Tier 4 Standards

We have already discussed the EPA’s new emission standards, which dictate that manufacturers must product engines that help  control exhaust emissions. We are now in the final stage of the requirement, Tier 4 Final Standards, which mandates that all  diesel engines that are put into service from 2015 and beyond must adhere to the EPA’s requirements.  Engines must now run  clean and tubes will need to be insulated to work properly. Tier 4 Final affects a variety of industries as diesel engines are used  in trucking, agriculture, road equipment, and more.

In the 1970s, manufacturers put catalytic converters in cars, which reduce unburned hydrocarbons through a catalytic reaction to water and CO2. In order for this process to work the exhaust gases must be kept at high temperature to enable the catalytic reaction.

To help engine manufacturers meet Tier 4 Final standards, Precision Bending now offers insulated Tier 4 Final tubes. The insulation helps ensure that the exhaust is kept hot as it moves through the tractor tubes.

As before, all of our Tier 4 tubes are cleaned to meet the engine manufacturer’s requirements and are packaged in a heat sealed bag to ensure our customers receive a perfectly clean tube.

Reducing emissions and finding ways to produce energy more cleanly has been a priority for manufacturers for years. As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regularly updates requirements to improve the safety and purity of emissions from engines, companies have been scrambling to keep up without sacrificing efficiency.

The latest Tier 4 Final emissions standards apply to both on-road and non-road engines – so many more manufacturers are now impacted by the rules, not just those associated with locomotive equipment like trucks and trains. Now, engines found in power generators and other stationary equipment will be under scrutiny as well. This especially impacts companies working in the oil and gas sector.

The main purpose of Tier 4 Final regulations is to cut back on the amount of particulate matter (PM) by 80% and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 45% more than previous regulations. To meet this requirement, companies such as Cummins have already taken steps by implementing a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment solution for engines. There’s a long line of chemical reactions that go on during this process, and in the end, ammonia and water vapor create the catalytic reaction that results in the reduction of NOx into a harmless gas. Full details on the chain reaction can be found on EngineerLive.

At Precision Bending, we’ve been working with companies to ensure that our tubes meet their requirements for Tier 4 Final standards. This requires the use of Stainless Steel materials and sufficient insulation on the outside of the tube to keep the gases inside hot (extreme heat is an essential component of the catalytic reaction). The number and severity of bends in a tube can impact heat loss, so we make a conscious effort to reduce the number of bends and ensure smooth transitions to retain the most heat possible.

Learn about our tube bending and Tier 4 capabilities and how we can assist you in meeting Tier 4 Final requirements, feel to contact us or call 440-974-2500.