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Otto Alternates and Diesel
Diversions
By Ron
Cairns
Catalytica
Energy Systems
Catalytica Energy Systems,
Inc. of Mountain View, California, has developed a process to
reduce emissions in conventional diesel engines. Their NOx (Nitric
Oxides) trap looks like a fancy muffler and can be retrofitted to
most Diesel trucks with no fuel consumption penalty.
In December, 2004 they
successfully completed an extensive test program on an 8.3 litre,
215 hp. diesel engine and reduced its NOx emissions by over 90%!
This means that 2010 emission standards could be met today if there
was the political will to meet them.
Catalytica’s diesel fuel
processor delivers a rapid and low-temperature NOx adsorbion with
improved fuel utilization and efficient de-sulfation (elimination
of sulfur within the NOx trap associated with the sulfur naturally
occurring within diesel fuel). Sulfur was historically left in
diesel fuels as a lubricant but just 5% bio-diesel has much better
lubrication properties. Low temperatures are important because NOx
form at high combustion chamber temperatures.
Currently sulfur is left in
diesel fuel because the oil companies say that; A) there is no law
to make them stop and B) removing it would increase the cost by a
cent or so a gallon.
Another interesting
innovation they have made is their Xonon catalytic combustion
system. Xonon replaces the flame used in the traditional combustion
system. The turbine itself is unaware that there is a catalyst, and
not a flame, in the combustor. Remember that the only purpose
for combustion is the rapid and controlled expansion of
air.
The difference is in burning
fuel and the catalytic reaction of fuel means that no NOx is
produced in the Xonon catalyst. The Xonon combustion system
generates the same high temperature outlet gases, which drive the
turbine. And at the same time, it limits NOx emissions to less than
2.5 parts per million.
Some of you maybe wondering
why I’m even talking about turbine engines here but there is a
connection. Turbine engines are very efficient in the amount of
work that they can do for a given amount of fuel. Scale is another
consideration; a 500 hp turbine engine can almost be hidden in air
cleaner canisters of most heavy trucks. Turbine engines have a slow
spool up rate so there’re not really well suit to road vehicle
applications but they are ideal for constant rpm and constant load
applications. If a turbine was used to run a generator then
electric heavy trucks just might come to a highway near
you.
Catlytica Energy Systems
address is Catalytica Energy Systems 430 Ferguson Drive, Bldg. 3 Mountain View,
CA 94043.
Their website is:
http://www.catalyticaenergy.com/home.html.
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