EPA's new diesel-emissions rules set Her 4 standards for 2014

摘要

The U.S. Environmental Protec-tion Agency has announced new, far-reaching marine diesel-emission standards. The new rules, issued in March, finalize a three-part program applying to marine diesel engines below 30 liters per-cylinder displacement. The new rules: 1. establish the first national standards for existing marine diesel engines larger than 600 kw when they are remanufactured 2. set near-term Tier 3 standards for new marine engines beginning in 2009 3. establish Tier 4 standards to take effect in 2014 for new marine engines above 600 kw, based on high-efficiency catalytic after-treatment technology- The overall environmental challenges for the marine engine manufacturers and shipowners continue to be reduction of SOx (oxides of sulfur, mainly SO2), particulate matter (par-ticulates of carbon, fuel, lubricant ash, hydrocarbons and sulfates), NOx (oxides of nitrogen) and CO2. According to the EPA, the new standards will result in a 90 percent reduction in particulates and an 80 percent cut in NOx from Tier 4 engines.