HOW VOLVO SCR WORKS

THE GOAL: GETTING RID OF NOx.

Volvo D13 engines produced to meet the 2007 standards effectively reduced oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions by 50%, and reduced particulate matter (soot) by 90%. New EPA regulations for 2010 call for a further reduction in NOx emissions—a full 90% lower. Volvo engineers met this challenge by creating a system that will deliver near-zero emissions of particulates and NOx.

VOLVO ENGINEERS WERE FACED WITH A COMPLEX PROBLEM.

When a diesel engine combusts fuel, it produces NOx, a pollutant. It also puts out soot. But if an engine is designed to produce very little soot, it will, in turn, produce even more NOx. This dilemma brought out the best in Volvo’s engineers.

FROM TWO POLLUTANTS TO NEARLY ZERO.

The Volvo D13 SCR solution delivers a highly efficient engine that provides increased fuel efficiency and low particulate emissions. To combat the resultant NOx emissions, the Volvo system injects Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) downstream from the DPF. The exhaust gas combines with the DEF, which turns the NOx into harmless nitrogen gas and water vapor.

WHERE THERE IS DIESEL FUEL, THERE IS DEF.

The DEF is fed into the system from an on-board tank that is simple to fill. Truck stops and fueling stations all across North America—and our Volvo service providers—offer DEF, and the number is growing every day. But you won’t be stopping for DEF very often. While a motorcoach traveling from New York to Los Angeles might need to fill its fuel tank twice, it would make the trip on a single tank of DEF.

LESS SOOT, NO ACTIVE REGENERATION AND GREATER FUEL EFFICIENCY.

The D13 engine’s unparalleled SCR system not only meets environmental regulations, it relieves drivers of concern about regeneration and it also provides improved fuel efficiency over previous D13 engines.

ACTIVE REGENERATION IS A THING OF THE PAST.

A DPF accumulates particulate matter that periodically must be burned off using a process called regeneration. With Volvo’s 2010 SCR technology, this regeneration occurs automatically—and the driver proceeds without even being aware the process is taking place. Under normal driving conditions, there’s never a need to park and perform an “active” regeneration.

FULL EPA COMPLIANCE MAKES LIFE BETTER FOR EVERYONE.

This new system is the only one industry-wide that meets the EPA’s near-zero NOx emissions requirement while at the same time relieving the driver from ever having to worry about active regeneration. It all happens seamlessly.