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Emissions

Simple, Economical, and Proven to Improve Fuel Economy

Detroit engineers are using our BlueTec® SCR emissions technology to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. We recently achieved greenhouse gas 2014 (GHG14) regulations, a full year ahead of the mandate for certification by The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation’s Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) first-ever program to reduce heavy and medium-duty truck greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

We are proud to be pacing the industry in technologies that not only reduce greenhouse emissions, but also improve fuel economy for our customers. To learn more about our emissions technologies, click on the links below.

BlueTec® SCR Emissions Technology

BlueTec is a complete emissions system that combines exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), selective catalytic reduction (SCR), diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and the diesel particulate filter (DPF) to efficiently meet the EPA 2010 emissions standards. BlueTec treats the exhaust gases downstream of the engine instead of requiring complex changes under the hood. It does this by injecting a small amount of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into the exhaust stream. DEF reacts with the NOx in the SCR catalyst to form nitrogen and water. Then, the nitrogen and water, safe elements in the air we breathe, are released into the environment.

BlueTec SCR emissions technology helps engines perform at their peak. It uses less EGR and DD15® EPA 2010 provides up to 5% better fuel economy compared to our impressive DD15 EPA 2007. This allows our engines to perform at optimal combustion ranges to provide peak power and reduce heat rejection on many of the internal engine components. Another major contributing factor to this improvement is that the engine’s diesel particulate filter (DPF) extends its regeneration intervals. Ultimately, BlueTec SCR leads to better durability, greater reliability, and lower lifecycle costs.

Our engineers agree that SCR is the best choice for fuel-efficient driving because it’s:

  • As simple as filling a tank
  • An up to 5% improvement in fuel economy over EPA 2007 engines
  • Proven through hundreds of millions of miles in North America alone

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How BlueTec SCR Works

The Aftertreatment System

The BlueTec 1-Box Configuration, available only with Detroit engines, combines the SCR catalyst, the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate filter (DPF) and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) into one simple component. Combining all of these systems lowers engine back-pressure, yielding better fuel economy. The system's job is to capture and burn off (regenerate) the particulate matter (soot) in the engine’s exhaust gas. It does this using a DOC and a DPF. By monitoring exhaust gas temperature and system back pressure, DDEC® control module determines when and how additional help is needed to ensure complete regeneration of the soot captured in the DPF.

Active Regeneration

When required, DDEC gets help from two key upstream components that assist in a process called active regeneration.

  1. The Intake Throttle is electronically actuated to help increase the Aftertreatment System temperature, assisting regeneration.
  2. The Dosing Valve injects a mist of diesel fuel into the exhaust system to further increase the Aftertreatment System temperature until satisfactory regeneration is complete.

This process of active regeneration takes about 20 minutes and happens during the normal operation cycle of the vehicle. No manual performance or control changes are necessary.

Stationary Regeneration

Depending on engine duty or application, DDEC may notify the driver that stationary regeneration is necessary. Once the driver begins the forced high-idle regeneration process, it typically finishes in 20-30 minutes.

Maintenance

Maintaining your Aftertreatment System is easy, because we designed it that way. The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) collects ash and will eventually need to be replaced, but the DDEC system will alert you when filter replacement is required, usually between 150,000 to 550,000 miles of operation.

Cleaning the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)

If the DPF needs more extensive service, use the Detroit Genuine Parts Replacement program. Your DPF will be replaced with our signature Detroit Genuine Parts brand, while the old core is sent back to our factory for an extensive proprietary, environmentally friendly washing service.

Aftertreatment Systems need diesel fuel with sulfur content below 15ppm. The higher sulfur content commonly found in fuel may eventually cause damage to your Aftertreatment System by fouling or prematurely plugging the Diesel Particulate Filter. Using the correct fuel is essential to the proper function of your Aftertreatment System, and also lowers emissions.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)

DEF is a simple, non-toxic, inexpensive pre-mixed fluid composed of two-thirds pure water and one-third automotive-grade urea. It’s used as a catalyst by SCR-equipped engines to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. Use one gallon of DEF about every 300 miles. Tanks range in size from 6 to 23 gallons depending on the truck’s application, which means you can go up to 7,000 miles between fill-ups. DEF is sold at thousands of locations throughout North America. To find your nearest DEF location, visit DiscoverDEF.com.

Drive Across the Country and Back

The DEF distribution infrastructure, combined with the fact that you only have to fill your DEF tank once every four times you fill up your rig with fuel, means you’re covered on every corner of North America.

In fact, with a Detroit engine, the BlueTec emissions system is designed to let you go 5,000-7,000 miles between DEF fill-ups. So on one 23-gallon tank of DEF, you can drive from LA to Boston and back.

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