Those attending the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) this week in Louisville KY will want to check out the Cummins Westport ISX12 G, a 12-liter heavy-duty, factory-built, dedicated natural gas engine for regional-haul, truck/tractor, vocational, and refuse applications, that is being officially unveiled in the Cummins booth. MATS runs from March 22 through 24.
The ISX12 G natural gas engine is based on the Cummins ISX12 diesel engine platform, the newest member of Cummins Heavy-Duty engine family. The ISX12 G will operate exclusively on natural gas, and fuel can be carried on the vehicle as either compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG), utilizing Cummins Westport's proprietary spark-ignited, Stoichiometric cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (SEGR) technology, first introduced with the 8.9-liter ISL G.
The ISX12 G also features Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) aftertreatment, which is packaged as a muffler and is maintenance-free. No Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) or Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) aftertreatment will be required, which makes this natural engine particularly attractive to weight-sensitive tank truck fleets.
A range of five ratings, from 330 to 400 horsepowerp (246-298 kW) and 1150 to 1450 lb-ft (1559-1966 N•m) torque will be offered at launch. Field- testing is under way, with production expected to begin in early 2013. The ISX12 G also will be the first engine from Cummins Westport to offer optional engine brake capability and will also offer customers the choice between manual and automatic transmissions.
The ISX12 G will be manufactured in Cummins Heavy-Duty Engine Plant in Jamestown, NY, and will be backed by a Cummins base warranty (two years, 250,000 miles; 6,250 hours of operation). Extended coverage options will be released closer to production. Service, parts and training support will be delivered by the Cummins service network.
The ISX12 G is expected to be certified at launch to meet the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (ARB) emissions standards of 0.20-g/bhp-hr oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 0.01-g/bhp-hr Particulate Matter (PM). The engine is additionally expected to be capable of meeting Euro VI and pending US greenhouse gas and fuel economy regulations.
Partial funding in support of the ISX12 G engine development has been received from the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in partnership with the California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and the California Energy Commission in conjunction with the Gas Technology Institute.
In other MATS news, Cummins officials announced that the engine manufacturer has begun development of a 15-liter heavy-duty, spark-ignited natural gas engine. Cummins ISX15 G is expected to be in limited production by 2014.
"Cummins is committed to making the right investments in the technologies that strengthen our leadership position in natural gas," said Ed Pence, Cummins vice-president and general manager, Heavy-Duty Engine Business.
The ISX15 G will be based on the cummins ISX15 diesel engine and will build on Cummins technology leadership with spark-ignited, Stoichiometric cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (SEGR) technology. A simple, maintenance-free Three-Way Catalyst will be the only required exhaust aftertreatment. The engine will run on compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or biomethane.