Achieving Ultra Low NOX Emissions Levels with a 2017 Heavy-Duty On-Highway TC Diesel Engine - Comparison of Advanced Technology Approaches

The 2010 emissions standards for heavy-duty engines have established a limit of oxides of nitrogen (NO_X) emissions of 0.20 g/bhp-hr. However, the California Air Resource Board (ARB) projects that even when the entire on-road fleet of heavy-duty vehicles operating in California is compliant with 2010 emission standards, the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) requirement for ambient particulate matter (PM) and Ozone will not be achieved without further reduction in NO_X emissions. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) funded a research program to explore the feasibility of achieving 0.02 g/bhp-hr NO_X emissions. This paper details the work performed on a heavy-duty diesel engine to explore the feasibility of various configurations of Traditional Technology (diesel oxidation catalyst-diesel particulate filter-selective catalytic reduction (SCR)) and Advanced Technology (passive NO_X adsorber or diesel oxidation catalyst - SCR on Filter - SCR) to demonstrate ultra-low NO_X emissions. Active and passive performance modifiers were also evaluated to demonstrate low NO_X emissions, including heated dosing, gaseous dosing, and supplemental heat addition devices. The proposed Ultra Low NO_X emission levels of 0.02 g/hp-hr require a significant shift in technology application to address cold start NO_X emissions. Data are presented showing comparison in NO_X reduction capability of the various configurations. All testing was conducted on the FOCAS-HGTR® system, which is a full flow, transient gas reactor bench for testing full sized catalyst systems.