Diesel Progress
System Assumes Broader Market Scope
By Mike Osenaga
November 2001- Responding to current and future changes in the industrial gaseous-fueled engine markets, especially with 2004 EPA/CARB certification requirements looming larger on the horizon, ImpcoTechnologies, Inc. said it has “updated its industrial focus,” placing sales and marketing responsibility for both gas engine packages and complete fuel systems with its Sterling Heights, Mich., Engine Systems Division (ESD).
Brad Garner, general manager of ESD, indicated that, “This change will give our industrial customer base a single point of contact for the entire sales, logistics and after-sales support process.”
In its new role, ESD is responsible for sales, marketing and distribution of Impco gas engine packages including certified fuel delivery systems and service parts, and electronic engine management systems, including the new Spectrum series off next-generation gaseous-fuel systems.
Garner said ESD now possesses the certification, manufacturing and systems integration technology to support its global manufacturing and product strategy for industrial and power generation. Toward this end, Impco is one of the first companies to receive approval from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for industrial engine emission certification, Garner said. ESD has received an executive order for an Emissions Certified Engine package under California’s new emissions regulation affecting off-road large spark ignited engines used in industrial equipment applications.
The new CARB regulation requires engines used in industrial equipment to meet low-emission levels using closed-loop fuel systems and catalytic converters and to meet durability requirements in the form of an extended emissions warranty.
Adding the fuel systems strategy strengthens the ESD portfolio and its capabilities as an industrial gas engine integrator to equipment OEMs, Garner ignited nonroad engines for off-highway motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles comprise the second group.
Spark-ignited marine engines and on-highway motorcycle regulations are expected to follow within a few months. Plus EPA said it is requesting comment on its intention to propose standards for spark-ignition sterndrives and inboard engines as some future date, after completion of a technology study currently underway in California and expected to be completed within several years.
EPA said it is using California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions standards engines as the basis for proposing federal standards for these. EPA added that further engine testing and a concern for off-cycle emissions led the agency to propose several provisions in addition to those adopted by CARB. Most notably, this includes more stringent emission to more accurately reflect the in-use deterioration of emission control; transient duty-cycle ad associated emission standards; basic engine diagnostic requirements; and measures to reduce evaporative emissions from gasoline-fueled equipment.
By EPA’s estimates, complying with these standards will cost about $600 per engine for the recreational diesels and large spark-ignition engines and $50 to $200 per engine for snowmobiles and less than $100 for engines used in ATVs.