FEV, NREL Pair Up on Diesel

FEV Engine Technology announces it is engaged in a National Renewable Energy Laboratory-managed program to develop emissions technology that enables light-vehicle diesel engines to comply with markedly tighter U.S. emissions standards now phasing-in nationally.

FEV says the program is evaluating low-sulfur diesel fuel, diesel-engine technology and emissions-control strategies, “to meet projected emissions standards through 2007.”

By 2007, federal Tier II emissions mandates require all light vehicles, regardless of engine type or fuel used, to comply with considerably lower standards for hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions.

Diesels, while traditionally more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines, typically generate higher levels of NOx and PM, making it difficult, with current engine and exhaust-aftertreatment technology, for diesels to comply with the new Tier II mandates.

FEV says it is testing a combination of high-pressure, common-rail fueling for direct-injection; low-sulfur diesel fuel; NOx-absorber catalysts and diesel particulate filters (DPFs) to bring light-vehicle diesels into Tier II compliance.

The company says it has developed a test engine dubbed Diesel Future II, predominantly using production components — but with proprietary FEV cylinder heads and pistons designed to reduce emissions.