Total cost assessment: Environmental, economic and social considerations associated with diesel and high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) technologies for heavy-duty trucks

Project summary. The intent of this thesis is to clearly identify what the fundamental benefits are associated with ‘high pressure direct injection’ (HPDI) technology compared with diesel engines. Financial, environmental and social benefits are three key considerations for any decision-maker. Thus, it is these three components that have been focused on for this project.; The main objectives of the proposed research are to perform a more complete environmental and economic assessment of the HPDI technology, thereby assisting Westport in quantifying the economic and environmental costs and benefits of its HPDI technology applied to large heavy-duty trucks.; Background. In the early 1980's, a new technology called HPDI was developed that permits the injection of gaseous natural gas into a diesel engine. The concept was revolutionary, as the attributes of the diesel engine (reliability, power and performance) were not lost with the HPDI but a significant reduction in air contaminants was gained.; As a result of their increasing use and high fuel consumption, heavy trucks continue to be prominent sources of air pollution within North America as well as in many other countries around the world. Diesel engine exhaust contains numerous contaminants such as nitrogen oxides (NO_x), respirable particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and various toxic chemicals known to cause harm to the environment and/or human health. It is the health and financial impacts of these contaminants that have forced North American environmental and health.