'How sustainable do you really want it to be?'

Ahlmann Netherlands and G. van der Ven Aannemingsbedrijf jointly introduce the NOX-killer, an additional reduction module to reduce NOx emissions below the Stage V emission standard in times of nitrogen problems. Arjan van den Oord likes to make a few comments on this.

By applying and further refining in the field new techniques, such as the NOX-killer, both companies want to anticipate the sustainability targets set in Europe. By further reducing NOx emissions, they expect to receive permission to operate with Stage V diesel engines in sensitive areas such as Natura 2000.

All value for money and good advice is expensive, my father taught me. Director Arjan van den Oord of Ahlmann Netherlands puts it his way, "How sustainable do you really want it to be?" He sees a trend to completely eliminate internal combustion engines and replace them with all-electric drives. "But that is not necessarily necessary, because there are other ways to work sustainably and environmentally friendly first."

He gives the Ahlmann AZ 95f as an example. This swing loader delivers a more efficient, therefore more sustainable work performance, because it can unload and load in many more places than a rigid or articulated loader. Its Stage V diesel engine also significantly reduces the amount of particulate emissions. That's direct gain. What remains is the infamous NOx, the culprit in the nitrogen problem. 

FIRST ADBLUE AND HVO

Soot particles are harmful to humans and nature. With the help of AdBlue, a mixture of demineralized water and pure urea, the harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) can be converted into harmless gases in a catalytic converter, a process referred to by the letters SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction). "In itself a fine solution, but one with a pitfall," says Arjan, "After all, that AdBlue addition requires a major intervention under the hood, making machines big and bulky and reducing the view from the cab."

Subsequently, the use of HVO diesel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) is interesting. This sustainable diesel fuel gives a very high CO2 reduction plus much lower emissions of particulate matter, NOx, soot and sulfur. Often, for example, 20 percent HVO is added to regular diesel. Arjan has good news in this regard: "In our Ahlmann swing loader AZ 95f, 100 percent HVO diesel is allowed."

Only if all of that is not enough may it be time to switch to an electric drive, but only "if green power can be refueled, because with gray power we are missing the point," Arjan concludes his argument.