BASF launches next-generation PremAir NXT catalytic coating technology for direct ozone reduction
14 January 2015
BASF announced the commercial launch of PremAir NXT, a next-generation direct ozone reduction (DOR) catalytic coating technology for heat exchange surfaces such as radiators that can help automakers meet new US Tier 3 and California LEV III emissions reduction requirements.
When applied to such surfaces, the PremAir NXT solution converts harmful ground-level ozone—the main component of smog—into oxygen—i.e., it converts ground-level ozone already in the air. PremAir NXT builds on the success of BASF’s standard PremAir coating technology, providing increased durability and higher ozone conversion performance over the lifetime of a vehicle.
Because PremAir is a DOR technology, California LEV III has approved the use of PremAir to earn emission reduction credits. Use of PremAir can earn emissions credits that can meet lower fleet average emissions requirements; lower emission bin classification; raise emission catalyst system engineering safety factors; and reduce Platinum Group Metal (PGM) costs.
As the trend continues toward smaller automotive engines and smaller radiators, it’s important to increase the performance of the catalytic coatings that can be used. PremAir NXT meets this challenge, providing a new tool that OEMs can use to help manage their fleet strategy, allowing them to meet the requirements needed to earn emissions credits despite the use of smaller radiators with less coatable surface area.
—Jim Chirumbole, Vice President, BASF Mobile Emissions Catalysts - Americas
US Tier 3 and California LEV III regulations require automotive manufacturers to meet more stringent standards across their entire fleet, eventually achieving a fleet average of 30 milligrams/mile (approx. 19 milligrams/kilometer) of Non-Methane Organic Gases (NMOG) + Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions by 2025.
In addition, these regulations require increased performance and durability for the vehicle emissions control system to 150,000 miles (approx. 240,000 kilometers). PremAir NXT supports these objectives, and provides a 5 milligram/mile credit towards vehicle emissions certification, which is applied to the total emissions of the vehicle over its lifetime.
BASF has more than 10 years of experience with its proprietary PremAir coating technology, which has been used in more than three million vehicles.
If I understand this correctly, you could lower the smog level or at least the ozone level just by driving thru polluted air.
Posted by: sd | 16 January 2015 at 09:29 AM
Most modern cars in Closed-Loop operation do just that, they clean the air around them in places that have air pollution problems...
Its just that cars are often not in closed loop for various reasons such as poor maintance, damage to certain componets, or short trips with a cold motor.
A lawn mower does crazy amounts of damage to the environment as far as NOx, CO, PM, and HC are concerned. Its often >100x worse. Same goes for any 2 stroke, or anything without a catalyst. So yeah, cars may give off CO2, but because of emissions equipment, thats pretty much all it gives off. (Yes there is some PM)
So really, if you look at the big picture for reduced energy consumption/pollution, it starts with the home. The lowest hanging fruit is with home improvements. Second would be all other small engines that are currently not under any emissions standards, and third would be off road equipment, lastly transportation such as cars would be the least effective gains as it is already heavily monitored.
Posted by: CheeseEater88 | 24 January 2015 at 07:55 AM