Truckworld

Hino bus product manager Kevin Fielding with an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculating) equipped Hino RK8J.

Hino's latest range of buses are now equipped with Hino's Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, a pivotal feature in complying with ADR 80/02 emission standards.

Since 1 January 2008, all new heavy vehicles must be fitted with Australian Design Rule (ADR) 80/02-compliant engines.

The Hino EGR system mixes exhaust gases with the air intake to reduce combustion temperature and slow down combustion in the cylinder via an electronically-controlled and water-cooled exhaust gas recirculation valve.

The system significantly reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

A cooler is set in the path of the EGR, which further decreases the combustion temperature, reducing NOx emissions compared with non-cooled EGR systems.

Hino FD 230, RK8J and RN8J buses are all equipped with EGR.

All three buses are powered by Hino's 7.7-litre J08E engine.

The FD 230 is powered by a 168kW common-rail turbo diesel engine producing 686Nm of torque, while the RN8J and RK8J is equipped with a higher power rating of 190kW and 794Nm of torque (all ISO Net).

The alternate emission control system to EGR is SCR - Selective Catalytic Reduction.
The SCR system, however, needs a separate tank mounted on the vehicle which needs to be regularly filled with a urea product that is injected into the exhaust chamber.

"The EGR system is a fuss-free technology that is very effective in minimising emissions and thus complies with ADR80/02," said Kevin Fielding, manager bus product, Hino Australia.

The number of filling stations for SCR-equipped buses is limited, or requires the installation of filling tanks at depots.

"Compared to SCR, which requires the topping up of a separate tank in order to control emissions to adhere to ADR 80/02, EGR requires no additional input from the operator except for filling up on diesel - it's simply turn the key and go."

Hino does not use the SCR system in its bus or truck range.

Hino's line-up of EGR-equipped vehicles was recently bolstered with three new SS 700 heavy-duty trucks.