Diesel Methane Research Group
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
9-4-2012 10:00 AM
End Date
9-4-2012 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Automotive and Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Bruce Jones
Mentor's Department
College of Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Diesel and compressed natural gas, or methane gas, are two common fuels used every year in many industries and households. When these two fuels are utilized simultaneously in one unit, such as a Diesel engine, it is referred to as a Dual Fuel system. The benefits of such a system include major cost cuts, lower harmful emissions, and higher engine efficiencies. The compressed natural gas (CNG) used in our research was provided to us by Environmental Technologies, Inc. Their focus is a unique process for digesting manure from farms, which collects and cleans the methane gas provided from the waste. This creates a clean CNG product usable for our diesel engine. To perform our research we utilized a computerized CNG injection system which converts CNG from high to low pressure, while injecting it in precise amounts in the engine. The data that we have collected includes exhaust emissions and efficiency readings from the engine while running on just Diesel, and then while running the Dual Fuel system. We were able to take this data and analyze it to prove that the Dual Fuel combination provides benefits. The standard operating procedures used in the research process were developed based on standards set by the Code of Federal Regulations and similar published research. Creating an optimum balance of the two fuels during use will allow for the highest capital return, while allowing companies and operations that have a CNG source to translate its energy opportunity to a readily available transportation fuel.
Diesel Methane Research Group
CSU Ballroom
Diesel and compressed natural gas, or methane gas, are two common fuels used every year in many industries and households. When these two fuels are utilized simultaneously in one unit, such as a Diesel engine, it is referred to as a Dual Fuel system. The benefits of such a system include major cost cuts, lower harmful emissions, and higher engine efficiencies. The compressed natural gas (CNG) used in our research was provided to us by Environmental Technologies, Inc. Their focus is a unique process for digesting manure from farms, which collects and cleans the methane gas provided from the waste. This creates a clean CNG product usable for our diesel engine. To perform our research we utilized a computerized CNG injection system which converts CNG from high to low pressure, while injecting it in precise amounts in the engine. The data that we have collected includes exhaust emissions and efficiency readings from the engine while running on just Diesel, and then while running the Dual Fuel system. We were able to take this data and analyze it to prove that the Dual Fuel combination provides benefits. The standard operating procedures used in the research process were developed based on standards set by the Code of Federal Regulations and similar published research. Creating an optimum balance of the two fuels during use will allow for the highest capital return, while allowing companies and operations that have a CNG source to translate its energy opportunity to a readily available transportation fuel.
Recommended Citation
Mann, Chelsea; Calvin Smith; Pvakash Shakya; Michael Nelson; and Satish Nakarmi. "Diesel Methane Research Group." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 9, 2012.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2012/poster-session-A/4
