New technology promises cleaner air now
By: Les Dobson
Date: 1999-02-27
Fuel cells are being widely hailed as a solution to pollution from vehicle exhausts in large cities. Widespread adoption of fuel cell technology, however, is several years, and probably even decades, away.
What many people don't realize, though, is that a solution that meets ever increasingly stringent environmental regulations already exists. And it's an instant fix that can be applied as easily to existing vehicles as new ones rolling of the assembly line.
Alternative Fuel Systems , a small company headquartered in Calgary, Canada, has developed an innovative fuel injection system that makes possible the conversion of gasoline and diesel engines to cleaner burning, economical compressed natural gas (CNG) without losing engine efficiency.
This advanced technology system is being introduced in pilot projects in several countries including Mexico, Peru, India, and China. All indications are that the trials are progressing exceedingly well, leading to multiple orders in the near future.
The AFS Sparrow fuel injection system converts gasoline engines to CNG. The Sparrow brings the performance, durability and emissions benefits of electronic fuel injection to natural gas vehicle operation. Another product, the AFS Eagle, is a multi-point, diesel, dual fuel management system that enables diesel engines to run on natural gas without compromising their performance and efficiency. These two systems, along with AFS's revolutionary reverse-flow catalytic converter, have positioned the company on the cutting edge of global efforts to reduce engine emissions.
Another breakthrough was heralded in the company latest announcement introduced another dual natural gas/diesel system, known as the Eagle II for use at the manufacturing level with new state-of-the-art, all-electronically controlled diesel engines.
In Japan, the AFS Eagle II is currently being installed in ISUZU's high-tech all-electronic 6HHI bus/truck engine, with final JARI (Japanese Automotive Research Institute) certification to follow shortly. JARI certification is a prerequisite to application for Japanese government subsidies and support.
The Eagle II reduces elevated emissions such as NOX (oxides of nitrogen), PM (particulate matter), THC (total hydrocarbon) and CO (carbon monoxide) to levels previously unachievable in the diesel engine. The Eagle II test results exceed Japan's tough 13 mode LEV (Low Emission Vehicle) Standards.
AFS Eagle II Emission Results Exceed LEV Standards (Grams / Kilowatt Hour):
LEV |
AFS |
|
CO |
7.4 |
1.1 |
| NOX |
3.6 |
3.2 |
| THC |
2.9 |
2.4 |
PM |
0.20 |
0.056 |
"This stunning breakthrough technology is the result of very close cooperation between AFS, ISUZU Motor Company, Zexel Fuel Injection Co., Matros Technologies Inc., Johnson Matthey and Engelhard Corp.'' states Paul Newman, AFS Vice President of Engineering. "By applying AFS technologies, the auto industry's newest all-electronic diesel engines can now expect to meet tough new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Air Resources Board (CARB), Japanese Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) and Euro III emission regulations."
The latest developments follow years of road tests, in which hundreds of thousands of kilometres have been logged by ASF's research and development team, AFS's Asian partner ECOS (Nippon Ecology Works System), ISUZU and SENKO. AFS and ECOS believe the time has now arrived for AFS to target major vehicle manufacturers.
Says Gerry Klopp, President and CEO of AFS: "This latest, highly significant development will assure the dominant role of the diesel engine-the workhorse of the automotive industry for a century-will continue well into the new millennium."
Here's how just a few of AFS's international projects stack up:
Beijing: The Beijing municipal authorities have decided to develop and implement a plan to convert vehicle fleets in the city from gasoline/diesel to natural gas. To reduce local air emissions, Beijing intends to convert its entire public fleet, consisting of 5,400 large buses, 10,000 microbuses and 60,000 taxis, to alternative fuels. The conversions are to take place over the next several years. AFS has been asked to proceed immediately with a feasibility study and plans for the pilot program, to enable conversions to be carried out on an expedited basis. The pilot project is expected to start in the first half of 1999.
Mexico City: With Phase I competed and over $2 million received from the sale of 1,080 units, ATF anticipates a "steady stream of orders" for the balance of the project to convert at least 100,000 vehicles over the next 10-year period. The attraction in Mexico is two-fold: the ATF Sparrow will help lower vehicle pollution in the world's most polluted urban area, and commercial fleet owners will enjoy fuel cost savings with lower priced natural gas.
India: Company watchers were expecting "type approval" of the Maruti Esteem passenger car equipped with the AFS Sparrow conversion system in early November. Instead, the company has been requested to equip all four Maruti passenger cars-Esteem, Zen, Omni, and Gypsy-and submit the four for type-testing by the Indian Petroleum Institute in Dehradun at the same time. While this delays the approval until some time in the first quarter of this year, it may ultimately prove more efficient. India is going ahead with the construction of natural gas stations and ATF conversion systems appear to be the systems of choice in the sub-continent.
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