NGNGV Project Will Deploy LNG Tractor-Trailers with HPDI Engines
November 2004
DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) initiated a Next Generation Natural Gas Vehicle (NGNGV) project with Westport Innovations, Inc. to develop and deploy natural gas engines with Westport's high-pressure direct-injection (HPDI) technology in tractor-trailers. The project is important because it is the only development work underway to certify an engine suitable for tractor-trailer applications to U.S. EPA 2007 emission standards.
The HPDI technology injects a small amount of diesel into the engine cylinder to provide compression ignition for natural gas. This gives the engine the efficiency and low-speed torque advantages of compression ignition while using natural gas as the primary fuel.
Westport will develop 15L Cummins ISXG engines with HPDI technology certified to EPA 2007 emission standards of 1.2 g/bhp-hr NOx and 0.01 g/bhp-hr PM. The engines will be installed in tractor-trailers with liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel systems, and the trucks will be deployed in a California-based fleet. NREL and Westport will evaluate the fleet's operating costs, fuel economy, reliability, and emissions.
NREL is cost-sharing $1.5 million of the 2-year, $1.9 million project, with the remainder cost-shared by Westport. NREL's funding is provided by DOE's Vehicle Technologies and Clean Cities Programs.
NGNGV Phase II Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Projects Initiated with Mack Trucks
March 2004
DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has initiated two Phase II Next Generation Natural Gas Vehicle (NGNGV) projects with Mack Trucks, Inc. The agreements were negotiated and executed with Mack under a competitive solicitation process.
Developing an 11-liter Natural Gas Engine with Digital Valve Timing
The goal of this project is to demonstrate an 11L, 325-hp natural gas engine that meets EPA 2010 emissions levels (0.2 g/bhp-h NOx, 0.01 g/bhp-h PM). The engine will employ a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, exhaust gas recirculation, three-way catalyst, and digital valve control technology from Sturman Industries. Digital valve control technology enables development of camless engines with fully variable valve timing, and thus precise adjustments in operation of the intake and exhaust valves for different speed and load conditions. This technology has the potential for improving an engine's efficiency and cost effectiveness while reducing emissions. The project's significance extends beyond development of the target engine because digital valve control technology may be applicable to a wide range of engines and fuels. NREL is cost-sharing $1.5 million of the 2-year, $2.3 million project, with the remainder cost-shared by Mack.
Integrating 12-liter Natural Gas Engines into Refuse Trucks
The goal of this project is to develop and integrate into vehicles 12L, 325-hp Mack E7G natural gas engines capable of demonstrating emissions of 0.5 g/bhp-h NOx and 0.01 g/bhp-h PM. NREL's agreement with Mack covers development of the engines, which will employ a stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, exhaust gas recirculation, and three-way catalyst. The engines will be integrated into two Waste Management refuse trucks, and the trucks will undergo in-service evaluation for 6 months; California's South Coast Air Quality Management District is currently negotiating an agreement with the intent to cost-share this stage of the project with Mack. The technology developed for this project may enable lower-cost aftertreatment for medium- to heavy-duty natural gas vehicles. Mack manufactures both the engine and the refuse truck and plans to commercialize the fully integrated package. NREL is cost-sharing approximately $754,000 of the 2-year, $2.3 million project.
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