Higher Gasoline Prices and Tougher EPA Regulations Fuels Growth for Clean Diesel Technology Company in Medway, MA

When gasoline prices soar, motorists look to alternatives and, in Europe, the choice is increasingly diesel, says clean diesel technology expert Klaus Peter, President of Medway, MA-based Rypos, Inc. Diesels extract more power from a gallon of fuel, reduce green-house gases and are a proven technology. Rypos has developed and tested technology that removes up to 90% of soot from diesel emissions.

(PRWEB) April 18, 2005 -- In Europe, where gasoline sells for over twice US prices, fuel-efficient diesel cars and vans are a growth industry. From the two-seater Smart Car to luxury Passats and an award-winning Jaguar, a third of Europes new car buyers pick diesel over gas -- not only for fuel efficiency -- but for extra power and pep as well.

With gasoline topping $2 a gallon, US auto experts are taking a fresh look at the advantages of diesel passenger vehicles. "Unlike hybrids, diesel is a here-today, proven technology and a viable alternative to gas-electric or diesel-electric hybrids whose costly batteries eventually have to be replaced. Diesels get more power from a gallon of fuel, emit fewer greenhouse gases, and are virtually indestructible and cheap to maintain. Due largely to electronics, todays diesel engines are quieter, cleaner and more fuel-efficient and powerful than those Americans were introduced to during the 1970s gas crisis," says Klaus Peter, founder and president of Rypos, Inc., Medway, MA.

In Europe one in every three new cars sold is diesel powered. In Austria and Belgium diesel passenger vehicles are a substantial majority and, in France, 54 percent of passenger cars are diesel.

Diesel Cars Present Growth Potential in US
Rypos is targeting the market for large diesel generators, marine engines, locomotives and big earth moving equipment. Many of these engines will have to be retrofit to meet US and Cal -EPA Regulations. The original equipment market is growing. The number of diesel generators produced annually is about 94,500 and increasing at 11 percent annually says Diesel Progress.

With mass production, the cost of the Rypos DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) can be cut sufficiently to make it practical as original equipment on diesel passenger vehicles. The market potential is extraordinary. Peter points out, "In Europe one in every three new cars sold is diesel powered. In Austria and Belgium diesel passenger vehicles are a substantial majority and, in France, 54 percent of passenger cars are diesel."

According to Diesel Forum, advanced European diesel passenger vehicles get 20-40 percent better fuel economy than gasoline powered vehicles. A 30-percent market penetration of light-duty diesel cars and trucks would decrease US crude oil imports by 350,000 barrels a day.

RYPOS Technology Presented at US-DOE Symposia
US-EPA and often-tougher California-EPA regulations, together with voluntary compliance incentives, are driving demand for clean-diesel technology among engine makers such as Cummins, Detroit Diesel and Caterpillar. US Department of Energy (DOE) encourages clean diesel power; organizing an annual Diesel Engine Emission Reduction (DEER) conference that draws 520 top scientists and engineers. DOE also invites European carmakers to showcase their hottest diesel offerings at these symposia. Rypos has been presented its technology at previous DEER conferences; next conference is slated for August 21-25 in Chicago.

How this Active Filter Works
The Rypos DPF is made of porous sintered metal mesh that looks like compressed steel wool and acts like a resistance heater. Electrical current, generated by the engine, passes through the mesh heating it to periodically burn off soot. Automated circuitry monitors the process by measuring backpressure and cleans the filter as needed. The Rypos DPF removes up to 90 percent of soot while using one percent of engine output. It works in concert with catalytic converters that eliminate nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide emissions and replaces the conventional muffler.

Most diesel emission filters in use today are made of less-porous ceramic materials. These filters need high exhaust temperatures to keep them clean. This is not always possible in cold climates or with engines that run intermittently. Other systems spray fuel on the filter and ignite it to burn off accumulated soot.

The Rypos DPF is now installed on stationary generators including one at a large Caterpillar dealership in New Hampshire that is "off the grid." The US Navy has tested it for its 4,000 two-cycle marine engines. Rypos is soon expected to meet the requirements for California Air Resources Board Certification and the mining industry is evaluating the Rypos DPF to cut emissions from underground diesel equipment.

Editorial Contact for Rypos, Inc: Dick Pirozzolo at 781-235-991, or dick@pirozzolo.com

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