Author: Tom Zeller Jr. and Norman Mayersohn
Publication Date: Tom Zeller Jr and Norman Mayersohn
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/05/business/energy-environment/05truck.html?_r=1&ref=airpollution
Summary: Navistar, truck maker company, has come up with a new engine to release less Nitrogen oxide. Nitrogen oxide is a main cause of smog to occur. In 2o10, all truck companies had to make all new engines being made to release nearly zero limits of nitrogen oxide levels. Navistar decided to go a different route and make an engine that releases a nuetralized level of nitrogen oxide. They claim that the new add on technology that has be required is so flawed that it does not meet clean air requirements. However, even this newly developed engine has a flaw of its own. Reducing the temperature combustion will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, but doing this will increase soot. Soot levels can be reduced by alternating the timing of combustion, but that raises fuel consumption. If this new engine is approved by the EPA, then it will be up to other truck companies to buy this product to reduce smog from occuring.
The picture shows the new engine being tested in Navistar.
http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2011/04/05/business/Truckjp.html
Opinion: I think this is a great idea to lower the chances of smog occuring. Not only will this engine benefit to less smog but it will also help the environment be less polluted. Also this engine is like a new alternative engery to keep our environment clean. Using this engine can help decrease the chances of a smog as bad as the one in Denora from ever happening again. I remember learning in class that the Denora smog happening from too many pollutants being released in the air from factories and vehicles. This new engine can be a very big step to reducing air pollution.
Questions:
1) Do you think this engine is a good idea?
2) If you were another truck company would you buy this engine from Navistar?
3) Do you think the increased release of soot could be a problem to our environment?
I think that this is a very serious issue about diesel powered vehicles and the environment. Yes, we all know that gas emissions are bad for the environment, but what do the gas particulates do to our health? That is why many trucking companies are deciding to invest in new things and create more efficient trucks that do not let off as much pollutants. A major trucking company, NaviStar is planning to create a new engine that reaches the EPA’s standard of minimal amounts of Nox in the air. Other companies have found other solutions that do not cost as much, but are not as simple. I think that this engine could hold the future for how clean our air quality is. The way that this ties into my life is that in class we are learning about the harmful pollutants and what contributes to ozone and trucks are pretty high up there. If we can fix this problem and limit the amount of pollutants coming out of these vehicles, our environment would be much better off. All in all, I think that it is great that people are putting in the time to meet the EPA’s requirements and hopefully we see a cleaner Earth.
ReplyDeleteExpansion: http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/cleaner-trucks-and-buses Good website about diesel powered vehicles and how they can make the environment cleaner.
Questions Answers:
(Answer to #1): Yes, I think that this engine could potentially work. This new and redesigned engine releases minimal NOx, however, it is very expensive to purchase.
(Answer to #3): Yes, the increased presence of soot from lowering the time of combustion would have a major impact on the environment, as it already does today.
3 Questions:
1. How does the engine work?
2. Who designed the engine?
3. What are the current engines used and are there and trucking companies that currently have trucks using alternative sources?
Opinion:
ReplyDeleteI think that this is an interesting topic. It is good that they are looking for engines that lower the risks of smog occurrence, but I think that there are other things that should be put before this such as creating trucks that are not pollutants. This relates to what we were learning about in science because we learned about Denora and the smog incident that killed so many. It is great that we are looking for ways to prevent an accident like this from ever happening again. I agree that this is a major step forward in decreasing air pollution, and I think we should continue making advancements such as this one.
Answers:
1) Yes I think that this engine is a good idea because it can help to decrease pollution.
2) I would buy this if it is reasonably priced because it helps the environment. I would like to see how well it works first.
Expansion:http://ir.navistar.com/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=401400
This article explains how President Obama wants Navistar to look into clean vehicles.
Questions:
1)How much does this engine cost?
2)Does this engine work as well?
3)Who's idea is this engine?
Opinion:
ReplyDeleteHmmm this is interesting. As I'm sure everyone will say,this will be great for our environment. It will help stop smog and we'll have cleaner air. But the question is, will it work properly? Annette, you mentioned in your summary that even though this does decrease the chance of smog, it increases the chance of soot. Now my question is: which is worse, smog or soot? I think that if the truck companies and scientists work together and do further research, this could be a great device for the environment. This ties into my personal life because this morning, on the way to school, I was behind a big truck. As the truck drove, I saw a big black ugly cloud of smoke come out of its exhaust pipe. Hopefully this new engine will help this cause.
Questions I ask:
1. Which is worse, smog or soot?
2. How expensive would this device be?
3. How soon is going to be ready for most trucks to use?
Answers to Questions:
1. With further testing and research, this could be a great invention in our trucks.
3. It very well could be. I would have to look further into the effects and differences of soot and smog, but this could be even worse.
Opinion: I also think this is a good thing. With a lesser amount of harmful pollutants being emitted from vehicles, there will be a rapid change to the air. First of all, like the article stated, less nitrogen oxide can reduce the number off smog occurrences. Another (but rather general) change is a cleaner environment. It will help many things out. However, there is a greater output of soot. Personally in my life, ever since I learned what it was, I thought it was disgusting. Then I noticed it coming out of trucks everywhere and this will just encourage one of my most hated things.
ReplyDeleteGraphic + Extension: http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/content/kitchenscience/exp/silver-from-soot/
This webpage has a basic soot explanation. The text, video and pictures really help illustrate why it is disgusting.
Answers:
1) Yes, since it helps one thing, but now we just created another problem.
2) Maybe not yet, because I would wait until it strikes people that they absolutely NEED a more energy and healthier way of life.
3) Definitely, the more that builds up in our environment, the harder it will be to get rid of it.