About 2010 Emissions Standards - Blue Bird D3RE 2014 Driver's Handbook Manual

About 2010 Emissions Standards

Buses equipped with 2010 diesel engines are designed to conform to stringent fed-
eral emissions standards. These standards affect both the equipment installed at the
factory and the fuel at the pump.
Buses powered by 2010 emissions standards engines are equipped with special
exhaust systems to reduce emissions. The technical details of the systems employed
by various engine manufacturers differ, but share common general principles. The
exhaust muffler is replaced by a diesel particulate filter which traps and burns micro-
scopic particles in a process referred to as "regeneration. " When heat in the exhaust is
insufficient to fully burn the particulates, the system enters an "active" regeneration
mode so the necessary catalytic reaction can take place. During active regeneration
events, exhaust temperatures are elevated, and an indicator light on the instrument
panel illuminates when the bus is below 5 mph to notify the Driver that regeneration
is active. This regeneration mode is automatic and normal, and requires no special
action on the part of the Driver. If driving conditions have resulted in insufficient ac-
tive regeneration then a "manual" regeneration may be required to clean the filter. If
this condition occurs an indicator will alert the driver and a maintenance technician
should be notified.
Removing particulate matter (soot) from the exhaust stream through regenera-
tion alone will not satisfy the more stringent 2010 emission standard. This standard
requires reduced levels of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx). To achieve this a Selective Catalytic
Reduction system (SCR) is added downstream of the diesel particulate filter. The SCR
system uses a chemical reactant – Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) – which converts to
ammonia in the exhaust stream and reacts with NOx to form harmless nitrogen gas
and water.
Fuel Requirements: As part of the 2007 emissions standards, effective October
15, 2006 the EPA has required fuel retailers to sell lower-emission fuel, designated
"ultra-low-sulfur diesel". After that date, all commercially-available number 1 and
number 2 highway diesel fuels are Ultra-low-sulfur diesel. This fuel must be used
in all 2014 model buses powered by a diesel engine, as indicated by a decal located
near the fuel filler door, reading:
Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel Only.
For detailed information on recommended fuels and other fluids, always follow your
engine manufacturer's guidlines. Also see, Cummins Bulletin No. 3379001.
This engine must be operated only with low sulfur diesel fuel (that is, diesel fuel
meeting EPA specifications for highway diesel fuel, including a 15 ppm sulfur cap).
INTRODUCTION
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