A new inventory of companies engaged in dual-fuel gaseous/diesel engines and vehicles – natural gas and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) – has identified at least 33 different companies engaged in some form of development, production and sale of these emerging technologies. The companies, originating from 12 countries, represent a diverse range of technologies and interest in commercializing these economic and environmental alternatives to the straight diesel engine. Dual-fuel gas engines are designed to operate on natural gas or LPG with varying amounts of diesel fuel as a ‘pilot’ ignition source. Dual-fuel natural gas engines (including high pressure direct injection natural gas engines, also referred to as HPDI) replace up to 85-95% diesel; dual-fuel LPG engines replace about 35-40% diesel.
The inventory or survey, carried out by Clean Fuels Consulting, was complicated by internationally confused references between bi-fuel gaseous vehicles and dual-fuel diesel systems. Additionally, it is difficult to determine in many cases at what stage of development or sales these companies have achieved with their individual technological approaches. Furthermore, the relationship between various dual-fuel system developers, engine manufacturers and vehicle producers further complicates the process of identifying the number of companies manufacturing and selling dual-fuel systems. Still other engine companies are ‘known by reference’ to be investigating the dual-fuel/HPDI options but have not emerged publicly to announce their involvement.
A wide range of companies with diverse technologies emerge from the inventory:
- Three principal gaseous/diesel system suppliers are engaged with eight engine and vehicle manufacturers who are either beginning or are actively marketing mostly heavy duty trucks and buses. One other large engine manufacturer makes dual-fuel engines for marine applications. Some companies also deal with electric generators but these stationary sources were not factored into this survey.
- There are 17 companies actively engaged in developing, producing and selling dual-fuel gaseous/diesel conversion systems. Most, if not all of these systems are not yet achieving Euro 5 emissions levels. Six of these produce LPG dual-fuel systems; five produce only compressed natural gas dual-fuel systems; and six are developing or produce both natural gas and LPG dual-fuel conversion systems.
- An additional six companies are engaged in non-road applications including tractors, boats and trains.
- Two automotive research institutes, in India and China, are engaged in dual-fuel engine developments. They may have other associations with engine or vehicle manufacturers as well.
- Of the road vehicle systems being developed, only two are for light duty cars.
- The equipment developers and suppliers come from twelve different countries from Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.
Technology diversity
It seems from the initial contacts with dual-fuel developers and suppliers that many of the conversion systems are at Euro III emissions levels and below. Those that are working with engines but without support of the engine manufacturers will have many more challenges in producing high quality reliable dual-fuel systems. But some of these may be successful in the market due to economic advantages of the dual-fuel systems, particularly in the emerging economy countries. Without national certification procedures or strict compliance enforcement many dual-fuel systems may appear but the quality is likely to be inconsistent, at best.
For developers of the more sophisticated gaseous fuel/diesel systems and engines certification procedures do not yet exist. Certification procedures could be developed within United Nations regulations (specifically UNECE Regulation 115) if there is enough motivation by dual-fuel system suppliers and, more importantly, engine and vehicle manufacturers who would have a growing stake in these gaseous fuel technologies. National government support also will be required to develop appropriate certification criteria at the UN level.
Critical Issues Workshop
Dual-fuel (Gaseous/Diesel) Engines: Opportunities, Challenges & Strategies to Expand the Market presents a forum to identify and explore the most important technology, marketing and regulatory issues related to natural gas and LPG dual-fuel engines. Engine and emissions experts, equipment suppliers and government regulatory specialists will meet in Brussels on 30th-31st March 2010 to discuss the range of different dual-fuel technologies, operating experiences and regulatory issues that must be addressed in order to overcome the market entry challenges faced by these economic and low-polluting engine technologies. Speakers and the audience will participate in an open dialogue designed to create a strategy that encourages the development of a new regulatory framework that results in increased worldwide market penetration of dual-fuel gaseous/diesel engines and vehicles. A strategic overview and regulatory pathway for gaseous/diesel engine systems will be developed as a result of the findings and conclusions that will emerge by the end of the workshop.
Visit www.DualFuelStrategies.com for more information about registration and exhibiting.
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