How Cummins limits emissions through diesel engines

Cummins is using its emissions reduction technologies to diversify further into future products, such as natural gas engines, that will contribute to the growth of the company.

Dedicated to going beyond compliance with emission platforms, Cummins develops industry-leading technology designed to meet customers’ needs for performance and reliability, while optimising fuel economy and cost savings which eliminates future upgrades. By investing in future technology, the company designs its engines to have advanced technology already built into them.

Established in 1919 and headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), Cummins serves customers in more than 190 countries and territories around the world. Emissions have always been at the forefront of the company’s priorities and today hold significant importance for it around the world.

Cummins Asia Pacific engine business director Tim Worme, who has been with the company for 20 years, said this commitment has evolved through investment in alternative fuels, hybrid technology and fuel cells.

Cummins Asia Pacific Engine Business Director Tim Worme.

“I haven’t seen the rate of R&D investment change as much as it has in the past few years, it has been significant for our company,” Worme told Oil & Gas Today.

“It has helped that Cummins is a global leader in designing and manufacturing solutions to meet the highest emissions standards worldwide.”

With the technology market advancing rapidly, Cummins has increased its investment in electrified power and hydrogen technologies. Cummins recently announced the acquisition of Hydrogenics a world-leading fuel cell and hydrogen production technologies provider.

The now wholly owned subsidiary of Cummins is an additional platform that will allow the company to offer a broad range of clean, fuel efficient and high-performing products that deliver value to its customers.

Cummins has also implemented a recycling process and places a high emphasis on producing clean products to reinforce its strategy of offering customers a choice of either diesel, natural gas engines, or hybrid and electric platforms.

“Cummins’ engines were viewed on their ability to be repaired in terms of lifecycle costs and total cost of ownership. For several years, Cummins has partnered with its customers to optimise maintenance and total cost of ownership,” Worme said.

“We work with our customers to extend service intervals, so it reduces operational costs and we invest heavily in our technician capability to keep ahead of changing technology and market demand,” Worme said.

“The technology within the engine is pushing it further and when the engine gets to its life to overhaul, we utilise our master rebuild centres where we offer a Cummins-certified rebuild package where we exchange or replace their old engine with a rebuilt engine. This allows for less down time and helps lower our carbon footprint.”

As this niche industry continues to grow, Cummins recognises there are many opportunities and a need for innovative technology.

Worme, who has recently relocated from the United States to Perth, described the Western Australian oil and gas market as having large potential and believes the expansion of the North West project will provide additional growth and opportunities.

“We have launched a couple of new products that are specifically gas-dedicated engines,” Worme said.

“The HSK78 a 78-litre V-16 engine that runs on natural gas and is specifically designed for customers within the industry.

“We work alongside customers in the oil and gas industry to provide solutions across power generation, dewatering pumps and offshore engine platforms.”

The 78-litre V12 Cummins gas engine is not a derivative of a diesel unit; it is a brand-new design specifically for gas.

Cummins employs about 61,600 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity.

Diversity and inclusion is critical for Cummins’ ability to innovate, to win in the marketplace and to create sustainable success. Diversity and inclusion is about recognising and valuing our differences and using those differences to deliver superior results.

In January this year, Cummins South Pacific employed 48 new technician apprentices, with 13 being female.

“The stigma of an all-male diesel environment is starting to change, and we are working to shift the perception of the industry and make it more gender diverse,” Worme said.

Not only is Cummins focused on improving the gender balance at the company, but it is also embracing the skills of the next generation of workers.

“I think the skill set is different. What we know now and what we have learned is not going to be around for the next 100 years and we will need to be more innovative, learn different things and that is what the next generation is bringing, that new way of thinking,” Worme concluded.

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