Will Your DPF Stand Up to Your Duty Cycle?

Buying a diesel particulate filter is an important decision. No matter which brand or model you choose, it is imperative to first determine what type of DPF will work with your vehicle(s). Why is this so important? We've heard the horror stories first hand. Fleets that had passive filters when they needed active filters have paid the price in time and money. We know of fleets that have to uninstall their filters on a regular basis and manually regenerate them, because their trucks don't reach high enough temperatures to regenerate the DPFs properly. This is a costly mistake most of us can't afford to make. We hope to help you understand both the differences in the filters and, most importantly, how to determine which type is best for your vehicle.

Your Duty Cycle is Paramount

How you use your vehicle is critical in determining which DPF is right for you. For instance, a vehicle such as a garbage truck, which makes frequent stops and drives primarily "in town" would not generate engine temperatures high enough to regenerate a passive diesel particulate filter (DPF). This type of duty cycle would require an active DPF. A passive DPF requires consistent high engine temperatures in order to regenerate the filter. A long-haul semi may generate sustained temperatures necessary to maintain a passive DPF.

Beware of Changes in Duty Cycles

When determining if your vehicle(s) should use an active or passive diesel particulate filter, keep in mind whether or not the vehicle's usage may change. If the vehicle's route changes and the vehicle engine doesn't get up to high temperatures regularly, the DPF cannot effectively regenerate and can no longer be used, or worse can cause engine damage. On the positive side, an active DPF can work on a broader range of vehicles, regardless of the change in duty cycle, because it doesn't rely on engine temperatures to regenerate.

DPF Type Checklist:

1. What does my duty cycle look like? (This is where data logging comes in handy.) Is my vehicle meeting the sustained temperatures needed to regenerate a passive filter?

2. Will my duty cycle change? How?

3. How long will the DPF I'm considering take to regenerate (what down time is involved):


So What's Your Best Solution?

While passive systems are often desired for their simplicity of operation, some applications may not provide the exhaust temperatures that are required. Passive systems also require data logging to confirm that the duty cycle of the vehicle meets exhaust gas temperature requirements. Many operators prefer an active system for the freedom of operation and the broad range of vehicles upon which it can be used. The Econix DPF-A is simple to regenerate, requiring the operator to just push a button and idle for 10-minutes. CARB has approved a 10-minute idle regeneration specifically for Econix DPF-A users.

Our goal at Econix is to help you determine which system is right for your vehicle(s). Regardless of your fleet compliance requirements, we can help you determine the optimum solution for your vehicle(s). Give us a call at 1-877-4-Econix.

Check out our video:

CARB Symposium - February 26, 2010

(All content below from CARB website)

Did you here? CARB is hosting a symposium on estimating premature deaths from long-term exposure to PM2.5.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will host a symposium on the science behind the methodology used to estimate PM-related premature deaths in California. CARB has invited scientists from academic institutions and government agencies to discuss the scientific findings regarding the association between PM2.5 exposure and premature death. The morning session will consist of short presentations, and in the afternoon, the format will be a round table discussion among the panel members on a number of specific issues, including criteria for selecting a concentration-response function for making estimates of PM2.5-related deaths in California, how uncertainties should be addressed, and whether we can differentiate the effects of PM2.5 from specific sources. The public may submit written questions about the scientific evidence discussed, and at the end of the afternoon session there will be an opportunity for the panel to respond to those questions. Registration is not required.

Symposium Information

Date: February 26, 2010 webcast
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: Cal/EPA Headquarters Building
Klamath Training Room
1001 I Street - 2nd Floor
Sacramento, California
Mapquest of Workshop Location
Agenda: Agenda and List of Panel Members
Presentations: Coming Soon

If you have technical questions, please contact Dr. Linda Smith, Research Division, Air Resources Board, P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812-2815 (lsmith@arb.ca.gov), (916) 327-8225. Updates on the symposium and the revised methodology will also be sent out via our electronic list serve. To subscribe, please enroll at http://www.arb.ca.gov/listserv/listserv_ind.php?listname=pm-mort.


For more information, please contact Dr. Linda Smith at (916) 327-8225 or email at lsmith@arb.ca.gov.

ARB Provides Some Relief to Off-road Construction Equipment Owners

In a press release from the California Environmental Protection Agency on February 11, 2010, ARB announced that no enforcement action will be taken until further notice.

The news comes as a result of the toll the current recession has taken on the construction industry.  "Over the last several years, the construction industry has felt the sting of the faltering economy with reduced activity and idled off-road equipment.  This has made it difficult for contractors to pay for required clean-air upgrades to their fleets."

ARB will hold an Executive Officer hearing on March 11, 2010 where stakeholders will be able to testify on how and what should change with regard to the off-road regulations.

The full press release is available online at:  http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/2010/nr021110b.htmhttp://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/2010/nr021110b.htm

Need to Know Facts About Off-Road Diesel Reporting

Navigating Your Way Through DOORS Reporting.

When most people think of the word "doors" they think of the front or back door of their house, or maybe even the their office door. This is not necessarily true for off-road diesel fleet owners. For some, the simple word "doors" can elicit anxiety and even fear.

The Diesel Off-Road Online Reporting System, more "affectionately" known as DOORS went into effect in 2009 for all diesel fleet owners. Although the reporting deadline for In-use Off Road vehicles was August 1, 2009, the California Air Resources Board or CARB is allowing fleets additional time to report without automatically being fined. However, should a fleet be caught non-compliant, they can still be fined thousands of dollars per vehicle per day, so it is very important to report your Off-Road fleet to CARB immediately!

A fleet can self-report with the use of the Diesel Off-Road On-Line Reporting System (DOORS) requires that fleet managers:

• Create a DOORS account with CARB
• Determine applicable vehicles
• Log into DOORS and open online forms
• Complete the owner information form
• Enter the vehicle information
• Enter the engine information, and if necessary, the Verified Diesel Emission Control system information
• Review the data
• Request a review from CARB and receive Engine Identification Number or EIN

Sometimes all of this information is difficult to find. VIN numbers or engine information is missing from the vehicle or buried in a maintenance manual. If the information submitted is missing too much information, or found to be otherwise done incorrectly, you will be asked to fix the errors, fill in the missing information and resubmit. After the information is accepted, CARB will issue each reported vehicle in the fleet an EIN number. These numbers must be displayed according to stringent specifications. As you can see, the entire reporting process can be cumbersome and long, taking your employees or yourself time to compile and report the information and label your fleet.

Should you find that this is not a beneficial use of your time, we offer the service of:
• Compiling and researching your fleet information either online or onsite, whichever is necessary
• Reporting it through DOORS and ordering labels with the EIN numbers provided by CARB
• On-site application of the labels and photographing each completed unit
• Preparing a final binder including all EIN numbers, DOORS documentation of certification fleet information and a recertification timetable.

For questions or an estimate contact Glenda at 909.466.1602 extension 137.

FREE CARB Training for In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation

FROM THE CARB (California Air Resources Board)*:

FREE TRAINING SEMINAR FOR THE IN-USE OFF-ROAD DIESEL VEHICLE REGULATION

Large Fleet Compliance Training:

FEBRUARY 10, 2010

To register for the FREE Large Fleet Compliance Training Seminar, go to: http://www.arb.ca.gov/ondoors/rsvp_feb10.php
For those unable to attend in person, the seminar will be webcast (no registration necessary) from: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast/?BDO=1


What is the Training About?

March 1, 2010 is the first compliance date for the Air Resources Board's (ARB's) In-Use Off-Road Diesel Vehicle Regulation for large fleets, i.e., fleets with over 5,000 total horsepower and federal and state agencies. To assist large fleets with their compliance efforts, ARB staff will conduct a training seminar geared towards helping owners of large fleets understand the March 1, 2010, compliance requirements. The seminar will provide information on:

•  New Reduced Horsepower and Reduced Activity Credits - These new credits were implemented specifically to help fleets during the current recession. The seminar will cover how to claim the credits, what records need to be submitted, and which indicators for activity may be used.

• DOORS 2010 Compliance Summary - The seminar will cover how to view your fleet's compliance status in DOORS.

• Fleet Average Calculator - The seminar will provide examples of how to use the Excel-based calculator (revised in September 2009) to plan for compliance.
•  

• Retrofit Visibility - The seminar will also provide an overview of how to use the ARB/OSHA visibility assessment methodology to evaluate a vehicle prior to installing a retrofit to be sure it does not create a visibility impairment, and how to apply for a temporary retrofit exemption if this is not possible for a specific vehicle.

The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian needs to take immediate action to reduce energy consumption.

For a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut your energy costs, see our website: http://www.arb.ca.gov.

Please note that this training is not intended as an overview of the in-use off-road diesel vehicle regulation. Such an overview is available via ARB's course 504; for more information, please see http://www.arb.ca.gov/training/courses.php?course=504

Who Should Attend the Seminar?
Owners and fleet managers of large fleets, and consultants providing assistance to large fleets. Large fleets are those with over 5,000 total horsepower of off-road diesel vehicles. Federal and state agencies are also considered large fleets, regardless of their total horsepower.

Where and When is the Seminar?

SACRAMENTO
Date: Feb. 10, 2010
Time: 9:00 A.M.
Location: California Environmental Protection Agency;
Byron Sher Auditorium
1001 I Street
Sacramento, California 95812


This free training seminar will also be webcast at: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast/?BDO=1


How Do I Sign Up?

Please preregister for the FREE Large Fleet Compliance Training Seminar, at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/ondoors/rsvp_feb10.php


You do not need to sign up if you plan on viewing the webcast. Pre-registration is not required to attend in person, but is encouraged to assist staff with event logistics. For further information about the training session, contact the Off-road Implementation Section at (877) 593-6677, or at doors@arb.ca.gov


For more information about the off-road regulation, visiting the In-Use Off-Road Diesel webpage at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/ordiesel


For information in alternative formats:
(916) 323-4916 (voice, ARB ADA Coordinator)
(916) 324-9531 (TDD, Sacramento area only)
(800) 700-8326 (TDD, outside of Sacramento)

*all text copied from CARB's offcial training flyer.

Diesel Particulate Filter Installation Galleries

Curious about how a DPF may look in use on a real vehicle?  If you haven't checked out our dpf installation photo galleries you should check them out.

We have several "galleries" of just some of the installations of our Econix DPF-A on a variety of vehicles.

Let us know what you think!

Galleries:

DPF-A Fleet Installation: Santa Rosa, CA	DPF-A Fleet Installation: Los Angeles, CA
DPF-A Fleet Installation: Rialto, CA	DPF-A Fleet Installation: Torrance, CA
DPF-A Installation: SEPII Program

If you have any questions or would like to know more give us a call at 1-877-4-Econix or visit our contact page: http://www.econixusa.com/contact-econix.html