CleanAIR Particulate Filters Protect Miners’ Exposure to Diesel Emissions

Santa Fe, NM -- February 22 -- Miners have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. While many federal regulations protect miners from on-the-job hazards, it has not always been easy to protect the air they breathe. Now new standards decided on February 9th by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will help miners breathe easier by limiting exposure to diesel emissions, specifically fine carbon particles (particulate matter) which have been linked to lung cancer and respiratory illnesses. Produced by heavy equipment operating within the mines, particulate matter can essentially be eliminated by retrofitting vehicles with diesel particulate filters, such as the products manufactured by CleanAIR Systems, Inc.

A leading supplier to the mining industry of emissions control technology, CleanAIR diesel particulate filters are currently installed in twenty-six mines located throughout eight states. The CleanAIR PERMIT FBC™ Filter reduces particulate matter by over 85%, as well as reducing deadly carbon monoxide (CO) by up to 90% and hydrocarbons (HC) by as much as 90%. At the same time, the CleanAIR PERMIT FBC™ does not increase emissions of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which also poses a serious air quality problem within mines. The PERMIT FBC™ can reduce emissions while operating using any diesel fuel from high-sulfur diesel to ultra-low sulfur diesel, as well as biodiesel.

The CleanAIR PERMIT FBC™ Filter was tested in 2003 by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and found acceptable for use in mines.

“We have been working with the mining industry for a long time in the United States and Canada to solve emissions problems,” explains Michael Roach, President of CleanAIR Systems. “The PERMIT FBC™ Filter is a proven solution for reducing particulate matter, CO and HC, while not increasing emissions of NO2. Our goal in developing this product was to create a filter for the specialized environment of underground mining and, at the same time, protect miners from dangerous emissions.”

The February court decision affects 16,000 miners across the country, working mostly in metal (such as gold) and non-metal mines (such as limestone). Coal mines are subject to different regulations, with many already installing filters to control emissions.

Established in 1993, CleanAIR Systems, Inc. located in Santa Fe, NM, is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. Their products are designed to control air pollution for on- and off-road vehicles, as well as stationary machinery and power generation. CleanAIR – Committed to a Cleaner Environment.

For more information, visit www.cleanairsys.com

CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter Passes MSHA Tests

Catalyzed Particulate Filter and Diesel Fuel Additive Reduces Particulate by More Than 85%

Santa Fe, NM – January 7, 2003 – CleanAIR Systems, Inc. received notice from the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) that its new diesel particulate filter system passed tests to control toxic diesel particulate emissions in underground mines, including coal, metal and nonmetal mines. The CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter system is the only product of its kind on the market that reduces diesel particulate without increasing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions and self-cleans at normal exhaust temperatures. Last year MSHA discovered that other diesel particulate filter systems cause significant increases in NO2 emissions and their use was prohibited in July 2002.

While one of the major drawbacks to using traditional precious metal catalyst coatings is an increase in NO2, CleanAIR Systems was the first in the industry to successfully develop a precious metal catalyst coating that does not increase this harmful emission. The precious metal catalyst greatly decreases emissions of poisonous carbon monoxide and toxic hydrocarbons, and enhances a fuel-borne catalyst to promote safe regeneration (self cleaning) of the filter under normal operating conditions. The CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter system uses this new catalyst formulation, designated FPA, which is applied to a ceramic filter, and a patented fuel-borne catalyst (FBC) supplied by Stamford, Conn.-based Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc. (CDT) (EBB: CDTI & AIM: CDT/CDTS). The CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter’s specially formulated precious metal coating is designed to take advantage of CDT’s platinum/cerium fuel-borne catalyst. “We’re proud to receive this approval based on the ability of this unique combination – the CleanAIR PERMIT™ joined with CDT’s fuel-borne catalyst – to provide more than 85 percent diesel particulate reduction while causing no increase in NO2 emissions,” said Michael Roach, President of CleanAIR Systems, a privately held company. “Other catalyst systems that use precious metals for regeneration cause significant increases in NO2, which is a strong lung irritant and especially problematic in underground mines. Still other filter systems, more expensive and time consuming than our combined system, require the filter to be removed for cleaning each night or plugged in and electrically regenerated overnight.”

MSHA regulations adopted in 2001 regarding emissions of diesel particulate matter (DPM), commonly known as soot, are the first legislation to control miners’ exposure to diesel particulate in U.S. mines. The regulations establish new health standards for underground mines that use equipment powered by diesel engines. Due to its sub-micron size, diesel particulate penetrates deep into human lungs and contributes to numerous respiratory problems. According to MSHA, underground miners are exposed to a higher concentration of diesel particulate than any other occupational group, and face a significantly greater risk of developing such diseases as lung cancer, heart failure, serious allergenic responses, and other cardiopulmonary problems. MSHA estimates that at least 10 cases of lung cancer per year will be avoided as a result of the regulations.

MSHA conducted rigorous tests on the CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter system on a laboratory reference engine and on a unit operating in a coal mine. MSHA lab tests, carried out on a Deutz F6L 912W over an ISO 8178 steady state eight-mode test, indicated the system reduced diesel particulate by 89 percent, reduced carbon monoxide by 86 percent, and did not increase NO2 . Standard EPA diesel fuel with 350-ppm sulfur content was used for testing.

A separate report from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recently concluded that a combined catalyzed diesel particulate filter (CDPF) and fuel-borne catalyst was the best system for mines. “The use of a CDPF in combination with an FBC, if needed for regeneration, seems to be the most effective aftertreatment technology for reductions of DPM and gaseous emissions from the diesel exhaust,” reported the agency. It further noted that “some FBC’s, notably the Pt-Ce FBC, are effective at extremely low dosing levels.”

“The CDT Platinum Plus FBC has undergone extensive laboratory and field tests in the United States and Europe and is registered with the U.S. EPA for use in on-highway fuels,” said James Valentine, President and COO of CDT. “The FBC promotes better in-cylinder combustion by introducing minute amounts of platinum and cerium (Pt-Ce) catalysts into the engine leading to reduced soot loading to the filter. It also lowers the oxidation temperature of soot trapped in the filter allowing passive regeneration – or self cleaning – under normal operating conditions. The Platinum Plus FBC has been used in more than 800 units worldwide with more than 15 million miles of trouble-free service. The FBC is completely soluble and stable in fuel and is easily blended in bulk fuel or on site using automatic dosing equipment. Testing has shown no toxic or secondary emissions resulting from the use of the FBC.”

Besides mining applications, CleanAIR Systems and CDT have recently supplied the combined CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter system to refuse trucks, beverage delivery trucks, and stationary engines. CleanAIR Systems and CDT are also conducting field and engine dynamometer testing in support of verification under the California Diesel Risk Reduction Program. Recent tests of an on-highway diesel engine resulted in more than 90 percent reduction in diesel particulate and no increase in NO2 when the CleanAIR PERMIT™ FBC Filter and Platinum Plus FBC were used with ARCO’s ECD-1 ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel on a 1998 heavy-duty diesel engine.

The companies will market to U.S. mines through the CleanAIR Systems distributor network and discussions are underway for distribution to overseas mining and tunneling sectors.

Certain statements in this news release constitute “forward-looking statement” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known or unknown risks, including those detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

Summary of MSHA Testing. Read more …