| The Breakdown | | | | nonroad diesel engines and marine diesel engines. |
| In lasts months newsletter we discussed Tier 4 | | | | The signatories of the (SOP) agreed to pursue |
| emissions regulations and how they have effected | | | | new standards and methods which would reduce |
| off road equipment manufactures and the | | | | NOx and PM emissions by more than two-thirds |
| struggles faced by design engineers working | | | | of their current levels. |
| around Tier 4. This month we will break down | | | | The Tier 1 standard which was adopted in 1994 |
| each Tier stage and briefly describe the | | | | for engines over 50 hp had a phase in schedule |
| fundamentals behind each Tier in hopes of | | | | from 1996 to 2000. A program for the finalization |
| shedding a little more light on the EPA | | | | of more stringent emission standards for nitrogen |
| (Environmental Protection Agency) Tier program | | | | oxides, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter from |
| and its dark matter. | | | | new nonroad diesel engines was introduced to |
| | | | included the first set of Tier 1 standards for |
| While many whom work in and are affected by | | | | nonroad diesel engines applying to engines with |
| these emissions standards fully understand their | | | | less than 50 hp phasing in between 1999 and |
| importance and their role in the environment, | | | | 2000. |
| many more have simply heard about the emission | | | | This final rule was signed August 27, 1998 |
| standards but never fully understood what they | | | | reflecting the provisions of the SOP. This new |
| meant and the roles they play. In the following | | | | finalization included marine engines in this size |
| article, we will break down the EPS's different Tier | | | | range as well. It also phased in more stricter "Tier |
| stages and try to provide a better understanding | | | | 2" emission standards from 2001 to 2006 for all |
| of what they mean and how they affect | | | | engine as it added yet more stringent "Tier 3" |
| individuals lives. | | | | standards for engines from 50 to 750 hp from |
| The EPA conducted a study in 1991 to estimate | | | | 2006 through 2008. |
| the amount of NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) emitted by | | | | 1998 Regulations |
| nonroad diesel engines. This study concluded that | | | | Estimations by the EPA at the time of the 1998 |
| nonroad diesel engines emitted along the lines of | | | | ruling estimated that by 2010, NOx emissions |
| 10% of the nations NOx levels. It also concluded | | | | would be reduced by about one million tons per |
| this figure to be significantly higher in U.S. cities | | | | year. Equivalent of taking approximately 35 million |
| whose air quality was at a poorer level. The State | | | | passenger cars off of the road. Estimations also |
| of California conducted a similar study. In this, | | | | concluded the purchase price of a typical nonroad |
| California's State Implementation Plan projected | | | | diesel equipped machine to have less than 1% |
| nonroad diesel engines would contribute about | | | | expected increase in purchase price. |
| one-quarter of the total NOx emissions for the | | | | Tier 3 Regulations |
| city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles area by | | | | The phase-in period for Tier 3 began in 2006. Tier |
| 2010. | | | | 3 standards for nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons |
| As diesel engines are a major contributor of | | | | were similar to those of the 2004 standards for |
| particulate matter, the EPA projected by 2010, | | | | on-road engines. However, the Tier 3 standards |
| nonroad diesel engines would emit as mush as | | | | for particulate matter were never adopted for |
| three-quarters of all Particulate Matter if significant | | | | nonroad. |
| changes and standards were not implemented. | | | | Tier 4 Regulations |
| The Introduction of the Tier | | | | The EPA signed the final ruling introducing Tier 4 |
| The first federal Tier 1 standard for new off-road | | | | emission standards on May 11, 2004. The new |
| equipment was established in 1994. This new | | | | Tier 4 standards are to be phased in over a 6 |
| standard affected nonroad diesel powered | | | | year period from 2008-2015. PM and NOx levels |
| equipment over 50hp. A statement of principles | | | | will be reduced by about 90% for this newest |
| (SOP) was signed between the United States | | | | Tier. |
| EPA, California ARB (CARB-California Air | | | | Work Cited |
| Resources Board) and manufacturers of nonroad | | | | "Regulations and Standards." Nonroad Diesel |
| diesel engines. This (SOP) served as a blueprint to | | | | Equipment. 14 Oct. 2009. U.S. Envionmental |
| a multistep, long-term process of a control | | | | Protection Agency. 22 Mar. 2010. epa.gov |
| program for nonroad diesel engines. | | | | nonroad-diesel/regulations.htm |
| The (SOP) called for stringent standards in the | | | | "Nonroad Diesel Engines." Emission Standards. |
| admittances of nitrogen (NOx), hydrocarbon (HC), | | | | DieselNet. 22 Mar. 2010. dieselnet.com/standards |
| and particulate matter (PM) for land-based | | | | us/nonroad.php. |