Technology added to improve Emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines
In this project, Hi-Tec Fuel and Auto Ltd. demonstrated their dual fuel technology, a conversion technology system that is added to an existing heavy-duty vehicle diesel engine. The demonstration, funded through Round 5: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in 2012, confirmed this technology’s effectiveness and helped the organization produce more innovations.
The conversion technology system enabled heavy-duty diesel engines to operate on a high proportion of compressed natural gas blend. As the cleanest of all fossil fuels, compressed natural gas contains less carbon than diesel and produces lower CO2 emissions per vehicle mile travelled. The project, completed in 2014, successfully reached up to 50 per cent or higher natural gas blend on all types and sizes of heavy-duty engines; this reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increases fuel savings, and could expand use of compressed natural gas.
Demonstrating Emissions Reduction and Economic Benefits
In one year of operation, five heavy-duty diesel trucks cumulatively reduced GHG emissions by 91 tonnes with tests showing a diesel displacement of approximately 55 per cent. Because the technology does not involve changing any of the original equipment manufacturers’ programming or engine components, the Hi-tec Fuel and Auto Ltd. dual fuel system can be utilized by many different types of engine models and engine sizes. An additional benefit was fuel cost savings, as compressed natural gas was between 30 per cent and 50 per cent cheaper than diesel at the time. Furthermore, expanding and supporting the compressed natural gas refueling infrastructure and natural gas economy operations will create jobs, adding further economic benefits.
What’s next?
The installation of the dual fuel system on seven types of heavy-duty engines provided significant data to further engineering and design of dual fuel systems. This, in turn, allowed Hi-tec Fuel and Auto Ltd. to move closer to having a dual fuel system that can be used as a base template for various types of engine sizes and models. Going forward, ERA expects to see further investments in next generation dual fuel technology, such as blending hydrogen with diesel.