Marine Diesel Engine (Tier 3) Question

[cannongeorge]

OK, so the local Air Pollution Control District (APCD) wants to upgrade diesel engines on commercial marine vessels that I may contract with to meet "Best Available Control Technologies" (BACT) - and to them this means EPA "Tier 3" diesel engines, - they are already requiring this for onshore applications (yes, I am in California). Sounds good, right?

Trouble is, I cannot find anyone willing to provide this type of engine retrofit, at least at this time. MARPOL and ABS (international standards, recognized by 191 flags around the world) were both figuring on implementing this changeover (for new build vessels) beginning in 2009 through 2014 (depending upon size and class of engine) and nobody will consider doing it on a retrofit basis now - one really big reason is that no such engine installations are ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) approved - and without ABS certification you can't get liability insurance for your vessel!

I'm talking about relatively small engines, (not prime propulsion), 60 Hp to 600 Hp. (Generators, hydraulic pumps, etc.) I've talked to Cummings, Detroit Diesel, and Caterpillar, no response, can't blame them for not really wanting to get into this one!

I learned that one hang-up in the ABS certification process for Tier 3 engines is the requirement for engines to operate at extreme angles off of vertical - requiring "marine" engines to have specially designed oil sumps - and that incorrect oil sump designs could cause the engines to splash excessive oil and lead to excessive oil entering the combustion chamber and thus invalidating EPA "Tier 3" emissions ratings. I've also heard about differences in "Tier 3" engines combustion air cooling and rejection air cooling requirements, duct design, exhausting, and intercooler piping design, which may also trigger ABS conflicts for retro-fit applications.

If anyone is knowledgable about specific ABS requirements and why this may conflict with jamming EPA "Tier 3" engines into existing engine spaces below decks I would like to learn more.

Thank you!