GTAT California this week announced the approval of its fuel additive Viscon by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to aid in achieving that state's new emissions mandates.
BAKERSFIELD, California — GTAT California this week announced the approval of its fuel additive Viscon by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to aid in achieving that state's new emissions mandates. Viscon, manufactured by GTAT California, is the only product approved for use with #2 diesel and a 20% biodiesel blend.
Set to go into effect October 1, 2005, the Texas Low Emission Diesel (TxLED) law requires Texas diesel producers and importers to provide a fuel formulation that meets TxLED requirements in the 110 counties in Texas in which the law applies.
Affected counties are those that have consistently surpassed ozone and other air pollution levels and have been designated by the U.S. EPA as non-attainment areas.
Designated by the EPA as a fuel-blending component, Viscon has met and exceeded TCEQ's stringent testing requirements.
"We are very pleased the TCEQ has selected Viscon to add to the states' arsenal for emission reduction solutions," said Mike Porter, President of GTAT California. "We are especially excited about the approval of Viscon with a biodiesel blend. This virtually eliminates the roadblock for biodiesel because of the NOx increase issue."
Viscon is a high-molecular weight, pure hydrocarbon polymer. The base chemical component for Viscon is polyisobutylene (PIB) polymer. Applications for the raw PIB include fuel enhancers, chewing gum, and food-grade-quality additives.
Viscon was initially created to moderate the size, heat, volatility, and smoke from jet fuel explosions. Original tests conducted at China Lake Missile Sites in the deserts of California dramatically proved the polymer's success.
Now Viscon is proving its value in everyday use in diesel engines. By modifying the diesel fuel's physical properties, Viscon makes the air/fuel mixture more uniform, thereby improving combustion efficiency.
It is intended for and is safe for continuous use. Viscon is approved for use with #2 diesel and biodiesel.
Approval of GTAT's Viscon product for TxLED formulation was based on work funded in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
Source: Business Wire, GTAT California
