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From a business built on restoring vintage cars has come technology that cuts greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, lawn mowers, welding equipment and even diesel generators.
Global Emissions Systems Inc. (GESI) of Whitby, Ont., says its proprietary technology – a type of catalytic converter – eliminates up to 99 per cent of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. It can be used on practically any combustion engine, whether it burns gasoline, diesel, propane or other fuel.
The technology grew out of co-founder Eric Latino's Redline Performance division, which rebuilds and services classic fast cars from the early 1960s and after. Needing a way to bring older cars' emissions down to today's standards, Mr. Latino began working with Ron Krentz, an industrial chemist with experience in emissions control for large chemical plants, to develop better catalytic converter technology.
Catalytic converters contain one or more metals – platinum is a common choice, but others such as nickel and palladium are sometimes used – that react with toxic gases in exhaust fumes to convert them to less dangerous substances.
John Morand, chief operating officer of GESI, won't say exactly what makes his company's technology perform better than other catalytic converters. “The formula we use gets a better result than the formula that is currently being used by anyone else,” he says. “We may, for instance, use slightly different metals. We certainly use them in different combinations.”
The company, which was incorporated in 2001, started actively marketing its converters in mid-2007. Its customers include several Canadian municipalities, the University of Guelph and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
Burlington, Ont., has installed a GESI device on one ice edger, a lawn-mower-sized, propane-fuelled machine used in a municipal arena. “It greatly reduces emissions,” says Michael Fagan, fleet manager for roads and parks maintenance in Burlington.
Tests conducted by GESI on Burlington's edger indicated that installing its technology practically eliminated carbon monoxide emissions, and reduced output of nitrogen gases, hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide.
Guy Holt, arenas manager in Oakville, Ont., had a similar experience with an ice edger there. Tests – conducted by GESI for the municipality – showed a drop in carbon monoxide and nitrogen gas emissions, though carbon dioxide was up slightly, he says.
GESI makes the devices in different sizes for different uses. One for a vehicle looks like an ordinary catalytic converter and measures about 15.25 centimetres in diameter by 20 cm long, Mr. Morand says, while a unit for a diesel generator is about 40 cm by 106 cm. Costs vary depending on size, but a converter for a vehicle costs between $1,000 and $1,200 installed.
There are dealers who will install the units for individual car owners, and Mr. Morand says GESI is talking to automotive suppliers about the possibility of it becoming standard equipment on some vehicles.
The company, which has a dozen employees, signed its first international dealer, in the U.S. Southwest in November.
Privately held GESI, which Mr. Morand says is in the midst of an equity placement, won't discuss its financials.
