International sticking with [NO.sub.x] trap strategy for 2007/2010 U.S. EPA diesel emissions limits

Diesel Fuel News, June 23, 2003

The maker of medium/heavy duty diesel trucks and buses isn't pursuing urea-SCR like some of its heavy-heavy duty competitors, but rather a combination of EGR, diesel particulate filter (DPF) and nitrogen oxides trap ([NO.sub.x] trap), International VP Pat Charbonneau explained in a press conference last week.

Getting urea infrastructure built to support an SCR strategy seems an "impossible task," he said. While industry splitting clean-diesel R&D funds between 5CR and [NO.sub.x] traps isn't optimal, it isn't "detrimental" to International's [NO.sub.x] trap R&D program, he said. The cost of [NO.sub.x] traps is coming down with reduced size and reduced platinum group metal (PGM) loadings, he said. Aiding International's 2007/20 10 EPA emissions compliance strategy is reduced engine-out [NO.sub.x], via advanced electronic fuel/air controls, sophisticated control algorithms and EGR. International, working with Engine Manufactures Association, also is push ing lower-ash lube oils to improve durability/performance of DPFs, he said. ULSD is critical to the over-all strategy as reduced sulfur means less-frequent [NO.sub.x] trap regeneration. An on-board sulfur trap (see Diesel Fuel News 1/20/03, p6) potentially could aid [NO.sub.x] trap durability and performance, while further minimizing fuel-economy penalties. Charbonneau rejected claims that [NO.sub.x] trap systems will cost $5,000 to $10,000 apiece in 2007, instead sticking with U.S. EPA's $1,800 estimate, plus about a 3% fuel economy penalty for regeneration/desulfurization cycles. Whether the heaviest heavy-duty engines eventually can prove [NO.sub.x] trap durability and cost-effectiveness has yet to be shown, however. "I'd defer to those working on that," he said. Reason: International isn't a big player in the heaviest-duty highway diesel engine markets. International promises to have 2007 prototype fleet test vehicles available by 2005.