E&MU: Ultra-Low-Sulfur Fuel Is Half of the Equation

ithout assurance of a ready supply of the cleanest possible fuel, say the manufacturers of diesel engines, no new engine design alone would be able to reduce nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulate matter by another 90% or more, which is what the 2007 federal diesel emission standards require.

Most of the engine makers are favoring advances aftertreatment that would scrub the exhaust stream of a vast portion of remaining harmful emissions, and they say the technology won’t work well if the fuel contains any appreciable amounts of sulfur.

The government has directed refiners to start producing ultra-low-sulfur fuel by 2006.

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