Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Tech
EPA mulls over urea-injection rules
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The Environmental Protection Agency is considering a variety of rules that it might apply to urea injection for diesel engines, and is said to ready to issue rules for such emission-control devices in upcoming weeks. The regulations are expected to address potential issues arising with urea injection, such as the availability of the substance, making sure that the system and its low-fluid-level warning system are tamperproof, and dealing with urea's freezing point of 11F. One of the largest areas of contention between the EPA and automakers involves a proposed interlock between the urea level-monitoring system and the engine that would perhaps disable the starter or lock the vehicle's fuel cap if urea levels drop too low to ensure proper function.
Starting in 2010, all diesel vehicles sold in the US must meet or exceed "Bin 5" classification of the Tier II clean air standards, which would effectively make oilburners as clean as gasoline engines. Urea injection helps reduce the level of oxides of nitrogen when injected into the tailpipe, and does so at a cost perhaps 10% lower than the competing NOx trap technology. Bosch sees the combination of urea and selective catalyst reduction as the path toward diesel cleanliness, and GM has shown off the technology on a diesel light-truck prototype. VW's emission certification problems with the diesel Touareg last year elevated the profile of urea injection - and the problems surrounding it - here in the United States, and prompted the EPA to start moving.
[Source: Autoweek/Automotive News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
SpinDaddy 11:31AM (8/29/2006)
Now we have the real culprit in explaining why diesel powered cars and light trucks are not more readily available in teh US market...the EPA. They seem to keep snatching away the football like Lucy does to Charlie Brown every time he tries to kick it.
There seems to be a definite anti-diesel bias at the EPA, as they keep changing the rules or upping emission targets to unrealistic or prohibitively expensive levels. Meanwhile the American consumer continues to be denied the option of widely available more efficient diesel power.
I say let diesels into the market to compete with hybrids head on.
Way to go EPA, thanks for nothing -SpinDaddy
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Tom Dolle 12:02PM (8/29/2006)
The marketing teams definitely need to rename "urea injection". Sounds like a medical procedure nobody wants.
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Nick 12:09PM (8/29/2006)
so when your car shuts off because there's no more urea in the tank and you're miles from the nearest urea supply, I guess you just piss in the tank and get back on the road.
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Mike 12:19PM (8/29/2006)
SpinDaddy, you hit the nail right on the head! Not only are the EPA anti-diesel, but also blindly pro-hybrid. That's why the EPA's mileage rating for hybrids are waaaay off! We don't hear diesel drivers complaining that they can't attain the EPA's mileage ratings, like we do from so may hybrid drivers.
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upirons 12:28PM (8/29/2006)
There's certainly no shortage of urea on this planet!
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Mike 12:39PM (8/29/2006)
Being a TDI driver, if I had the choice between urea and NOx trap, I'd pick the trap even if it costs me a 500 - 600 dollar premium! We spend easily 600 bucks on more trivial things in our lives, so this should not deter a potential diesel buyer.
The urea option will become a pain in the butt! I can see the dealers already rubbing their hands in glee! Ka Ching!
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Carter 1:49PM (8/29/2006)
Urea is pretty cheap as Bioreagents go. Fisher lists a 500g (Cat. No. BP169-500) bottle for $37. I don't think this type of NoX filtering system will break the bank of diesel drivers and shouldn't be harder to do than topping off your oil a few times a year.
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David F 2:09PM (8/29/2006)
Urea is in pee.
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DieselNow 2:54PM (8/29/2006)
Not only is the EPA a serious block on diesels, but CARB in Kaliforniastan as well, and the reason why VW's diesels weren't sold in the US's biggest market either.
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Kotse 3:06PM (8/29/2006)
Yep, I could see it now come the next decade.
Over the counter DIY Urea refill kits at your local Wally's auto section...just add pee.
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Marc 3:53PM (8/29/2006)
Yeah, screw the EPA. They've just given us clean water and breathable air. Wait tho, if we just left it to coporations, they would save the planet all by themselves, cuz that's what they do. And that's, of course, what they were doing before there was an EPA. Thats why in the '60's, air in "Kaliforniastan" was like somking 2 packs a day, why contaminated water was giving cancer to children, why you couldnt swim at beaches. Yep, because big business loves to give back to the rest of us, and make the world a better place.
Maybe y'all need to take a trip to some European cities in the summer and see what diesel smoke does to air, then come back to your blue Kansan and Nebraskan skies and ask yourself if you like that color in the sky.
Clean diesels, SURE!! Bring 'em on. But dont fool yourself into thinking manufacturers will do so on their own. That's not the world we live in.
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Mike 5:11PM (8/29/2006)
Marc,
Nobody lives in Kansas and Nebraska...that's why the sky is so blue!!
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UK-KID 5:27PM (8/29/2006)
Marc has a point
Diesel Engines have a benefit for we European drivers because it is cheaper to run as it returns almost 50% more miles compared to its similarly powered Petrol Engines. So from an economic standpoint Diesels Are Better !!!
However Diesels are very polluting compared to Petrol as can be seen from the Black Soot that pours from the exhaust systems ( Especially older vehicles) so the EPA has good reason to insist on Cleaner Diesel Technology.
Lets be clear on this, I am not Supporting all the actions of the EPA as they have made some Very Dubious decisions in the past.
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Greg A. 6:51PM (8/29/2006)
What about the freezing point of urea being 11°F? Will the EPA mandate that the car not start unless the urea is liquid? Will manufacturers put in heaters for the urea supply, powered by the car battery?
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snakesausage 7:36PM (8/29/2006)
The people of the United States need to understand that there is a clear and present danger called FORIGN OIL. There are a few technologies, vehicle and chemical that working together could put a significant dent I the amount of foreign oil that we import. Biodiesel has the most potential but without cars to run it in it becomes a non-solution. While I am very concerned about the environment but I am more concerned about my security. The situation of our country is dire … Please, EPA and California, keep your particulate matter standards but reduce the NOx emissions standards for the sake of national security. Everyone call your representatives, especially if you live in California and the states that follow that emissions standards and ask them to slightly modify their Nox specification, you may be able to save your country if you do.
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guido 8:09PM (8/29/2006)
Well the last time in europe (2001 or so) i saw hardly any black smoke from any diesel powered vehicle (trucks included) but i see and smell it every day here. The us diesel rules are the reason that the few diesel vehicles make so much smoke. But instaed of just catching up, after sleeping for years (low sulfur anybody) the epa is going too far ahead and this way they blocking diesel vehicles today. But we need them today, they are perfect for most drivers here in the us. There is nothing wrong with stricter rules, but epa should give the car makers some time AND a selling possibilty NOW.
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AMcA 8:18PM (8/29/2006)
Please, you're going to criticize the government for requiring fool-proof protection without regard for cost?
Really. You're a bunch of ingrates.
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UK-KID 2:53PM (8/30/2006)
guido
I live in the UK so trust me the SOOT is there. It is especially visible during hard acceleration (It kinda Dumps it out like the way a Catalytic Converter does)
snakesausage
SHUT THE HELL UP !!!
You rant like a moron and nobody wants to hear your RUBBISH
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snakesausage 10:11PM (8/30/2006)
UK kid,
I did not know that catalytic converters dump anything out. They are merely pollution control devices used to convert one harmful gas to another less harmful gas. With particulate matter filters there should not be any soot being ejected from exhausts.
My “rant” was not directed at you, it was directed at my fellow Americans so BUT OUT!
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NEBTEK2002 1:01AM (8/31/2006)
When I worked at a plant that manufactured and shipped urea, the solidifying point of the 70% stuff we shipped was 70 degrees CENTIGRADE. Stuff that stays liquid to 11 FAHRENHEIT must be pretty weak.
Urea, at any concentration, is subject to stratification, so add a 24/7-operated electric circ. pump to that heated and insulated storage system.
And what of the injectors and distribution tubes? The stuff in the tank and circ. line might not harden, but the stuff out at the extremities of the system definitely will.
Our loading lines had to be thoroughly steamed out after each loading. Will diesel cars have a small steam generator aboard to steam out the whole system at each engine shutdown?
Won't all this combined steam/tincture of urea emanating from hundreds of cars parked at the same time and place for,say, a sporting event constitute a pollution problem in itself?
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