Chart Industries, a leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicle fuel systems, launched a breakthrough technology that ensures compatibility with fuel stations optimized for various engine technologies.
The following features of Chart’s new ‘Cold-Fuel Pressure Builder’ were highlighted earlier this year during the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo in Washington DC:
*Operates when ‘under-saturated’ or ‘cold fuel’ is dispensed.
*This enables a modest increase (typically 4.0% to 6.5%) in fuel density.
*Provides adequate pressure for drive-away after fueling.
*Actively saturates the fuel in the vehicle tank, if necessary.
*Utilizes vehicle’s electrical system for saturation energy.
*Retrofits to any Chart LNG vehicle fuel system.
This system was developed based in the input of industry partners, such as fuel station operators and truck manufacturers, to work with either spark-ignition (SI) or compression-ignition (CI) indirect injection (IDI) fuel systems.
Previously, LNG fuel stations were required to deliver LNG at two different pressures and saturation temperatures to support SI and CI-IDI, as well as direct injection (CI-DI), engines, increasing fuel station infrastructure complexity and cost.
Most engines require comparatively low pressure and utilize a Chart developed system that delivers fuel from the station to the vehicle typically above 100 psi and a related saturation temperature of -200 degrees F. This enables a simplified vehicle fuel system, which does not require additional complexity, such as an on-board vehicle pump to deliver fuel to the engine. Diesel engines with CI-DI use fuel systems with on-board pumps that operate better with colder fuel. Offloading and dispensing unsaturated colder fuel through a fuel station delivers LNG to the vehicle at typically less than 60 psi and a related fuel saturation temperature of -215 degrees F. Chart provides fuel station designs which effectively deliver both fuel saturation conditions.
Chart's new on-board vehicle ‘Cold-Fuel Pressure Builder’ (‘CPB’) is designed to accept cold fuel (saturated at less than 60 psi) and consistently support most engine pressure requirements. The CPB, together with existing Chart LNG vehicle fuel systems, will work safely and reliably and with minimized chance of venting during both vehicle operation and refueling. This feature enables simplified fuel station design and reliable SI engine operation independent of LNG fuel station capability.
A CPB equipped Chart LNG vehicle fuel system will operate just as it does now when it receives saturated LNG (typically above 100 psi) from a fuel station. If it receives lower pressure (and saturation temperature) cold fuel from the fuel station, the CPB automatically increases the pressure (and temperature) of the vehicle fuel tank to reliably meet the engine’s pressure requirements.
Chart began pioneering LNG fueling solutions more than 20 years ago, with the development of LNG on-board vehicle solutions, mobile fueling systems, and permanent fueling stations. Today, Chart participates in the entire LNG value chain, including LNG liquefaction, LNG storage and distribution equipment, along with a broad range of end use LNG solutions for transportation and industrial applications.
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