THE IMPACT OF NEW REGULATIONS
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EMISSIONS REGULATIONS Increasingly stringent emissions standards play a more prominent role in purchasing strategies for new engines. Ideally, anyone buying equipment carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic today should think about regulatory compounds (VOCs) and hazardous compliance considerations as well as air pollutants (HAPs) have challenged asset life, technological fit and mobility the natural gas industry to reduce levels requirements. An effective buying of these substances during operation. strategy factors in the true cost of EPA intends to propose a revised ozone standard which could be implemented • The EPA intends to propose a revised ozone standard which could be implemented as early as 2014. regulation isn’t currently planned, the standards as well as anticipating • Methane is a significant greenhouse gas and rich-burn engines emit much less methane than lean-burn engines. meeting current and future compliance CARBON FOOTPRINT & HAPS • Mandated NOx levels are trending lower, reaching 0.5 g/BHP-hr and below. as early as 2014. This will indirectly affect As new rounds of emissions regulations go into effect, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new emissions • These restrictive emissions standards on NOx force lean-burn engines to increase the amount of air in the air/fuel ratio, which can deteriorate the quality of the combustion. COST EFFICIENCY • Rich-burn engines operate with a wide margin for both knock and misfire, allowing a high tolerance for fuel composition • As NOx approaches 0.5 g/BHP-hr and below, rich-burn engines can operate more cost effectively than lean-burn engines. standards for nitrogen oxides (NOx), Current EPA Regulations were implemented in 2010 GE Power & Water Gas Engines • Using SCR technology, with urea as a reductant, to further lower NOx emissions from lean-burn engines can increase the carbon footprint. • Of all the Hazardous Air Pollutants, formaldehyde is one that should be addressed and minimized as much as possible. • Because lean-burn engines operate at lower combustion temperatures, up to 10 times more formaldehyde can be NO2 LEVEL • Much less of a percentage of NOx than lean burn. State requirements may exceed federal regulations Although current federal regulations are When you’re talking larger horsepower as shown above, some states will enact applications, lean-burn engines offer even more stringent requirements. For good power density. Fuel efficiency example, states that currently have has traditionally been an advantage severe non-attainment status have for lean-burn engines. However, begun mandating NOx levels of 0.5 g/ to mandate lower NOx levels, large fleets are particularly impacted, fuel consumption can increase where mobility is critical, as is application levels near 0.5 g/BHP-hr, the fuel plan ahead. stay ahead. We understand that engine purchases represent a considerable as emissions standards continue BHP-hr and even lower. Companies with Get long-term results with GE’s Waukesha gas engines consumption difference between lean-burn and rich-burn combustion investment―one that you must weigh carefully. We welcome the opportunity to help plan for your future. For additional information, email marketing.department@ge.com or contact your Waukesha gas engines representative. How regulations, efficiency and carbon footprint affect engine choice. GE Power & Water 1101 West St. Paul Avenue Waukesha, WI 53188-4999 P: 1.262.547.3311 F: 1.262.549.2759 Visit us at: www.ge-waukesha.com ©2012 General Electric Company All rights Rese

Evaluating rich-burn and lean-burn engines GE’s Waukesha* gas engines are designed to perform reliably in isolated, mission-critical and demanding applications. Featuring durable design and greater efficiency In the course of working toward lower emissions, efficiency can be affected. More and more, achieving higher efficiency while reducing emissions is a key objective. carbon footprint Measuring the environmental impact of an installation involves many variables, with some factors playing a bigger role than others. Rich-burn engines use a Three-Way Catalyst (TWC), also known as Non-Selective...