E-POD™ Reduces NOx Emissions on Wyoming Drill Rigs

CleanAIR Systems installs new technology on seven drill rigs to dramatically reduce NOx, PM, HC, and CO emissions

Santa Fe, NM – February 19, 2008 - CleanAIR Systems is pleased to announce the introduction of their new emissions control technology, the E-POD™, with the successful installation of seven units on drill rigs operating in Wyoming’s oil-rich Pinedale Anticline Project Area (PAPA).

The proprietary technology combines CleanAIR’s non-toxic zeolite-based selective catalytic reduction catalyst (SCR), diesel particulate filters or diesel oxidation converters and unique reductant mixing system all within a single fully insulated, stainless steel, critical-grade silencer package. Unlike other SCR systems that only reduce NOx, CleanAIR’s E-POD™ with DPFs enables Tier 4 final compliance for most diesel stationary engines and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) compliance for lean-burn natural gas engines by dramatically reducing NOx, PM, HC and CO.

Working in conjunction with Caterpillar dealer Wyoming Machinery, custom-engineered E-PODs™ were installed on seven diesel generators between September 2008 and January 2009 in the PAPA oil fields.

An innovative drop-in design was developed for several of the E-PODs™ as a trouble-free solution to moving the system when relocating to a new drill site. A typical SCR system is bulky and difficult to move. Most systems require dismantling, placement on a flatbed and hauling to the next drill location, where they are then reassembled and once again lifted into place. CleanAIR engineers solved this time-consuming and costly moving process by fully integrating the E-POD™ within the tight space constraints of the generator trailer. Designed to be lowered into place through an opening at the top of the trailer, the E-POD™ is installed above the generator, becoming part of the trailer’s roof. This unusual approach allows the emissions control unit to “disappear” from view. It also enables the E-POD™ to be transported along with the generator, without the added expense or hassle of dismantling, hauling or lifting a separate unit.

Another state-of-the-art E-POD™ feature is the CleanAIR all-in-one Dosing Cabinet, combining an electronic control system and injection system into one easy-to-install unit. Using real-time display, automatic data-logging, programmable set-points and basic internal diagnostics, the CleanAIR Dosing Cabinet offers end-users simple, uncomplicated operational control and monitoring of the E-POD™ system.

Caterpillar Emissions Solutions Product Manager, Michael J. Readey states in a recent dealer newsletter: “We enthusiastically anticipate the 2009 release of the E-POD™, requested by dealers and developed by CleanAIR. The E-POD™ consists of a compact, ‘all-in-one’ retrofit aftertreatment system that combines greater than 90% NOx and 85% particulate reduction in a single package.”

On-site emissions monitoring at the Wyoming installation shows NOx emission readings are consistently averaging 95% reduction.

The E-POD™ is designed to fit and operate on any diesel or natural gas engine, making it easy for dealers to retrofit and service customer’s mixed-fleets without brand conflicts.

With NSPS for lean-burn natural gas engines right around the corner and EPA Tier 4 final compliance on everyone’s mind, CleanAIR’s new E-POD™ technology offers a compact, all-emissions solution to meet both federal regulations. Customers with Tier 1 through Tier 3 existing or new engines can now meet regulations today by installing the E-POD™.

For more information, visit CleanAIR Systems at http://www.cleanairsys.com/.

About CleanAIR Systems:
Established in 1993, CleanAIR Systems is a technology-based corporation manufacturing emissions control systems with worldwide distribution. CleanAIR’s products are designed to control air pollution such as diesel particulate matter and NOx, for internal combustion engines and gas turbines. The company is a preferred vendor of Caterpillar. Visit CleanAIR Systems online at http://www.cleanairsys.com/.

New England Experienced More Smog Days During Recent Summer, But Long-Term Trend is Still Toward Cleaner Air

As the 2007 summer ozone season comes to an end, EPA today confirmed that New Englanders experienced a modest increase in the number of poor air quality days this year, compared to 2006. The increase in number of days with reduced air quality is related to hot weather experienced throughout the region during the summer.

Based on preliminary data collected between May and September, there were 26 days when ozone monitors in New England recorded concentrations above levels considered healthy. By contrast, in 2006 there were a total of 16 unhealthy ozone days. Over the longer term, however, the air quality in New England continues to improve.

The number of unhealthy ozone days in each state this summer were as follows: 17 days in Connecticut (compared to 13 in 2006); 20 days in Massachusetts (11 in 2006); 8 days in Rhode Island (3 in 2006); 8 days in Maine (2 in 2006); 6 days in New Hampshire (2 in 2006); and 1 day in Vermont (none in 2006). Ground-level ozone, the main ingredient of smog, is unhealthy when average concentrations exceed 0.08 parts per million over an 8-hour period.

The increase in the number of days with unhealthy air this year was directly related to the increase in the number of hot days this year. Sunlight and high temperatures speed the formation of ground-level ozone smog; many areas of New England had more days exceeding 90 degrees this summer than during last summer. August and September were especially hot, dry and sunny for much of New England.

Although warm temperatures this summer led to an increase in unhealthy days, over the long-term New England has experienced a decreasing number of unhealthy ozone days. Also, peak ozone concentrations have decreased significantly over the last 30 years. In 1983, New England had 90 unhealthy days, compared with 26 this summer. Overall, peak ozone concentrations in New England have decreased by more than 20 percent since 1980.

Another measure of air quality in New England is the geographic extent of the unhealthy air quality. This is determined by counting the number of air quality monitors that recorded exceedances of EPA’s health-protective 8-hour ozone standard. A higher number of monitor exceedances means a more extensive area of unhealthy air quality. When comparing the 2007 ozone season to the 2001 ozone season, a New England summer with temperature data similar to this summer, the total number of monitored exceedances dropped from 349 in 2001 to 175 this past summer. This is an approximately 50 percent decrease in the number of areas exceeding the standard over this six year period.

“When we look back to the air quality conditions a generation ago, we can feel proud of the advances we have made in reducing pollution,” said Robert Varney, regional administrator of EPA’s New England regional office. “The unhealthy days we experienced this summer, however, remind us that our efforts to use cleaner cars and our commitment to reducing industrial emissions and conserving energy in our own daily lives, all measures that lower air pollution, must continue.”

Ground-level ozone (smog) is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) chemically react in the presence of sunlight. Cars, trucks and buses give off the majority of the pollution that makes smog. Fossil fuel burning at electric power plants, which run at high capacities on hot days, gives off significant amounts of smog-making pollution. Gas stations, print shops, household products like paints and cleaners, as well as gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, also contribute to smog formation.

Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause serious breathing problems, and aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases. It can also make people who are vulnerable more susceptible to respiratory infection.

EPA has taken a number of steps to further reduce air pollution. Since model year 2004, new cars, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans are meeting stringent new emission standards. The requirements are being phased in between 2004 and 2009 resulting in vehicles that are 77 to 95 percent cleaner than older models. The program also requires a 90 percent reduction in the sulfur content of gasoline, which is helping reduce emissions from all vehicles new and old. Also, beginning in 2007, EPA’s standards for new diesel engines for trucks and buses will reduce NOx and particulate matter emissions by 90 percent.

In addition, EPA has issued the Clean Air Interstate Rule to help reduce the transport of air pollution from power plants across state boundaries. When fully implemented, this rule will reduce power plant NOx emissions by over 60 percent and sulfur dioxide by over 70 percent from 2003 levels.

Although the 2007 ozone season is ending, pollution from small particles in the air is a year-round concern. The daily air quality index forecast will continue to be available at www.epa.gov/ne/aqi/. New Englanders can also sign up at this address to receive air quality alerts. These alerts are issued by e-mail, whenever necessary, to notify program participants when high concentrations of ground-level ozone or fine particles are predicted to occur, in their area.

Historical charts of unhealthy air days from 1983 through 2007 are available for each state on EPA New England’s web site at: www.epa.gov/ne/airquality/standard.html. A preliminary list of the unhealthy readings recorded this summer by date and monitor location, and corresponding air quality maps for each day, can be found at: www.epa.gov/region1/airquality/o3exceed-07.html.

See the Source:
EPA

Find out:
How to reduce NOx emissions from stationary engines using selective catalytic reduction.

air pollution
NOx emissions

The Dirt on Diesels

Cleaning up dirty diesels isn’t easy, but there are technologies available and new ones in the works which will reduce ozone-forming air pollution emitted from diesel engines in the form of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Because diesel cars and trucks are actually 30% more fuel efficient than vehicles fueled by gasoline, thereby burning less fuel, they can actually be better for the environment if their emissions are cleaned up using diesel particulate filters (to reduce particulate matter) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR).

In an effort to bring more innovative, fuel efficient clean diesel vehicles to the American marketplace, the EPA has issued a set of guidelines on emission certification procedures for on-road diesels that use SCR technology.

SCR reduces NOx in emissions by using a specially coated catalyst with a “reducing agent” such as ammonia or urea to turn NOx into harmless nitrogen and water.

According to the EPA, manufacturers of SCR technology will need to gain approval according to the guidelines in order to receive verification from the EPA. The technologies must take into account driver warning systems and inducement, system durability and reliability, and reducing agent quality and availability.

See the Source:
EPA – March 27, 2007

Find out:
More about low-temp selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology from CleanAIR Systems