Re: Clogged cat?

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <007d01be4e73$5b3bbdc0$2d51aacc@oemcomputer> mlcmlc@enter.net writes:

> This long standing problem has recently been solved by the design of what
> are termed regenerating particulate traps.  The company I work for is based
> in England and they are making these types of systems to be retro fitted to
> all buses and large trucks over there, regardless of the age of the vehicle.
> I bet our Mr. Phil P. probably knows about this.

I read the posts about air quality in European cities.  Bear in mind
two things - catalytic converters have been mandated here since 1991
and the majority of miles driven in petrol-fuel cars are now done in
cat-equipped vehicles; also (for tax reasons) diesels are _very_
popular here.  Turbo diesels even more so.

The supposed problem with our air is these particulates - there are
studies showing that childhood asthma (a serious problem in some cities)
is directly related to particulate density.  I suspect our recent US
visitors have been sniffing _this_, and not petrol combustion products.

The new diesel emission test causes controversy - the engine must be
held at the rev limit in neutral during the measurements, and very many
older engines are exploding during the test.  Every test station I've
been in has a disclaimer stating that engine damage occuring during the
test is not the test station's responsibility.

The ultimate worst place to be is not a city street, but the outside
lane of a motorway in still air towards the top of a hill.  Just about
all SUVs and at least half of new company cars are turbo-diesels - you
see _huge_ plumes coming out of new or nearly-new vehicles.  Yesterday,
going down the M4 towards High Wycombe, I actually had to back off from
a stream of these particulate pumps and seek a spot of clean air.

--
 Phil Payne
 Phone: 0385 302803   Fax: 01536 723021
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