A report entitled Enhanced Emissions Support and Fuel Efficiency for HD Methane Engines, prepared by AVL MTC Motortestcenter AB for the International Energy Agency – Advanced Motor Fuels, may be of interest to decision-makers considering the introduction of methane fuel HD engines. This literature survey was conducted in order to define the state-of-the-art for methane-fuelled engines to be used in heavy-duty vehicles. The use of methane can increase energy security, mitigate CO2 emissions, and potentially reduce toxic exhaust emissions.
Category: Engines
Hardstaff Dual-Fuel Technology for HGVs Shortlisted for Regional Prize
August 24, 2010 – 3:33 am
United Kingdom
Hardstaff Dual-Fuel Mercedes, compliant to Euro IV
The Hardstaff Group’s Oil-Ignition-Gas-Injection (OIGI®) system, enhanced through collaboration with Loughborough University in Leicestershire, has been shortlisted in the Innovation for Sustainability category at the 2010 Lord Stafford Awards in the UK after demonstrating its ability to cut engine CO2 emissions for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) by up to 20%. Winners will be announced at an event on September 9th.
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US NGV Industry Upbeat at NGVAmerica Summit Conference
August 16, 2010 – 4:02 am
Source: Fleets&Fuels USA, Boston
NGVAmerica’s Summit-Conference, held in Boston last week, has confirmed upbeat sentiment amongst industry members with almost universal agreement that the industry is on the verge of a tipping point which should see vehicle and fuelling station numbers increase dramatically in coming years. More than 150 delegates attended a series of meetings and sessions over the three day event with some in-house meetings attracting standing room only crowds. Attending NGV Global executive director, Brett Jarman, described the atmosphere as enthusiastic, positive and forward looking. Following are some of the NGV related highlights from Fleets and Fuel’s Showtime News, published for the WasteCon Exhibition held immediately after the Summit:
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Maruti Suzuki Launches Five Factory Fitted CNG Models
August 13, 2010 – 2:54 pm
India, New Delhi
Maruti-Suzuki launches five iGPI-fitted NGVs simultaneously.
Introduces Next Generation CNG Technology
India’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki has unveiled its flagship CNG engine technology, ‘intelligent-Gas Port Injection’ or i-GPI on five popular models. The CNG vehicles were unveiled by Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) Environment and Forests in the presence of senior government dignitaries and the Maruti Suzuki management team. The natural gas vehicle models include SX4, Eeco, WagonR, Estilo and Alto and are being launched in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Gujrat.
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ARAI Develops HCNG Engine
August 7, 2010 – 3:02 am
Source: Times of India India, Pune
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has developed a four-cylinder engine at their power train engineering (PTE) laboratory, according to a report by Times of India. The 3.9 liter engine, modified from an existing CNG engine, will support an 18 per cent blend of hydrogen and compressed natural gas (HCNG). It promises to reduce carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and other emissions.
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Omnitek’s High Pressure Natural Gas Filter Faces Strong Demand
July 28, 2010 – 2:44 pm
USA, San Marcos CA
Omnitek Engineering Corporation, a developer of natural gas engines and proprietary diesel-to-natural gas conversion systems, says business is booming for their high-pressure natural gas filters. with more than 20,000 sold since the component’s introduction earlier this year. The filters, which provide protection from solid particulate matter and oil aerosols, are made for light and heavy duty vehicles powered by CNG. Sales have been bolstered by receiving international certification from an independent agency in January, based on tests and standards sanctioned by the United Nationals Economic Commission for Europe, specifically UN-ECE-110R.
Cummins Westport Plans NG ISX11.9 for 2013
July 27, 2010 – 3:04 pm
Source: Fleets&Fuels
Cummins Westport is planning is planning a dedicated-natural gas, spark ignition version of the new ISX11.9 diesel engine from Cummins, which may be available in 2013, according to a Fleets & Fuels report. Cummins reported U.S. EPA and California certification of the diesel engine to 2010 limits on July 20, and said it will commence full production of the diesel engine in August.
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CA Energy Commission Boosts Cutting-Edge Trucks and Buses with Nearly $20 Million
July 21, 2010 – 5:03 pm
USA, Sacramento CA
The California Energy Commission has approved 11 awards for projects that will demonstrate the possibilities for cutting-edge natural gas-powered, hybrid, and electric trucks and buses to reduce petroleum use, cut pollution and provide jobs. The awards leverage almost $20 million in state funding with $9.3 million in federal stimulus money and $39 million in private funds.
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Ford Offers F-Series V10 With CNG Option in the US
July 17, 2010 – 4:29 pm
USA, Dearborn MI
Ford F-Series trucks to get 6.8-liter V10 with alternative fuel option (CNG or LPG)
Ford Motor Company has added an alternative fuels engine prep package to its options for the 2012 F-Series medium-duty chassis cab gasoline powertrain (6.8-liter V10), available for order in the fourth quarter of 2011. The conversion option, which will soon be available on F-450 and F-550 Super Duty chassis cab trucks that use the 6.8-liter V10, enables the use of efficient, clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG) or propane (LPG, or liquefied petroleum gas).
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Westport Signs New Development Agreement with Volvo Powertrain
July 13, 2010 – 6:08 am
Canada, Vancouver
Westport Innovations Inc., producer of alternative fuel, low-emissions transportation technologies, and Volvo Powertrain, a subsidiary of Volvo AB, have signed an agreement defining Westport’s responsibility to develop biogas- and natural gas-fuelled engine products for Volvo. For competitive reasons details of the products or markets will not be disclosed until an appropriate time. The main features of the long term relationship are as follows:
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Cummins to Expand High-Horsepower Engine Product Line
July 9, 2010 – 10:40 am
USA, Seymour IN
Cummins Inc. is expanding its High-Horsepower Technical Center and high-horsepower engine product line at its manufacturing facility in Seymour. Announced by Mark Levett, Vice President and General Manager – High-Horsepower Business, the expansion of the center will provide the company with more opportunities for producing high-horsepower clean-diesel and natural gas engines in the future. Cummins plans to invest approximately $100 million in the expansion at the Seymour plant, which is expected to result in approximately 200 engineering and manufacturing jobs over the next five years. The plant currently employs nearly 450 people.
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Westport HD Engine Receives US and Australian Certifications
July 6, 2010 – 3:45 am
Canada, Vancouver
Westport GX Engine
Westport Innovations Inc., a global alternative fuel, low-emissions transportation technologies provider, has been certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to 2010 emissions compliance for the Westport GX 2010 15L engine. The GX engine is certified and compliant to 2010 emission limits of 0.2 g/bhp-hr oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 0.01 g/bhp-hr particulate matter (PM) without the use of emissions credits. Adding to the U.S. certification, Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has certified the Westport GX engine in compliance with the Australian Design Rules (ADR) 80/03, which takes effect for all heavy-duty truck models starting January 2011.
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Westport Acquires OMVL of Italy and 100% Juniper Engines
July 2, 2010 – 8:44 pm
Canada, Vancouver BC
Juniper 2.4L Natural Gas (or LPG) Industrial Engine
Westport Innovations Inc., alternative fuel and low-emissions transportation technologies provider, has announced the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of OMVL SpA and OMVL’s 51% share of Juniper Engines Inc. (“Juniper”), for a combined consideration of €19.0 million (approximately US$23.4 million). The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. As a result of the transaction, Juniper, previously a joint venture between wholly owned subsidiaries of Westport Innovations Inc. and SIT Group of Italy, will become, indirectly, wholly owned by Westport. Ian Scott, President of Juniper Engines, will manage the combined companies while Maurizio Grando, Managing Director of OMVL, will continue to manage the Italian operations.
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Coca-Cola Enterprises (UK) Trials First Compressed Biomethane-Powered Iveco Stralis
June 24, 2010 – 12:17 pm
United Kingdom
Coca-Cola commences a compressed biomethane trial using Iveco Stralis trucks.
Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE) has begun trials with an Iveco Stralis Active Day 21 tonne distribution vehicle running on compressed biomethane (CBM or Bio-CNG*). It marks the first CBM powered commercial vehicle to be operated anywhere in the world by CCE, and the first such Stralis to be delivered in the UK. The trial will be used to determine the long-term sustainable transport strategy of CCE in Great Britain, and has been supported with the installation of a LCBM refuelling station at the company’s distribution facility in Enfield, Middlesex.
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Landi Renzo Develops First Dual-Fuel Retrofit Kit for Light Vehicles
June 9, 2010 – 7:50 pm
Italy, Rome - NGV 2010 Conference and Exhibition
Landi Renzo has its dual-fuel kit installed in a Fiat Doblo, on display at NGV 2010.
Landi Renzo SpA has been working on what could soon be the first available dual-fuel CNG/diesel conversion kit for light-duty vehicles. Speaking at NGV 2010 in Rome on the topic of The Power of Dual-Fuel as part of the Dual-Fuel and Fuel Blends conference session, Daniele Ceccarini, Research and Development Manager, explained, “It is not a new idea. What is new is the approach, the technical approach.” The company has been working on a reconfiguration of the technology associated with natural gas vehicle retrofits, carrying out simulations to study the various impacts on efficient fuel utilisation and system durability.
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