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1 May 2007
USA EPA ANNOUNCE MORE STRINGENT
EMISSIONS FOR MARINE AND GENERAL PURPOSE ENGINES
The USA EPA announced in April proposed further
tightening of the emission standards for marine recreational engines
and for general purpose engines < 25 kW.
For marine spark ignition engines, the standards
proposed for 2009 model year are similar, in principal, to the California
'3 Star' emission standards which represent a greater than 65% reduction
on the current USA EPA 2006 emission standards. In comparison to
the baseline outboard emission levels prior to implementation of
the current EPA standards, the proposed 2009 levels represent over
a 90% reduction in emissions.
Orbital's Direct Injection systems are well
suited to the new requirements. Many of the Mercury Marine OptiMax
outboards are certified today for "3 Star" emissions and
will already meet the new proposed 2009 standards.
For spark ignition general purpose engines
(lawn and garden, industrial engines etc), it is planned to introduce
new emission levels in 2011 and 2012 that call for over 30% reduction
on the existing Phase II regulations, and will bring the Federal
States requirement inline with the Californian emission standards.
In addition, for spark ignition marine generators, the EPA is proposing
a 40% reduction in the allowed Carbon Monoxide levels.
When fully implemented, the proposed emission
standards would result in a 35% reduction in HC+NOx emissions for
the new spark ignition general purpose engines, with a 70% reduction
in HC+NOX emission for new marine spark ignition engines along with
a 70% reduction in CO emissions
Orbital is actively supporting its customers
to meet the proposed and future emission standards by both carrying
out specific engine development and calibration programs, and by
investigating for the longer term the technical path required to
meet the future requirements.
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