New Delhi: The vehicular filtration industry will have to turn to innovation to keep pace with the automotive sector as it adapts to tightening emissions norms and the shift to alternative fuels.
In the face of escalating urbanization and a burgeoning number of vehicles on the roads, automotive emissions persist as a significant contributor to air pollution globally. Governments worldwide are responding by intensifying efforts to establish ever-stricter emission standards.
India’s bold leap from Bharat Stage IV directly to Bharat Stage VI norms exemplifies a concerted effort to curb emissions. However, with an existing fleet of 326.3 million vehicles and annual sales projected to approach 11 million by 2030, according to estimates from IIT Kanpur, emissions from road transport remain high, with vehicles generating a substantial 290 gigagrams of particularly harmful PM2.5 each year. The commercial vehicle fleets are still dependent on diesel as a shift to electric mobility isn’t a viable option as of now.
Now, considering the evolving scenario where Europe is moving towards Euro VII standards, India will need to explore advancements beyond Stage VI norms and the vehicular filtration industry will be pivotal in assisting automakers to meet these increasingly stringent regulations.
Filtration technology
Filtration technology plays a key role by incorporating advanced filters into various engine systems, viz. Air, Lube and Fuel, to effectively contain contaminants harmful for performance and life of the engines. The filters need to ensure they not only help engine manufacturers to meet the regulation norms, but also sustain and enhance the overall performance of the vehicle over its lifetime. They also play a role in reducing the overall total cost of ownership (TCO) for the fleet owners. Given the increasing costs of fuel and lubricants, innovations today have allowed for extended service intervals allowing vehicles to operate more efficiently, thereby reducing maintenance frequency and controlling overall operating costs.
Innovations in the vehicular emission control systems focus on reducing generation of harmful emissions enhancing pollutant capture efficiency with DPF and conversion of harmful NOx emissions using SCR method. In SCR systems, to guarantee optimum efficiency in urea filters, manufacturers are concentrating on enhancing the design and components utilized in filters. For example, the introduction of sophisticated filter media with high filtration capacity and efficiency helps extend the filter’s life. Furthermore, there’s a growing trend toward urea filter integration of sensor technologies. The vehicle’s control system receives real-time data from these sensors, which track the diesel exhaust fluid’s (DEF) quality.
Advanced materials
Innovations in materials, such as ceramics, enable the manufacturing of filters capable of efficiently capturing particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons within their pores, thus minimizing the environmental impact of vehicular emissions.
The pursuit of tighter emissions standards necessitates a parallel thrust in research and development to usher in the next wave of advanced engine and filtration technologies.
Exploring the potential of advanced materials like nanofibers and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) adds to the industry’s arsenal, with nanofiber filters exhibiting exceptional filtration efficiency due to their large surface area and tiny pores.
Persisting challenges
Despite these strides, challenges persist. They include the difficulty of incorporating sophisticated filters into already-designed vehicles, the need for smaller designs with increased service life that require careful consideration of both space efficiency and filtration efficacy, possible effects on engine performance and fuel economy, and worries about long-term durability and effective regeneration. These frequently result in higher manufacturing costs.
Today, the industry is showing a growing interest in hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen ICE technologies. Given medium and heavy-duty trucks are a major source of CO2 emissions, the transportation sector’s journey to destination zero is trying to adapt to both these technologies. With this change, it is important for the filtration industry also to adapt to the new requirements of these future technologies.
The filtration requirements are even more stringent in hydrogen fuel based vehicles as the air intake in the vehicle must be thoroughly cleaned of airborne particles. Fuel cells react sensitively to salts, nitrous oxides or compounds with sulphur or ammonia, which can enter the process via the intake air. Effective filtration is therefore essential in order to protect the sensitive components and ensure greater safety. This ensures longevity and high performance for such vehicles. Thus, the filtration technology plays a crucial role as the industry shifts towards a greener future with alternative fuel technologies.
The vehicular filtration industry stands at the forefront of addressing the critical challenges posed by evolving emissions norms.
While significant strides have been made, on-going research, real-world testing, and a commitment to overcoming the existing challenges will be essential for the widespread adoption and effectiveness of advanced filtration technologies.
As the industry continues to innovate, it holds the promise of not only meeting regulatory requirements but also contributing to a cleaner and healthier future for the global automotive landscape.
(Disclaimer: Niranjan Kirloskar is Managing Director of Fleetguard Filters Private Limited. Views are personal)
