Save the Diesel Fueled Engine: A Clean Diesel Engine with Catalytic Aftertreatment - The Alternative to Alternate Fuels

Off-Highway diesel engines may benefit from exhaust emission control systems developed for on-highway vehicles. Both the diesel oxidation catalyst and the catalytic soot filter are being used to remove diesel smoke and odor. The advantages of both of these technologies are explained. NOx emissions control from diesel engines are now being addressed. Alternate fuels, such as methanol or natural gas, have been designed to replace diesel fuel as a measure to control NOx emissions. To avoid transfer to alternate fuels and permit continued use of diesel fuel in diesel engines, two approaches are being studied. These are the use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and the development of a new technology called a lean NOx reduction catalyst. EGR, if successfully developed, probably will require the use of a catalytic soot filter. Lean NOx catalysts have been developed but still are not at a practical stage yet.