Caterpillar has submitted its October 2002 heavy-duty truck engine line for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification, although they will not meet the EPA's 2002 emission levels, requiring Caterpillar to pay a compliance penalty per unit.
John Campbell, director of Caterpillar's on-highway engine products, said that the engines will produce lower levels of emissions, but well above the level mandated by EPA.
Cat said in March that intends to begin introducing Advanced Combustion Emissions Reduction Technology (ACERT) versions of all its truck engines starting next April, with full production by October 2003. Cat said ACERT would not have cleared Cat's development and testing phase by October.
Campbell said Caterpillar's 2002 engines will use a proprietary diesel oxidation catalyst aftertreatment system to lower emissions. It converts carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbon in the diesel exhaust to water vapor and carbon dioxide. He added that the catalyst has no moving parts, operates at normal exhaust temperatures, and lowers engine noise levels.
"Design changes in the turbocharger and fuel injection system, as well as the addition of a fuel temperature stabilization system and proven aftertreatment technology, will lower emissions while maintaining performance and operating cost truck owners require," he said.