May 1, 2008 12:00 PM

Detroit Diesel has chosen Daimler's BlueTec selective catalytic reduction (SCR) clean diesel engine technology to help it meet the upcoming stringent US EPA 2010 emissions standards for heavy-duty truck engines.

The BlueTec system treats the downstream exhaust with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), also known as urea, a common nitrogen-containing compound. This fluid works with the heat of the exhaust and a catalyst to convert nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions into harmless levels of pure nitrogen and water vapor, said Mike Delaney, senior vice president of marketing of Daimler Trucks North America, of which Detroit Diesel is a division.

“Detroit Diesel worked with other Daimler companies to develop and build the North American version of the BlueTec system to meet EPA 2010 standards,” he said.

“Built upon the experience of its European counterparts, SCR is proven technology that requires DEF refilling only about every 5,000 to 6,000 miles per 20-gallon tank under typical highway duty cycles.”

Delaney said the BlueTec system with SCR technology “is projected to increase fuel efficiency by about 3% to 5%. Reduced fuel consumption means reduced emissions overall.”