Hydrogen and Natural Gas Fuel Blends
Hydrogen and Natural Gas
Hydrogen and Natural gas technologies are very important because they are “green” fuels. Green fuels are those considered beneficial to the environment compared to gasoline and diesel. They significantly reduce the amount of carbon emissions expelled by the internal combustion engine of conventional automobiles.
Hydrogen gas is created by using fuel cells that convert water into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The hydrogen is then used to generate energy to increase the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine used by today’s vehicles. Although hydrogen is a combustible and volatile fuel source, if it is used “on demand”, and not stored as a liquid, it is a very safe fuel alternative. Hydrogen gas powered vehicles are being tested in many countries.
Natural gas is already used in many parts of the world. Europe is the world leader, using it to help fuel it’s transportation sector. Propane is another alternative fuel used in Europe’s transportation sector. Propane is also known as Liquefied Petroleum Gas or LPG.
Hydrogen Gas and Natural Gas Blends
Natural gas can be blended with hydrogen to make H/CNG (Hydrogen gas/Compressed Natural Gas) to fuel vehicles. Using these blends is the first step in making hydrogen-based transportation available in the future. H/CNG vehicles may be able to offer immediate environmental benefits, such as reducing nitrogen oxide emissions. They also can help in the transition to using fuel cell technology in cars.
Research and Development
Governments around the world are partnering with their domestic auto manufacturers and chemical companies to do more research and development in the area of Gas Blends. In the United States, a hydrogen and compressed gas generation and fueling facility is being built in Phoenix, Arizona. It will provide pure hydrogen and hydrogen/natural gas blends to light-duty vehicles that have been modified to use these alternative fuels.
What Is Being Tested
All of the major car manufacturers have H/CNG prototypes that are currently being tested. Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles being tested today include the 100% hydrogen-powered vehicles Roush/Chevy Silverado, Mercedes Sprinter , Ford F-150 32V and the Ford F-150 16V.
Hydrogen/Compressed Natural Gas (H/CNG) blended vehicles being tested include the Ford F-150 prototypes using 30%, 50% and 15% H/CNG.
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October 4th, 2009 at 1:35 am
what is being don with class 8 trucks.
October 4th, 2009 at 2:21 am
Walmart is currently testing 4 alternative energy solutions for Class 8 trucks (vehicles that have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 33,001 pounds or more, three axels and 10 tires).
ArvinMeritor Hybrid Propulsion
Walmart will test in the Detroit area, this first of its kind dual-mode diesel-electric hybrid. The ArvinMeritor hybrid has both mechanical and electrical propulsion systems, which use the electric motor drive primarily for periods of high demand under low-speed, high-load operating conditions, such as accelerating from a stop. Once moving, the mechanical propulsion system begins to blend its power with the electric motor until it reaches highway speeds, where the drive phases to completely mechanical. The electrical system can provide additional power during hill climbing, even at highway speeds. In addition to its work at highway speeds, the engine also charges an onboard energy storage system, which provides power to the electric motor when demand is high. Energy that is generated during braking is captured and stored using regenerative braking.
Biodiesel (waste/brown grease) Truck
Walmart will test in the Phoenix, Ariz, area, 15 Class 8 trucks retrofitted to run on reclaimed grease fuel made of waste brown cooking grease from Walmart stores.
Peterbilt/Eaton Hybrid Assist
Walmart is the first fleet to test parallel diesel-electric hybrid power in Class 8 trucks. The Peterbilt/Eaton hybrid provides electric power to assist the motor and also serves as the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) – helping to significantly reduce engine idling. The electric motor kicks in when the truck needs extra power, such as accelerating from a stop or when going uphill. The diesel-electric hybrids are being tested in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Southern California and the Baltimore/Washington D.C. region.
LNG Truck
In partnership with Mojave Air Quality Management District, Walmart will test five trucks (four Class 8 and one yard truck) retrofitted to operate on Liquefied natural gas or LNG. LNG is formed by condensing natural gas to a liquid by chilling it to about -260 degrees Fahrenheit at atmospheric pressure. This process reduces its volume by more than 600 times.
source: wallmartstores.com - Fuel Leadership Fact Sheet - 9/2009