Egypt, Cairo
Switzerland’s Eugen Seitz is spreading the news about their new 6-valve
block for CNG dispensers and storage system compressors. The product is
called SLICO: “This means SLIm and COmpact,” reports product
manager Reto Schilling. The block has a nominal diameter of 8
millimeters, Schilling adds, noting that non-return valves are
included. The SLICO valve block is designed for service pressures up to
350 bar.
Cairo, Egypt
Compressed air and gas specialist CompAir will launch a new CNG compressor at NGV 2006 in Cairo, Egypt on 7th-9th November 2006. The Gazpack 42 water cooled compressor is a new addition to the popular Gazpack series of modular, ready-to-run CNG refuelling systems.
New Zealand based compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling
supplier, Intermech is hoping that prior experience will help when it
comes to bidding for what could be one of the industry’s largest ever
refueling tenders. Sales chief Ankur Arora says the firm has
supplied 56 turnkey CNG stations to Iran already and is currently
bidding to do 850 more, Arora says.
Cairo, Egypt
Italy’s Lovato is promoting the Easy Fast version of its Fast dual-fuel
system for allowing diesel engines to run on a diesel-natural gas mix
with reduced emissions, especially particulates, and no power loss.
Lovato’s Fast system works by injecting natural gas into the air intake
manifold.
China may rank just eighth on the world list of natural gas vehicle (NGV) nations, but significant, consistent growth is expected there in the coming years. NGVs are viewed as a path to hydrogen and as such will continue to be promoted by the Chinese government, Jinhua Zhang, VP at the China Automotive Technology and Research Center, said at EVS-22, the world electric vehicles meeting that took place in Yokohama, Japan, just last month.
USA, Washington DC
The US Department of Energy
has selected six cost-shared research and development projects that
will aid in alternate hydrogen production and greater hydrogen
utilization. Included in the projects is one to be facilitated by the
Hythane Company, comparing a heavy duty natural gas engine with two
others, one modified for a hydrogen compressed natural gas blend (HCNG)
and the other modified for straight hydrogen operation.
Islamabad, Pakistan
Pakistan’s Planning Commission has approved Rs 5 billion ($US83
million) towards the city of Karachi’s mass transport plan, which will
see 8,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses on city streets within the
next four years (see earlier report)
UAE, Abu Dhabi
Natural gas vehicle numbers in Abu Dhabi will grow from 40 currently to more than 10,000 within the next 6 years following initiatives of government agencies and energy supplier Adnoc Distribution. A Technical Committee constituted under an Abu Dhabi Executive Council Decree early last year has recommended that 20% of the Emirate's most polluting vehicles be converted to compressed natural gas (CNG) by 2012.
NGVs are figuring prominently at the World Gas Conference in Amsterdam this week with about 5000 delegates in attendance. A Strategic Panel, "Natural Gas Vehicles: The Road Ahead", led by IANGV Senior Vice President, John Lyon will include three other IANGV officers and representatives from erdgas mobil, Gaz de France, Daimler Chrysler and EU.
Volvo Car Corporation is counting on a future where multiple fuel types are commonly available, previewing a Multi-Fuel prototype vehicle at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum, starting this week in Paris, France. Hot on the heels of the ‘tetra-fuel’ Siena, announced by Fiat Brazil and due for release later this year, Volvo says the Multi-Fuel operates on five different fuels, with methane featuring in three of the variants.
Switzerland, Lugano
Swiss utility Le Aziende Industriali di Lugano has stepped up the presence of natural gas vehicles in Lugano, purchasing 5 new Opel Combos and arranging demonstrations of the Citroën C3 for local motorists. Both vehicles operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) with the Opel sporting a 1.6l engine while the Citroën carries a 1.4 l engine. More details http://www.ail.ch/
USA
With the transition phase to ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD) in the US now well under way, the American Trucking Association has publicly expressed concern over cost and supply. “The trucking industry recognizes the critical role that ultra low sulfur diesel fuel plays in ensuring future diesel emission reductions. The industry remains concerned, however, that the transition could create fuel supply disruptions and operational challenges,” said ATA President Bill Graves in a statement.
On 22 April the Economist reviewed "The Oil Industry". This review, like many current political and PR pronouncements, was conspicuously deficient in its failure to mention the potential for the direct use of natural gas as a transport fuel. It is useful for us to think about why this mindset is so prevalent.
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Vancouver. This followed a preliminary meeting in New Zealand attended
by members of the NGV industry and an Australian gas industry
executive. At that time New Zealand was a very strong NGV country with
nearly 10% of its vehicles in the North Island running on natural gas.
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