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Making Emission Solutions in Transportation a Reality
In spite of the economy and the threat of poor attendance which didn’t materialize, the 4th Bi-Annual American Filtration & Separations Society Emissions in Transportation Conference in Ann Arbor, MI had the highest level of speakers and information exchange since beginning this series of Emissions in Transportation Conferences from 2003.
The Conference began with a tour at a local filtration company or other facility. This year we toured the Ford Research and Advanced Engineering Center in Dearborn, MI on Monday, October 5th. Ford touts the Center as the innovation hub of the company and it didn’t disappoint. With over 200 patents a year from its staff, it clearly is an epicenter and heart and soul of the company’s best ideas. All those who toured were duly impressed with what Ford has in the works, including engineering resources and the level of employee professionalism.
The two and half day Conference, October 6-8th provided attendees with just about every aspect and bit of knowledge one can expect from a Conference from a broad overview to specific insights into emission technology and activities. We learned what’s new in engines from gasoline to lithium batteries, diesel fuels to hydrogen fuel cells and hybrids, even a 1935 German innovation called the Junker engine, being recycled with 21st century technology.
Leading the parade of session, plenary, keynote luncheon, and banquet speakers were many recognized industry experts offering exciting new technology and approaches to meeting regulations with innovative ideas. Tuesday morning, Cleophas Jackson, Assistant Director of Compliance, U.S. EPA led the Conference with a plenary address updating everyone to the latest government emission regulations and timelines. Jim Parks from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory was our luncheon keynote speaker and explained the CLEERS program and how it provides simulation tools to the 
design engineer for clean emissions.
The gala banquet keynote speaker was Dr. David Cole, Chairman of the Center of Automotive Research, who is televisions and major media automotive go-to industry authority. Dr. Cole spoke on the subject of The Auto Future: A New Beginning and offered a macro overview of industry technology, direction, influences and future technology options. His remarks and insight, alone, were worth the price of admission to the Conference.
Wednesday, our plenary speaker Charles Freese, Executive Director of General Motors Powertrain Engineering gave an in-depth address on the industry powertrain choices and the relative merit of each. His address left little question, the industry has its act together. He also provided new ideas and technologies to achieve higher mileage and lower emissions.
At lunch, our keynote speaker was Dr. Dennis Assanis, Director of the Automotive Research Center at the University of Michigan, who spoke on Lean-Clean Engines, a new concept and technology for increasing engine mileage. Thursday morning, our plenary speaker Kevin Westerson, Executive Director, Cummins Engine Filtration R,T&E capped off the plenary sessions with detailed and meaningful insight from a major OEM engine producer. His remarks were particularly beneficial to understand what Tier 1 companies need to produce to satisfy industry standards.
Conference sponsors were Flow Ezy Filters, Cummins Emissions Solutions, Cummins Filtration, Donaldson Filtration Solutions and International Filter Testing Services, Inc. The technical program was organized by Dr. Tad Jaroszczyk (Conference Co-Chairman), Dr. Gerald Z. Liu and Neville Bugli, who became the Chairman of the AFS for 2010.
