New rig or old, International Trucks is on a global mission to reduce toxic emissions via its ‘Green Diesel Technology" retrofit programme.

South Africa has a relatively old truck parc when compared to that of first world countries, on average 10 to 15 years. These aged stalwarts were built and homologated prior to the current emissions legislation and were never equipped with emissions reduction technology. But they're still out there, earning their keep on our roads, albeit in a not too environmentally fashion. There is a way however, to transform your 'old grunter' into an 'eco-chariot', discovers Paul Collings.

Some trucks are built to last and International is a brand synonymous with longevity, says Bob Jones of International Trucks SA. "The fact that our trucks are compatible with familiar proprietary equipment like Cummins engines and Eaton Fuller gearboxes allows International owners to carry their vehicles through several rebuilds, clocking in excess of three million kilometres in their lifespan." 

As such, many of International's local clients are running what it calls 'legacy vehicles' - trucks from the last two decades of the 20th century, to be specific. While this speaks volumes about the durability of these State-side favourites, there is the problem of harmful emissions. 

"We have a viable solution," says Roger Kuchar, who heads the sales and marketing division of International's 'Green Diesel Technology' retrofit programme. "Harmful exhaust emissions in the form of NOx, CO and PM have been targeted by the US government for years. Both legislation and industry have made it compulsory for older trucks to curb emissions as much as possible. International has enabled this by developing and marketing various exhaust gas after treatment technologies that can be retrofitted to legacy vehicles."

Through its 'Green Diesel Technology' programme, International, in conjunction with the United Nations and the US Environmental Protection Agency is rolling out a global retrofitting campaign to minimize environmental damage caused by emissions from older diesel trucks. 

"Being a world leader in the diesel industry, International believes it has a responsibility to inform the market of new diesel technologies," explains Kuchar. "We have an obligation to provide improvements wherever possible. This idea was sparked at the 5th. annual conference of the Partnership for Clean Fuels and Vehicles (PCFV) in Quito, Ecuador, in February 2007. Follow up meetings were held in South Africa in the autumn of 2007 with local Air Quality Management people and Tyco Trucks. In January 2008, International and Tyco Trucks, installed several types of diesel emission reduction technologies onto local vehicles. The main purpose of these demonstrations is to show how the various technologies can help to improve the diesel emissions in legacy vehicles in the region."
 

A view inside an International retrofit exhaust, showing the ceramic Diesel Particulate Filter.

The key products to be demonstrated are the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and the Closed Crankcase Ventilation system (CCV), says Kuchar. "These retrofit products significantly reduce the particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbons (HC), and carbon monoxide (CO) from diesel exhaust gasses. These products do not reduce engine power or lower fuel economy and can be retro fitted onto existing vehicles to improve their emission performance."

The goal of the campaign is to demonstrate the ease of installation and effectiveness of the technologies in the Southern African region, adds Kuchar. "Many of the in-use vehicles will be operating for many years to come and these new products can make them much more efficient for the remainder of their life. These products are available today, can easily be installed and are certified to reduce the harmful byproducts of diesel combustion. Owners of legacy vehicles can therefore take action immediately and make their contribution to keeping our air clean."