JLCC Catalysts
Fuel Catalyst Products & Systems
Engineering and Chemical Methods of Reducing Emissions
We live in a world of restrictive regulations on the use of carbon containing fuels and emissions from their use. It is well recognized that the technology does not exist to replace those fuels in the near future. However, there is great concern about sulfur and nitrogen oxides and their impact on pollution. Carbon dioxide, a natural by-product of the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, is under attack as a greenhouse pollutant. While the jury is still out on this issue, the fact remains that reduction of carbon dioxide along with reduced fuel consumption will have positive impacts on lowering the importation of hydrocarbon fluids by those countries that consume more than they produce.
Reduction of emissions has been dominated by the engineering and hardware approach. Mechanical engineers designed the engines and have remained involved in after-sale issues. Sulfur oxides can be reduced by (1) hydro desulfurization in the refinery or (2) scrubber equipment in the exhaust systems of the engines. Both of these are engineering solutions. The former requires installation of major equipment in the refinery involving expensive catalysts, production of hydrogen and heat followed by disposal of hydrogen sulfide. The latter requires the installation of expensive capital equipment in the exhaust system followed by maintenance, use of neutralizing chemicals and disposal of the resulting sludge.
Engineering solutions to reducing fuel consumption and nitrogen oxides involve replacing older but well performing engines with new ones. These new engines operate under less than favorable conditions leading to reduced power production, more maintenance issues and shorter lifetimes. This is the natural approach as engineers know how to design hardware solutions and selling hardware generates income for the businesses they work for.
Chemical treatment of hydrocarbon fuels (1) reduces consumption and carbon footprint, (2) lowers nitrogen oxide emissions below regulatory requirements, (3) offsets the added cost of hydro desulfurization to remove sulfur and (4) reduces particulate matter. Chemical fuel treatment products eliminate carbon deposits inside engines, extend the life of engine crankcase oil, extend the life of turbochargers and produce smoother running engines.
New technology utilizing patented products and equipment reduces nitrogen oxides well below regulatory requirements and, at the same time, reduced fuel consumption to more than pay for the use of the fuel treatment products. This technology has been proven in natural gas and liquid petroleum fuels. These same fuel reductions help compensate for increased costs of higher quality fuels mandated through regulations.
Chemical fuel treatment is based on solid science. In some cases, chemicals eliminate the need for installing, operating and maintaining expensive equipment. In other cases, chemicals are synergistic with engineering solutions to produce optimum results. There is a positive return on investment from the use of chemical solutions.
One might consider the situation like this. If someone has diabetes, would you go to an ophthalmologist for treatment? You might be prescribed eye drops or have your vision refracted because that is what the ophthalmologist is trained to do. The patient should go to a physician trained in internal medicine or a similar discipline because diabetes is basically a chemical problem. The same applies to reducing emissions. Chemists and chemical engineers understand the science of how emissions are formed and ways to reduce them without applying expensive hardware solutions.
© 2011-2012 JLCC CATALYSTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Website Designed by: BCSMITHCO
