It’s no secret that diesel emissions negatively affect human health, our environment and global climate, as well as disproportionately affecting communities of color and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Though we envision a net-zero future powered mainly by electric, carbon emissions continue to increase despite the encouraging growth of sustainable technologies.
While sustainability efforts and a deepening of air quality regulations are increasing around the world, some industry sectors are proving harder to decarbonize than others. Vehicles and equipment powered by diesel engines still account for more than two-thirds of all particulate matter (PM) emissions.
Diesel engines and environmental impact
The exact amount of particulate matter produced by diesel engines each year is difficult to quantify, as it depends on the type of engine, the type of fuel used, and the operating conditions. Estimates suggest that diesel engines produce around 1.3 billion tons of particulate matter globally each year.
Particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and sulfur oxides produced by engine combustion are major contributors to climate change. In addition, the reaction of these pollutants with sunlight and other contaminants produces a chemical reaction that creates smog that can be harmful to breathe, causing a myriad of respiratory conditions. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) estimates that diesel PM contributes to approximately 1,400 premature deaths from cardiovascular disease a year in California alone.
What is active diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology?
Active diesel particulate filters are exhaust after-treatment devices that can be fitted to a wide variety of diesel engines. Active DPFs trap harmful pollutants and prevent them from reaching the atmosphere, where they can cause significant environmental damage and impact to human health. Active filters are capable of self-cleaning, automatically regenerating regardless of exhaust temperatures, engine loads, cold starts and engine run time.
The Top 5 Immediate Environmental Impacts of Rypos Active DPFs
Active DPF technology is quite different from the other passive filters available on the market. It’s important to understand the difference between active and passive filters, as well as the immediate environmental benefits found through opting for active regeneration in any exhaust after-treatment device.
Here are the top five immediate benefits of Rypos active diesel particulate filters:
- They remove up to 95% of black carbon soot upon installation.
There is no wait time necessary for a Rypos DPF to begin producing environmental benefits. Active DPFs immediately go to work once installed, reducing diesel particulate matter emissions by up to 95%, actively protecting communities and mitigating harmful effects on air quality and climate change.
- They reduce diesel fuel consumption on units where filtration is needed.
Active DPFs reduce the unnecessary consumption of diesel fuel needed to perform regeneration, saving additional carbon emissions as well as decreasing fuel costs. Passive filters may require up to 60 minutes of increased engine load before reaching the temperature required to combust the particulate matter caught in the filter.
- They meet current air quality standards.
Only Rypos DPFs meet CARB Level 3+ and EPA standards, which are the most advanced engine emissions standards implemented to date. “It’s become imperative that engine manufacturers utilize the technology we have that will make an immediate and beneficial impact,” says Rypos CEO Paul Anderson. “What many don’t realize is that ADPFs will save them labor and maintenance costs in long run.”
- They provide sound attenuation.
An added benefit of Rypos Active DPF technology is sound attenuation, which eliminates the need for a separate silencer for standby applications. According to the EPA, studies show that there are direct links between noise and human health. Noise pollution not only drives hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypersensitivity to sound, but can cause or exacerbate cardiovascular disease and diabetes as well.
- They will not negatively affect engine performance.
When engine performance decreases, there is an ultimate cost to the environment, through increased fuel consumption and labor, or through the need to fully replace an engine should it fail. Equipment efficiency and the reduction of wasted labor and materials is intrinsically tied to long-term sustainability.
According to Anderson, only Rypos’ proprietary active DPF technology provides true self-cleaning filters that maximize the immediate effect on the environment and air quality. They have passed stringent regulatory testing and are the only CARB-verified active DPF on the market.
Whether you manage, data centers, hospitals, port cranes, or other diesel-powered equipment, Rypos can help you make an immediate impact on your environment and positive momentum toward net zero emissions. Contact Rypos today for more information.
