- Wuhan bus equipped with BASF catalyst demonstrates cost-efficient emission-control solution; automotive catalysts can improve air quality in Wuhan
October 23, 2009
Wuhan, China, October 23, 2009 - Unlike most of the buses running on Wuhan’s roads, the
official bus for the Germany and China – Moving
Ahead Together” initiative meets stringent Stage IV national
emissions standards - showcasing an important technology that can
help reduce pollution in Wuhan and improve the air quality of the
city.
The bus will demonstrate the vital role catalysts play in
meeting future emission limits in the city of Wuhan. The vehicle is
powered by a Yuchai Euro IV engine equipped with a
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalyst emission-control
solution from BASF which removes nitrogen oxides from tailpipe
exhaust gas to meet Stage IV national emission standards. This
emission-control technology was first
successfully demonstrated in China for public transportation at
the Beijing Olympics.
The Stage IV emission-controlled bus is a showcase for Wuhan and
will be used to transport visitors to the German-Chinese Promenade
at Sanyang Square, Hankou Jiangtan Park, from October 23 to 31. The
Promenade is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of citizens
by creating a unique festive experience of cultural, educational
and technological exchange aimed at promoting partnership in
sustainable urban development.
The Chinese government has been taking steps in the past years
to reduce pollution and thereby enhance air quality, creating a
growing need for advanced emission-control solutions. Based on many
years of experience in Europe and North America and through local
manufacturing and research and development facilities in Shanghai,
BASFprovides cost-effective regulatory compliance solutions to the
Chinese market for light-duty gasoline and diesel engines,
heavy-duty diesel engines, motorcycles and small engines.
"In close cooperation with our customers in China, we
optimize our catalysts as an integral part of the respective
engine. These efforts result in state-of-the-art vehicles that have
a significantly reduced impact on the environment”, says Lothar
Laupichler, Director Mobile Emission Catalysts, Asia-Pacific. “The
bus in Wuhan is another milestone in China to demonstrate efficient
mobility and cleaner air.”
Mobile emission catalysts – a quantum step for emission
reduction
In 1974, BASF commercialized the mobile automotive catalytic
converter. Since then, over one billion tons of pollutants –
hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides – have been
eliminated. In particular BASF’s Three-Way Catalysts (TWC) have
enabled a dramatic reduction in emissions. It would take about 100
of today’s cars to equal the pollution from one pre-1974 car.
A new segment in China is heavy-duty diesel emission control.
BASF has developed Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technologies
to meet nitrogen oxides (NOx) mobile emissions regulations around
the globe. SCR technology can result in a 3 to 8 percent
improvement in fuel efficiency, because the engine itself can be
optimized in terms of fuel consumption whereas the catalyst as part
of the system ensures emission reduction. As another advantage, the
system does not require ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel. The SCR
catalyst comprises a catalytically active component coated on a
ceramic honeycomb. When a reductant, such as BASF’s
AdBlue® urea solution, is added to the system, the
catalyst promotes a chemical reaction that converts NOx into water
and nitrogen.
Editor’s note: Press release and photos can be downloaded here:
http://www.asiapacific.basf.com/apw/AP/AsiaPacific/en_GB/portal/show-content/upload/NewReleaseCover/Wuhan_bus
About “Germany and China – Moving Ahead
Together”
The “Germany and China – Moving Ahead Together” initiative was
announced on August 27, 2007, in Beijing by the German Chancellor
Angela Merkel and the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. The
initiative is being organized by the German Foreign Office in close
cooperation with the Goethe-Institut as project coordinator, the
“Germany – Land of Ideas” initiative and the Asia-Pacific Committee
of German Business (APA). “Germany and China – Moving Ahead
Together” enjoys the joint patronage of Federal President Horst
Köhler and Chinese President Hu Jintao. More information about the
initiative can be found at www.germany-and-china.com.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical
Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and
performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as
well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers
in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its
high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an
important role in finding answers to global challenges such as
climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF
posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had
approximately 97,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further
information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.