Seattle Garbage Trucks To Spew Less Garbage Into Air
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 09.13.05
Seattle is on the move! Already a leader in recycling, soon to start recycling/composting food waste on a large scale (we wrote about this here), the city is now cleaning up its garbage truck fleet. Mayor Greg Nickels has announced that the garbage and recycling trucks will upgrade their exhaust by retrofitting diesel oxidation catalysts and start using a blend of ultra-low sulfur diesel (80%) and biodiesel (20%). In the words of Mike from Green Car Congress: "A diesel oxidation catalyst is a flow-through device installed on the exhaust pipe. As exhaust gases pass through it, the catalyst, carbon monoxide, gaseous hydrocarbons and liquid hydrocarbon particles (unburned fuel and oil) oxidize, thereby reducing emissions. When combined with ultra-low sulfur diesel, emissions of fine particulates and toxic air pollutants are reduced by as much as 90%."
If a 90% improvement in emissions can be accomplished without having to buy new trucks, I don't see why cities of all sizes don't jump on the occasion to do something good for their citizens and nature.
We particularly would like to see this done on those old yellow school buses. We have read numerous times that a high amount of particulate matter coming from diesel exhaust is present in the air that children breathe inside and outside the buses.
Here is a study by the Clean Air Task Force on particulate matter in school buses.
Diesel exhaust is a major source of combustion particles that contribute to poor air quality nationwide. Since almost all school buses are operated with diesel engines, diesel engine exhaust can thus also be a source of concern, specifically with regard to exposure to children. Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is a complex and unhealthy mixture of inorganic and organic carbon particles with adhered toxic substances and metals.
::Seattle Converts Garbage Trucks To Cut Pollution , via ::Green Car Congress
What effect does a diesel oxidation catalyst have on pure bio-diesel? On SVO engines? Could this be combined with, say, a bio-diesel/electric hybrid engine?
The Washington State Ferries are also working on the problem by installing more efficient diesel engines. The last time I was out there, I saw a banner on one saying that it was using bio-diesel, probably a mix. They also have a huge oil recycling program, and are in the process of removing creosote-treated wood from Puget Sound.
My Aunt told me that the state has done a lot of cleaning since Tacoma became a Superfund site. This winter she brought me to the peninsula of slag that the ASARCO smelting plant created. The plant was imploded and the whole area, about 70 acres, is now capped with concrete, very sad.
Better, but this vehicle still burns oil. Why not suggest "car-free" totally. Here are photos of a carfree festival's solar twist.
http://www.geocities.com/solarwindvan/DAVIE_DAYS_FEST.html
We are dealing in "PV" Solar Energy Power Projects and have many running on going projects in all states of India. and we are looking for the best manufacturers and suppliers of Solar Operted Air Conditioners and products for the big Indian Markets.
Therefore please list our company name in you panal for supplying the future informations and about the news of your future events globally to enable us to attend and make good business contacts.