Already capturing industry attention, the new breed of Cummins engines meets regulatory standards and is designed to deliver all its performance advantages without incurring higher operation costs.
p>Already capturing industry attention, the new breed of Cummins engines meets regulatory standards and is designed to deliver all its performance advantages without incurring higher operation costs.
As a world leader in the design and manufacture of power generation equipment with an enviable 90-year heritage, Cummins’ commitment to investing hundreds of millions of dollars per year in research and development has enabled its engineers to develop one of the world’s most advanced range of engines that delivers both increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
Lowering limits on emissions
Since the introduction of non-road Tier 1 regulations in 1996, the EPA has incrementally lowered the limits on emissions from diesel-powered, nonroad equipment. Tier 4 regulations require diesel engine exhaust emissions that are significantly lower than previous tiers. For example, Tier 4 electric power products will produce approximately 93 per cent less oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 94 per cent less particulate matter (PM) than Tier 1 products. Tier 4 regulations apply to both stationary and nonroad mobile applications and are split into two parts, termed Tier 4 Interim and Tier 4 Final. The Interim phase begins in 2011-2012, with even more stringent limits to come into effect in the Tier 4 Final phase in the 2013-2015 time period.
Cummins Power Generation Inc.’s Tier 4 Interim and European Stage IIIA off-highway emissions regulations solution is driven by the need to deliver a cost-effective solution with improved fuel efficiency across the range for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and, ultimately, operators. Generator sets, comprising an engine and alternator working together to produce electricity, require a reengineering process to satisfy new standards, which involves the removal of the existing engine from the generator set and replacement with a compliant engine.
“Customers are facing a substantial engineering effort with the onset of the 2011 emissions requirements, and Cummins is helping by leading the charge,” said Joseph Feldman, sales and marketing manager, North America G-Drive, Cummins Power Generation. “We’re well positioned as an emissions leader, offering customers comprehensive and dependable solutions, as well as the service, support and expertise required for the transition to Tier 4 Interim.”
Spanning the globe
Cummins achieved Tier 4 Interim emissions levels by developing the engine combustion technology to work with the after-treatment filter in reducing PM emissions levels by 90 percent. The use of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) enables the required 45 per cent reduction in NOx to be achieved.
Engine enhancements also include the use of Cummins Variable Geometry Turbochargers (VG Turbo), advanced electronic controls and high pressure common rail fuel systems. Common Tier 4 subsystem architecture will extend across the compliant portfolio. Cummins was able to build on the proven durability of the company’s Tier 3 engines and combine it with successful technologies to deliver the most dependable power solution.
Cummins G Drive engines have been the driving force behind the world’s generator sets for 90 years, providing vital power solutions for rental and mobile applications in a variety of markets, including industrial, commercial, health care and telecommunications.
Cummins G Drive engines are used extensively by OEMs. This integrated system approach offers OEMs more efficient packaging for an easier Tier 4 installation. Minimizing installation complexity is a key focus of the Cummins Tier 4 development program. Cummins now offers a complete CoolPac cooling option, which includes a radiator, air cleaner and Particulate Filter Exhaust After-treatment, further reducing the OEM’s engineering requirements. This is enabled through Cummins’ ability to pre-engineer all the key components in-house.
