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Sustainability Tip of the Month No. 4: DPF Retrofits Are Key Players in Reducing Emissions

Sustainability Tip of the Month No. 4: DPF Retrofits Are Key Players in Reducing Emissions

By CE Contributing Authors July 2, 2010 View Profile

This is what a DPF looks like. We’re all trying to be more sustainable these days — particularly when it comes to emissions. There are a few options to consider when it comes to retrofitting your equipment to lower a diesel engine’s particulate matter (PM) emissions to help comply with regulations, bid specifications or other emissions requirements, and it can pay to do a little research. One popular retrofit option: installing a diesel particulate filter (DPF).

First, retrofitting with DPFs isn’t an option for all non-road diesel engines. Generally, Tier 0 and Tier 1 engines have PM levels that are too high for a DPF to be effective; however, DPFs can reduce PM on Tier 2 and Tier 3 engines.

Second, it’s important to understand the role a DPF will play on Tier 2 and above-powered equipment. A DPF will not make a Tier 2 engine into a higher tier-certified product like Tier 3 or Tier 4. Rather, the filter may qualify as a “best available control technology” or meet other emissions requirements asked of a contractor.

Further, the DPF may help a contractor reduce the PM levels of his or her entire equipment fleet. Understanding the impact of retrofit on the entire fleet is important because California has adopted a regulation intended to reduce PM and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions on construction equipment on the basis of a “fleet average.” The fleet average is an overall emissions profile for a fleet.

While California has temporarily postponed this regulation for economic and other reasons, the state may reinstate its fleet average approach in the future. Additionally, other states may follow California’s example and enact similar fleet rules to reduce PM and NOx emissions from fleets with older, higher-emitting engines.

Where can you get a DPF and quality installation?
A number of companies offer aftermarket DPFs, including equipment manufacturers. John Deere is currently working with a company called NETT to manufacture retrofit devices specifically for Deere equipment. These devices install under the hood to preserve visibility from the operator station. John Deere hopes to make them available later this year from its dealers for a select range of machines and expand the line over time.