Oct 7 2008
Bosch, a technology leader and partner in clean diesel technologies, is using its global reach and complete system expertise in diesel technology, to help the commercial vehicle and off-highway industries reduce diesel emissions to meet near-term emissions standards and further improve fuel economy.
Starting with the 2007 model year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted new emissions standards for heavy-duty diesel truck and bus engines, requiring the commercial vehicle industry to reduce diesel emissions (particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and nonmethane hydrocarbons) by 95 percent. Similarly, in 2004, the EPA issued a final rule that requires off-highway diesel engines such as those used in tractors, bulldozers, heavy construction, mining, logging equipment, airport tugs, locomotives and commercial marine vessels, to cut emissions 90 percent by 2014.
For all classes of these vehicles, engine manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) may be required to implement a combination of diesel exhaust aftertreatment systems with engine design and control changes to meet these new requirements. Bosch offers technologies and expertise that assist engine manufacturers and OEMs in developing the best solution.
"The commercial vehicle and off-highway industries are the backbone of any country for the distribution of goods, infrastructure and development of natural resources. We are squarely focused on supporting the technological advancement of this industry," said Bernd Boisten, regional president, diesel systems North America, Robert Bosch LLC. "We are devoting critical resources to this market, taking what we have learned in commercial vehicles on a global basis, and applying it to off-highway vehicles in North America."
"Bosch is a flexible, full-service partner and provider. From concept, to testing, through to manufacturing, we bring the industry's most advanced diesel systems technology," he said.
Alain Jablonowski, key account director, commercial vehicles, Robert Bosch LLC, explains that Bosch's long-term commitment to clean mobility is centered on its four areas of environmental solutions: Innovative injection systems, including injectors, pumps and control systems; diesel aftertreatment, such as Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR)/Denoxtronic and Hydrocarbon Injection (HCI)/Departronic(R); alternative drive concepts, including hybrid, downsizing, start/stop systems; and compatibility with alternative fuels.
"Bosch has a global presence that continues to attract and retain high-caliber technical talent to support the globalization of every commercial vehicle OEM on all continents," said Dr. Johannes-Joerg Rueger, senior vice president engineering, Robert Bosch LLC. In North America, Bosch's Farmington Hills, Mich., technology center has testing, system and application engineering capabilities focused on meeting its on- and off-highway customers' needs in the North American market.
Common rail systems
Rueger explains that with the new CRSN3.3 and CRSN4.2 common rail platforms, Bosch offers injection technology for commercial vehicles, making diesel engines more economical, more environmentally friendly and above all quieter, with a high power-to-weight ratio. CRSN3.3 offers the industry a system with 2,000 bar pressure for medium-duty trucks and 2,200 bar pressure for heavy-duty trucks, which creates low consumption and low emissions while maintaining the same high power output.
CRSN4.2 offers a newly developed two-stage pressure generation system suited for Heavy-Duty Class-8 applications. Instead of compressing the fuel to the current maximum injection pressure of 2,100 bar in the high-pressure pump, the fuel is compressed in the injector, which is equipped with a hydraulic pressure amplifier and two solenoid valves. This process allows the injection patterns to be flexible, meaning the timing and quantity of the fuel injected into the combustion chambers can be varied resulting in low emissions and reduced engine noise. When combined with electronic diesel control (EDC) and Denoxtronic for diesel aftertreatment, Bosch's complete solution for commercial vehicles allows future emissions standards to be met, such as the U.S. 2010 or the Euro 6, planned for 2012.
Diesel aftertreatment
Bosch diesel aftertreatment components are making commercial vehicles cleaner and more economical. Bosch's Denoxtronic reduces nitrogen oxide emissions, while Departronic supports the regeneration of diesel particulate filters.
Over the last decade, nitrogen oxide emissions have been reduced by more than 90 percent, mainly as a result of engine modifications and advancements in fuel injection systems. The Denoxtronic metering system developed by Bosch, as part of the selective catalytic reduction system (SCR), reduces residual nitrogen oxides by up to 85 percent.
Modern diesel particulate filters reduce particulate emissions by more than 90 percent. With Departronic, Bosch offers a diesel fuel-metering system, applicable for all commercial vehicle applications, for the regeneration of particulate filters. This robust system, which needs no servicing, controls the dosing of fuel according to the regeneration process, and independently of the engine's injection system. Compared with post-injections in the engine itself, Departronic is also more economical. Furthermore, since engine oil does not become diluted, oil changes are needed far less frequently.
Proven expertise
Bosch recently demonstrated its technology know-how with the launch of it first-ever common rail system in a Class-8 truck introduced in North America to meet the U.S. 2007 emissions standards. Bosch has continued its co-development process with several other engine manufacturers to introduce further applications in 2008. Additionally, the same Bosch technology -- and associated benefits -- that maximize the commercial-vehicle on-highway experience can be used for the off-highway industry as it strives to meet the upcoming emission legislation.
In addition to helping manufacturers meet emissions regulations, Bosch supplies various components for commercial vehicles, including: engine management systems; diesel exhaust aftertreatment; brake systems (LCV); steering gears, pumps; rear axle steering; starters; alternators; navigations systems; fleet management; trailer telematics; coach entertainment; truck radio; airbag electronics; mobile hydraulics; and service components.
Rexroth, a subsidiary of Bosch, offers reliable solutions for powertrain controls, pneumatics for trucks and busses, as well as various other applications such as Hydrostatic Regenerative Braking System (HRB).