LOUISVILLE. At the Mid-America Trucking Show yesterday, Volvo Trucks North America announced that its 2010 highway trucks equipped with SCR (selective catalytic reduction) emissions control systems will no longer generally require “active” regeneration of the mandated diesel particulate filters (DPF) under normal highway operating conditions.
Instead, the SCR solution Volvo has elected to use to meet the 2010 EPA engine emissions requirements will enable the company to increase the concentration of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) into the hot exhaust flowing in to the DPF, enabling all passive regeneration of the DPF.
According to the company, using SCR to eliminate NOx from the exhaust after it flows through the DPF also enables Volvo to tune the engine for better fuel efficiency and better performance. Passive regeneration of the DPF eliminates the need to inject diesel fuel into the DPF to oxidize accumulated soot. It also frees the driver from having to keep track of when an active regeneration needs to take place.
LOUISVILLE. At the Mid-America Trucking Show yesterday, Volvo Trucks North America announced that its 2010 highway trucks equipped with SCR (selective catalytic reduction) emissions control systems will no longer generally require “active” regeneration of the mandated diesel particulate filters (DPF) under normal highway operating conditions.
Instead, the SCR solution Volvo has elected to use to meet the 2010 EPA engine emissions requirements will enable the company to increase the concentration of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) into the hot exhaust flowing in to the DPF, enabling all passive regeneration of the DPF.
According to the company, using SCR to eliminate NOx from the exhaust after it flows through the DPF also enables Volvo to tune the engine for better fuel efficiency and better performance. Passive regeneration of the DPF eliminates the need to inject diesel fuel into the DPF to oxidize accumulated soot. It also frees the driver from having to keep track of when an active regeneration needs to take place.
“SCR enables us to reduce EGR, which means more NOx tailpipe emissions, and NOx is what is used to regenerate the DPF,” said Ed Saxman, product manager, drivetrain. “All the driver has to do is top off the diesel emissions fluid (DEF) tank.”
“This is a huge development for our customers, since their drivers no longer have to monitor DPF status or worry about managing DPF regenerations,” noted Scott Kress, senior vp, sales & marketing for Volvo. “Volvo’s advanced SCR technology removes a significant source of the trucking industry’s concern with emissions systems.”
Volvo also chose the Mid-America Trucking Show to introduce its new Volvo Enhanced Cruise (VEC), an advanced collision avoidance technology option that works with the truck’s cruise control system to maintain a safe following distance between vehicles. VEC also has the capability to automatically slow the truck with the engine and foundation brakes to maintain a set following distance, while alerting the driver to potential danger with both audible and visual warnings.
“VEC builds on our VEST (Volvo Enhanced Stability Technology) platform,” noted Frank Bio, product manager, trucks. “It is an example of active safety technology to help avoid and prevent accidents in the first place. Since VEC is integrated into our cruise control system, simply turning on cruise control and setting the speed activates the proactive intervention features.”
During the press conference, the company also presented a VN780 tractor to the American Trucking Assns. (ATA) for America’s Road Team to use to transport ATA’s new Image Trailer. The trailer is used to deliver safety messages and information about the trucking industry to the general public. “Safety was Volvo’s first core value,” said Volvo president & CEO Per Carlsson. “We are proud to announce that we are giving ATA this VN780 for use by America’s Road Team.”
In a related announcement, Scott Kress reminded the audience of Volvo’s new Safety Awards--- $25,000 each for the two safest fleets—which will be awarded this fall. The deadline for application is June 30, 2009. Fleets with five or more vehicles are eligible to enter. Judging is based upon the companies’ safety records and the safety programs and processes they have in place.
