Yanmar Co., Ltd. recently introduced the Yanmar Green Challenge 2050, an initiative that aims to fundamentally transform the company into a greenhouse gas-free company. This initiative sets a clear course for minimizing the organization’s environmental footprint and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by developing the next generation of decarbonized propulsion systems.
On this journey to a carbon-free future, Yanmar is leading the way in creating cleaner diesel industrial engines, among other sustainability initiatives, including the development of fuel cell technology for marine commercial use.
Revolutionizing Diesel for a Sustainable Future
Within its industrial diesel engines lineup, Yanmar has introduced a host of clean diesel innovations across its history. Most recently, it has perfected the diesel particulate filter (DPF), designed for engines above 19 kW (25.4hp). The DPF system catches particulate matter contained in the exhaust gas. The particulate matter trapped inside the DPF is processed when the DPF automatically regenerates, keeping the filter constantly clean.
These engines also feature a high-pressure, electronically-controlled, multi-stage, Common Rail fuel injection system, further cutting exhaust emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. As a result, among other Yanmar proprietary technologies, these engines meet and exceed the most stringent clean diesel emissions standards across the globe, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 standards, the similar California Air Resource Board (CARB) Tier 4 standards, the European Union (EU) Stage V emissions standards certification, and China GB4 non-road diesel engine standards.
Tier 5 Regulations On the Horizon
Building its history of clean diesel innovation, Yanmar is also actively working to align with proposed regulations from CARB. CARB has commenced developing potential amendments to the off-road diesel engine standards, otherwise known as Tier 5 rulemaking. The Tier 5 rulemaking aims to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from new, off‑road compression-ignition (CI) engines beyond its Tier 4 final emissions standards rolled out during the previous decade.
On its website, CARB stated that, “It will likely include more stringent exhaust standards for all power categories, including those that do not currently utilize exhaust aftertreatment such as diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and selective catalytic reduction.”
Going further, CARB noted that, “Staff is considering possible elements to achieve NOx standards up to 90 percent more stringent, and PM standards up to 75 percent more stringent than today’s Tier 4 standards. First-time carbon dioxide (CO2) emission standards for off-road engines may also be proposed. Other possible elements include enhancing in-use compliance, proposing more representative useful life periods, and developing a low load test cycle. Staff is also investigating first-time, off-road, on-board diagnostics requirements and encouraging the development of zero-emission off-road equipment. ”
CARB’s goal is to finalize its proposal in 2025, with implementation of Tier 5 standards coming thereafter. Such efforts in the United States align with Yanmar’s Green Challenge 2050 mission. After all, in May 2012, Yanmar was the first to introduce and certify the world’s first CARB Tier 4 engine with an output range of 19~56 kW.
Yanmar Up to the Challenge
Yanmar is now focused on meeting the challenge of potential Tier 5 rulemaking as it becomes available, building upon its clean diesel engine technology including Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), along with the previously mentioned DPF and Clean Rail technology. Such efforts remain a seminal component towards completing the Green Challenge 2050 on the road to a carbon-free future.
For more information about how Yamar is leading the race for producing the cleanest off-road small industrial diesel engines, visit https://yanmarengines.com/diesel-water-cooled-engines/