Old Cats, New Tricks

Caterpillar introduced its “Clean Power” engine line and recalibrations of existing engines in a major effort to reduce diesel engine emissions. The new engines are promised to deliver significantly lower emissions levels than the Environmental Protection Agency currently allows, without sacrificing performance, fuel economy, driveability or serviceability, the company says.

Incorporating Cat’s latest fuel injection, combustion, electronics, and air systems technology, the Clean Power line includes the already launched 3126E version which debuted in the spring. This is now complemented by the C-10, C-12, C-15, and
C-16 Clean Power models, offering up to 8% less NOx than their predecessors, says Caterpillar. The engines will be available in an array of ratings from 175 hp to 330 hp for the medium-duty 3126, and 355 hp to 600 hp for heavy-duty C-10 through C-16.

The new electronic calibrations, meanwhile, will reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by as much as 7%, the company says. They are available on most 1993 to 1998 Caterpillar heavy-duty and mid-range truck engines. “The new calibrations will greatly reduce NOx emissions from current in-service engines, but will in no way affect performance, reliability or fuel economy,” says David Semlow, marketing manager at Caterpillar’s truck engine group. The simple recalibration can be performed at any Caterpillar authorized dealer.

Ramping Up for 2002

While the Clean Power engines use the latest combustion and control technologies, they do not, as yet, feature the emissions control strategy Caterpillar is developing as its Advanced Combustion Emissions Reduction Technology (ACERT). The highly guarded system is due to be rolled out in Cat engines in 2003.

Other makers are on track to meet the next emissions deadline set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Transport Canada: October 2002. Among the most recent developments:

Volvo Details EGR Strategy: Volvo Trucks North America says it will use new exhaust-gas recirculation technology to help its diesel engines meet the EPA’s rigorous 2002 emissions standards. Starting in the fourth quarter of 2002, Volvo trucks equipped with Volvo diesel engines will use an EGR system called “V-Pulse.” It uses pressure pulses created by the exhaust valves, then re-circulates up to 30% of the exhaust through a cooler and back into the inlet. By using high-pressure, modulating-unit injectors, combustion is clean and efficient, the company says.

V-Pulse technology will not add significant weight to the existing Volvo 12-litre VE engine line, and its simplicity will make the trucks easier to maintain, Volvo claims. No turbocharger-related technologies are used.

V-Pulse will be supported by the company’s “PRISM” program which provides drivers, managers, and technicians with diagnostic and repair support services.

Cummins Readies ISM for 2002: Cummins says it will offer a complete product line to serve on-highway truck markets in 2002, including its ISM engine.

The 10-litre engine will continue to be a major element in the company’s heavy-duty product line, the company says, noting that the new air-management technologies of cooled exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) and variable-geometry turbocharging (VGT) are being applied to it. In fact, the company’s initial EGR evaluation work was done on an ISM platform.

A common technical approach across all engine platforms makes incorporation of the new air-management system to the ISM a logical extension of its other 2002 development work. The ISM’s development is “on track” for introduction and availability in fourth-quarter 2002.