A US construction contractor has cut operating costs and environmental impact on a current project thanks to the use of a platinum-based combustion catalyst.

Stante Excavating is currently working on a sewer pipe extension project, where difficult conditions have seen the scheme's completion date exceed the original target of October.

However, through using a Cat 345 excavator, a Cat 385 excavator and a Cat D8 dozer fitted with Combustion Catalyst systems, the firm has been able to mitigate the kind of spiralling costs that would ordinarily accrue on over-running projects.

Mario Stante, treasurer for Stante Excavating, told reedconstructiondata.com: "I would say we're getting approximately [a] ten per cent reduction in fuel consumption.

"The 385 probably burns approximately 280 gallons in a 12-hour day and if we save 28 gallons per day at $3 per gallon that's quite a saving."

The Combustion Catalyst System is manufactured by Emissions Technology and is distributed by Diesel Technologies, whose president Steve Lawson said that such savings were standard when the technology was applied.

He said: "This system injects a patented platinum-based airborne catalyst into the air intake system of an engine. The catalyst reacts with the hydrocarbons in the fuel and reduces emissions.

"A byproduct of that process is an improvement in the efficiency of the engine that, depending on the application, can translate into fuel savings ranging from eight per cent to 15 per cent."

Source:
Sewer Project Involves Difficult Conditions, 15/10/07
http://www.acppubs.com/article/CA6490908.html

PGM catalyst making fuel savings 04/01/07
http://www.platinum.matthey.com/media_room/1167908404.html


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