With a growing number of local, regional and state government agencies regulating emissions from in-use diesel engines, fleets operating 2007 and older model year trucks are now facing replace or retrofit decisions. Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) is helping to address this challenge through a newly announced partnership with Cleaire Advanced Emission Controls, LLC.
Under the agreement between the companies, DTNA will become the exclusive North American (excluding California) provider of Cleaire retrofit emission control systems. DTNA will provide Cleaire retrofit systems, parts and services for all on-highway applications through selected outlets in its dealer and engine distributor network.
While some fleets are still understandably skeptical, one believer in this technology is the Sacramento County, California operation. The large municipal fleet operates a wide variety of equipment in diverse operations For 14 of its Caterpillar, Cummins, International and Isuzu diesel powered trucks, the fleet has chosen Cleaire’s Horizon or Longview active particulate filters.
“This product line-up has been an effective way to clean up our existing in-use diesel fleet,” said James Collins, equipment operations manager. “In particular, the Longview filter offers additional NOx reductions, which are not available with many other products on the market.”
Elk Grove, California has a long history in adopting emissions control technology in its bus fleet, including an electric bus demonstration, 50 compressed natural gas buses and most recently the installation of 48 Cleaire Horizon systems for its 48 full size diesel buses powered by Cummins B5.9 engines. The Horizon systems are supported in the school bus fleet by 10 on-site regeneration plugs.
“I’ve been very pleased with the installation and performance of the Horizon units,” said Gary Dodson, fleet supervisor for the school district. “Smoke has been eliminated from the exhaust.”
Cleaire offerings include the Longview passive diesel particulate filter designed for diesel engines operating in on-road applications such as intrastate linehaul, pick-up and delivery and refuse trucks, as well as transit buses, motor coaches and other on-road vehicles. The Longview system integrates a NOx reduction catalyst and catalyzed wall-flow silicon carbide diesel particulate filter for simultaneous reduction of NOx, PM, hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO).
Cleaire’s Horizon active diesel particulate filter with electric burner regeneration is offered for vehicles such as municipal, utility and refuse trucks, as well as school buses. The company’s Vista system is an active diesel particulate filter with diesel burner regeneration for similar on-road vehicles. Also available is the Cleaire LongMile for diesel particulate matter (PM) reduction in engines operating in on-road applications.
“Cleaire’s retrofit systems have a strong track record of reliability while effectively reducing emissions,” said John O’Leary, senior vice president, service and parts for Daimler Trucks North America. “Our partnership will significantly expand the availability of these retrofit devices as new markets develop.”
For fleets striving to comply with more stringent emissions requirements on in-use vehicles, the availability of alternatives through a truck OEM is welcome news.
