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With thousands of engines still in operation that were produced before emissions regulations were in effect, Caterpillar Marine Power Systems and Caterpillar Emissions Solutions have been working for nearly two years to design engine retrofit kits. These kits will allow customers to upgrade Mechanical Unit Injector (MUI) engines to reduce emissions to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulated levels. The EPA is now focusing on unregulated or prior-tier engines through the Marine Remanufacture Program.

 

“Caterpillar has been recognized for years as the most reliable engine manufacturer in the industry,” says P. Jaime Tetrault, Product Support Director for Caterpillar Marine Power Systems. “This means that our customers are using engines day in and day out for decades with market leading quality and durability. While this is a great value to the customer, Caterpillar is committed to ensuring that customers have the opportunity to continue their reliable operations, comply with regulatory requirements, and reduce their overall environmental footprint.”

 

 

Testing of the engine retrofit kits has been taking place throughout the United States supported in part by government grants. This money has supported three private marine operators in the overhaul, upgrade, and testing of their engines all in verification of emissions reductions. The vessel operators have reported positive responses to the engines by reducing smoke and emissions output with positive impacts on vessel performance.

 

“Despite the variety of technologies which could be used to affect the requisite reductions in particulate matter, Caterpillar believes the engine retrofit option will prove most beneficial to our customers,” notes Terry Sears, Caterpillar Emissions Solutions Product Manager. “By upgrading a mechanical engine to an electronic engine, the operator will gain smoother operation, easier diagnostics, and improved fuel economy above and beyond reducing emissions. The ease of installation is also another win because the entire retrofit can be accomplished in hull without major modification of the design or structure of the vessel.”

 

Retrofit kits will be available through the Cat global dealer network beginning later in 2010.

 

 

 

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems, with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, groups all the marketing and service activities for Cat and MaK marine engines within Caterpillar Inc. The organization provides premier power solutions in the medium- and high-speed segments with outputs from 93 to 16,000 kW in main propulsion and 10 to 7,680 kWe in marine generator sets. The sales and service network includes more than 2,100 dealer locations world-wide dedicated to support customers in ocean-going, commercial marine and pleasure craft wherever they are.

 

 

 

Cat Emissions Solutions provides engineered exhaust emission reduction solutions as well as awareness and support of the ever-changing emissions compliance challenges. In turn, this supports green initiatives that deliver sustainable solutions to support customers. The group offers cost effective solutions while meeting challenging national, state, local and site emissions restrictions. They maintain a solid vision and mission to continue as the leader in providing Aftermarket Emissions Solutions for Caterpillar customers as well as a complete range of products, services, and processes for the best economic solutions for customers' needs.

 

 

 

 

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