent.

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