Turtle Island Energy claims to have made "the world's first sulfur powered vehicle." According to the video above, the vehicle was built for $2,000 with "readily available parts." The sulfur is used to produce hydrogen which fuels the internal combustion engine of the pickup truck. The sulfur "fuel cell" is made up of molten sulfur, powdered graphite with a copper and aluminum strip electrode in vats. The hydrogen created from the oxidizing sulfur is piped to a storage container and then to the motor. Why is Sulfur Island Energy doing this? According to the website "The era of plentiful, low-cost petroleum is approaching an end. The goodnews is that commercially viable mitigation options are ready for implementation." Sulfur is an alternative fuel?

[Source: YouTube]

Today marks the beginning of Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel production for off-road use. By December 1, it will available everywhere for fueling road construction, marine, agricultural and mining equipment. The nation's refineries are now producing the diesel, which has 85 percent less sulfur, decreasing its content from 3,000 to 500 parts per million. In the next three years, sulfur content will decrease to a mere 15 parts per million. The diesel engine truly is the "workhorse of the American economy" because of its durability, power, efficiency, and safety. Interestingly, nearly 100 percent of all road construction equipment runs on diesel. This will then dramatically reduce industrial equipment and vehicle emissions.

Clean diesel has been available for highway use since last year, and has dramatically reduced the emissions of existing diesel engines. In addition, new technologies like BlueMotion reduce it even more. Diesel is well on its way to becoming the most popular alternative fuel. How long it keeps its lead, though, is anyone's guess.

[Source: Diesel Technology Forum]

Diesel Technology Forum has released a new PDF white paper designed to give diesel users a comprehensive overview of how diesel technology and regulations are changing to reduce diesel emissions. Covered are the new diesel emissions standards and the introduction of Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD), as well as a number of techniques that can be used for upgrading existing diesel engines to reduce emissions.

Three interdependent components are discussed as the basis for a clean diesel system; the use of ULSD fuel which not only greatly reduces sulphur emissions but can also reduce particulate matter by up to 10 percent; new engine technology with redesigned combustion chambers, common rail fuel injection systems and variable geometry turbos that greatly reduces particulate matter and NOx emissions; and emissions control technologies including diesel oxidation catalysts, selective catalytic reduction devices, lean NOx catalysts, exhaust gas recirculation, and active diesel particulate filters. When combined, these three components usher in a new era of clean diesels which emit 98 percent less particulate matter and NOx in 2007 models than 1988 levels.

For existing diesel vehicle owners, the five Rs of retrofitting are also discussed; Rebuild core engine components every three to four years; Refuel using ULSD and/or biodiesel; Retrofit exhaust emissions control technologies; Repower older engines with new or newer diesel engines; and Replace entire old, heavily emitting vehicles and equipment with new models. Sections on Implementation Criteria for successful retrofitting projects, Incentives And Funding Resources, and Sample Retrofit Projects rounds out the paper.

Hopefully large diesel fleet owners will take heed of the advice offered in this white paper and look at implementing their own retrofitting projects to improve the emissions output of the dirtiest diesels on and off the road today.

Related:

• Biodiesel standard tests begin in Canada
• Onboard diagnostics promoted by EPA
• Is your diesel tank really getting ULSD fuel?

[Source: DieselNet]

For months you've been hearing us talk about the impending introduction of the new low-sulfur diesel fuel throughout the country on October 15, though, mostly in regards to ushering in Mercedes' BlueTec engine. Keep in mind that the new fuel will also have a major impact on the 8 million diesel-powered trucks that move 94 percent of the nation's goods and the 500,000 diesel commuter buses.

In a press release, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Diesel Technology Forum (DTF) say that the new fuel will immediately cut soot emissions from any diesel engine by about 10 percent while drivers of new diesel trucks with advanced emissions controls will realize tailpipe pollution reductions of up to 95 percent. Owners of existing diesel vehicles will have the option to install add-on components that can reduce soot emissions by more than 90 percent. Richard Kassel, head of NRDC's Clean Fuels and Vehicles Project, says that in many ways the ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel is similar to the removal of lead from gasoline a generation ago as sulfur hampers exhaust-control devices in much the same way lead once impeded the effectiveness of catalytic converters.

[Source: Natural Resources Defense Council and Diesel Technology Forum]