EPA certifies Engelhard system under the UBRR program
11 March 1997
Engelhard Corporation announced today that its ETXTM -2002 engine upgrade system has become the first technology certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to meet stricter standards for particulate-matter emissions from urban buses.
ETX-2002 enables older, diesel-engine buses to meet the same strict standard (0.10 grams per brake horsepower-hour, or g/bhp-hr) currently in effect for newer model heavy-duty trucks. According to the EPA, this standard reduces particulate-matter emissions by 80%, far more stringent than the 25% reduction initially required by the agency's urban bus retrofit program.
"The EPA certification will bring the benefits of this innovative technology to urban areas more quickly," said Daniel W. Parker, group vice president and general manager of Engelhard's Environmental Technologies Group. "It's also significant because many other countries look to the United States, and to the EPA in particular, when deciding on their own pollution-abatement regulations and strategies. With ETX-2002, we've proven that we can significantly and cost-effectively clean up diesel buses."
Under the EPA's retrofit program, transit bus operators in about 40 highly populated areas are required to install EPA-approved equipment on older buses when engines are rebuilt or replaced. The regulations target particulate matter or soot, which has been identified as a probable human carcinogen. High levels of exposure can also cause increased frequency of bronchitis, asthma attacks and respiratory infection.
ETX-2002 is the next generation technology to Engelhard's CMXTM converter muffler, which was the first technology certified by the EPA to meet its initial requirement for 25% reduction of particulate emissions from urban buses. More than 6,500 CMX mufflers are presently in operation.
ETX-2002 combines two Engelhard technologies—the CMX converter muffler and GPX combustion-management coatings. When applied to engine components, GPX coatings reflect heat back to the combustion process resulting in cleaner and more efficient burning of fuel. Inolder diesel bus applications, this has resulted in dramatically reduced visible smoke, improved fuel economy and increased power. Engelhard acquired the coating technology behind GPX when it purchased General Plasma in 1994.
"The EPA's certification underscores Engelhard's decision to purchase General Plasma," Mr. Parker said. "ETX-2002 is an outstanding example of the technological synergy that was envisioned for the acquisition."
Source: Engelhard Corporation