On November 6, 2015 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new standards for stationary compression ignition internal combustion engines. The proposed standards would allow engine operators to override the emission control system in an emergency situation in order “to protect human life.”

EPA is proposing in this action to allow manufacturers of stationary CI engines certified to the Tier 4 standards to give operators the means to temporarily override inducements, such as those in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) controls while operating in qualified emergency situations. The consumable reactant in an SCR system is typically supplied as a solution of urea in water known as diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). Engines equipped with SCR generally include controls that limit the function of the engines if they are operated without DEF, or if the engine’s electronic control module cannot otherwise confirm that the SCR system is properly operating. Such controls are generally called “inducements” because they induce the operator to properly maintain the SCR emission control system.

While the EPA is confident that DEF is now widely available and easily obtainable across the United States, the EPA is concerned that in emergency circumstances, such as the aftermath of storms like Hurricane Sandy or Hurricane Katrina, there may be a possibility of temporary disruptions in DEF supply, disruptions in communications between operators and service centers, or delays in response time for engine repair service. In an emergency situation, allowing inducements to impact engine performance may endanger human lives for engines that are providing life-saving emergency service, such as engines providing emergency power for a hospital.

To address concerns about stationary CI engines shutting down during emergency situations and endangering human lives, the EPA is proposing in this action to allow manufacturers of stationary CI engines certified to the Tier 4 standards to give operators the means to temporarily override inducements while operating in qualified emergency situations.

What this means to you
EPA is proposing to allow CI engine operators to temporarily override the emission control system in an emergency situation in order “to protect human life.”

MIRATECH can help
Contact MIRATECH to learn about emission control technologies for your compression ignition engine.