Posted on 05/22/2012 1:43:00 PM PDT by Red Badger
Volvo Trucks unveiled last week its plans to launch a 13-liter heavy-duty natural gas engine featuring Westport high pressure direct injection (HPDI) technology. The engine, marketed under the Blue Power designation, is scheduled to launch for the North American market in 2014.
The engines advanced high pressure diesel ignition technology will provide significant fuel efficiency gains compared with current natural gas products. Combined with the companys previously announced offering of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Volvo VNM and VNL model daycabs, the new engine will provide customers with a complete range of natural gas-powered transportation solutions. Volvo is also testing another fuel that can be produced from natural gas, DME (dimethyl ether), which has the potential to become an attractive alternative for the North American market.
Through advanced high pressure diesel ignition technology using trace amounts of diesel to ignite the natural gas Volvos LNG engine will deliver a 30-percent fuel efficiency improvement compared with spark-ignition (SI) engines, making it a viable alternative for demanding long-haul applications. The Volvo 13-liter LNG engine will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 20 percent compared with current diesel products.
The engine will accomplish these savings without sacrificing power, torque or fuel efficiency, all of which are critical attributes for on-highway operations. The Volvo Group was the number one supplier of 13-liter heavy-duty engines to the combined U.S. and Canadian market last year, and the same vertically integrated approach that has made Volvo a global powertrain leader is being applied to the development of the new engine. The companys proprietary Volvo I-Shift automated mechanical transmission also will be available for customers to specify.
North Americas abundant supply of natural gas, and the reduced emissions and minimal aftertreatment CNG engines offer, make the technology an ideal solution for customers operating in localized or closed-loop applications. To meet current demand, Volvo offers the CNG-powered VNM daycab equipped with a factory-installed Cummins ISL G engine.
The company also recently announced that it is operating natural gas-powered VNL demonstrator trucks. The larger, more robust VNL model features a 12-liter Cummins- Westport ISX12 G gas engine. Factory production of the natural gas-powered VNL daycab will begin in conjunction with commercial availability of the 12-liter gas engine in early 2013. These heavy-duty engines feature maintenance-free aftertreatment, requiring only a three-way catalyst to meet EPA 2010 emissions standards.
Rest In Peace, old friend, your work is finished.....
If you want ON or OFF the DIESEL KnOcK LIST jut FReepmail me.....
This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days.....
ping!
No mention at all about the HP/Torque Ratings.
Wel, at least you know they weren’t sacrificed.........
Howz about ‘allowing’ this engine into the US market since it’s made here already.
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110406/GREEN/110409933
Guess you’ve all heard about GM rolling out bi-fuel (CNG/Gasoline) pickups.
Gotta link?...........
Nat gas has about half the BTUs as diesel...
But we got lots uvit!.........
Does that include LNG?
Nice car, but at $5,000 to 10,000 more cost than an equivalent Jetta diesel, is it worth it?
The $35,000 price noted at the link puts the car in the same range as an Audi A3 tdi, and well above several hybrids, as well.
Just sayin...but it would be great for Ford to introduce diesel to their passenger vehicle line.
LOL!
550HP/1850Tq, not bad for a 15L.
Pretty fancy pilot injectors though.
Okay, how about range and practicality (e.g. how many truck stops have CNG)?
1 gallon of diesel fuel has the same BTU value as 139 cubic feet of gas.
Drill Baby Drill !!
Here’s a link to a story about it from Oct. 2011, but I heard this latest info from American Farm Bureau Federation:
“The Silverado HD and Sierra 2500HD will have a range of over 650 miles, will be available in standard box and long-box, 2 and 4WD in extended cab models, Vortec 6.0L V8, seamless transition between fuels, single lightweight Type 3 CNG tank in truckbed.
http://fleetowner.com/equipment/news/gm-cng-bifuel-comm-pickup-1004
13 Liter? Please check my math but can that possibly be 780 cu in?
HOW MUCH IZZAT IN BEAN BURRITOS?.........
Yes, it’s for big trucks........and this is a small one.........They also make a 15 Liter of the same type............
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.