Tier 3 Marine Diesel Engines

 

As a follow up to yesterdays marine vessel post, the EPA has regulated all marine diesel and spark ignition engines (Tier 1 and 2). The 1999 Marine Engine Rule states that diesel marine engines must follow the non-road land based tier system. However, Tier 3 marine diesel engines (oil tankers, container ships, bulk carriers and cruise ships) continue to be unregulated by the EPA. Leaving the Tier 3 engines unregulated triggered lawsuits against the EPA. As a result, a court settlement required the EPA to require new Tier 3 marine diesel engines to adhere to Tier 1 standards. In addition, the EPA has made a commitment that by April 2007 rules will be developed which will impose Tier 2 standards on Tier 3 engines.

 

We should be hearing something soon from the EPA in regards reducing emissions from the biggest marine diesel engines. I will keep everyone updated.

Marine Vessel Emissions

After traveling aboard the Long Island Sound ferry last weekend, it is very apparent that the EPA must not overlook diesel exhaust from large commercial vessels. While the engines from this vessel were running, streams of black particulate matter were continuously emitted from the ferry's stacks. In addition, the levels of oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide were most likely off the charts. My family is lucky that the stacks were quite a distance above our heads and that there was a strong head wind to keep the exhaust away from the passengers.

The diesel fuel used today is a low grade fuel with high sulfur content called bunker or residual fuel. Bunker fuel is a by-product of the distilling process to create lighter petroleum products from crude oil. It has a high viscosity, sulfur and nitrogen content that increases emissions of NOx by 50%-70% and PM by 750%-1250% over lighter diesel products.

A very simple method to decrease these marine vessel emissions to to regulate the type of diesel fuel.

Cummins and Beijing Public Transport Sign a Deal

Cummins Incorporated has entered into a deal with Beijing Public Transportation to build and deliver 1400 EU Tier 4 diesel and 250 EU Tier 3 natural gas Westport engines. The new engines are part of a fleet upgrade to prepare for the 2008 Summer Olympics and to reduce emissions.

 

See full story below:

 

Cummins Secures Large Engine Order from Beijing Public Transport