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1 S RETROFITTING
Page 62
Page 63
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Too RETRO?
With truck manufacturers reaching Euro-5 emission levels and exhaust technology increasing rapidly, is there still a need to retrofit exhaust systems? Dylan Gray finds out.
Now that London mayor Ken Livingstone has given the go-ahead to London's low-emission zone (LEZ), there will no doubt be some operators looking for new work elsewhere. Others will either have to splash out for newer, compliant vehicles or cleanup their existing models.
But with new engine technologies such as Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) taking centre stage, does retrofitting have a future? Mike Galey, director of marketing at Eminox, certainly thinks so. He says:"We're expecting a considerable demand from operators wanting to take advantage of the retrofit route for LEZ compliance."
Erninox offers two systems to help operators meet the LEZ requirements: Continuously Regenerating Trap (CRT); and Fuel Borne Catalyst (FBC). Both of them will allow vehicles to meet Euro-3 and Euro-4 particulate levels the latter being the LEZ requirement for 2012. Galey adds: "Our CRT is market-leading; smaller vehicles would use our FBC system. Both are full filtration,so bringing Euro-2 and 3 vehicles to Euro-4 emissions standards is no pmblem.We can take Euro-1 to Euro-3,but only very rarely to Euro-4.
To cope with expected demand the company is forming a partnership with vehicle maintenance specialist Pullman Fleet Services. Staff at five of Pullman's fleet maintenance centres will be trained to fit Eminox technology.The five service centres at Avonmouth, Enfield, Manchester, Tamworth and'Thurrock will complement Eminox centres in Gainsborough and Stoke.
Order early...
Galey believes demand will be for between 12,000 and 20,000 retrofit systems by next summer. And he reports:"We can produce around 10,000 units per year, so we would encourage people to act early."
Also set to benefit from the LEZ is German firm GAT EuroCat Catalysts. Managing director Gerd van Aaken doesn't beat around the bush when it comes to GAT's retrofitting potential."Our technology can manage a 50-60% particle reduction; others can manage only 40%," he claims.
He believes operators should be offered some guidance:"The LEZ is a big selling point for us.Transport for London should tell people to use partial flow filtersfull flow is too complicated. Sponge technology coating is the best solution. Our technology will bring Euro-1 or 2 vehicles up to Euro-3."
GAT was founded in 1983, initially producing catalysts in joint projects with Opel (Germany's Vauxhall) and Ford. In 2003 the company started developing wall-flow diesel particle filters for heavy-duty applications; GAT UK was founded in 2006. Both Frninox and GAT face strong competition from Astra Vehicle Technologies. At the recent Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham almost every Hino was fitted with an Astra exhaust system.Astra director John Chadderton explains: "Vehicles for specialist applications cannot always use their OF [original equipment] exhaust system.This is where we supply the right solution with our stainless-steel exhaust systems."
Astra was founded in 2005 in a management buy-out of Astrada-Octel Exhaust Systems.
Combination system Eminox has developed a system called SCRT, which combines its cRT technology with SCR to reach Euro-S.Galey says: It is still not clear if Euro-5 incentives are for retrofitted systems —we know that it is ruled out in Sweden. One of the problems is that the hoinologation process is very expensive."
Galey also sees the LEZ as heralding demand for retrofit technology across the Continent: "After London, 49 cities in the EU are looking at retrofitting."
Like GAT, Eminox is not only involved in retrofitting vehicles. Galey says:"We are constantly winning new OF business. We are also receiving off-road interest—CAT is one of those companies."
Environmental regs are certainly ramping up demand for retrofit systems; they also earn their keep on specialist vehicles which need the original exhaust space for other equipment. But many operators buy aftermarket exhausts simply because they look good.
A twin vertical stack stainless steel exhaust system will turn heads anywhere:The Godfather truck for instance, (featured on the cover of the May edition of CM stablemate Truck & Driver) has a stunning exhaust system.
So the market is being fuelled not just by the increasing demands from operators to keep their trucks' emissions compliant, but to also modify their vehicles with the original standard kept intact. •