NatGasCar LLC Announces Partnership with AVS LLC on Certification of 2013 Ford F150.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cleveland, Ohio – June 28, 2013 – NatGasCar, LLC has made a strategic investment in Utah based AVS, LLC to certify, manufacture and market a proprietary CNG Conversion System for installation on the 2012 & 2013 Ford F150 5.0L engine.  The partnership combines the manufacturing and distribution capability of NatGasCar with the installation expertise of AVS.  The partnership enables NatGasCar to better serve customers in the western United States, while providing an east coast installation location for AVS.   Brad Trembath, President of NatGasCar, stated, “a partnership with AVS is the perfect platform to introduce the 2013 Ford 150 system to a national customer base.”   Scott Brandeberry of AVS noted that both companies share dedication to outstanding customer service and advancement of CNG vehicle technology.  AVS has developed the numerous products for CNG vehicles including AVS High Pressure Component such as Duramount fueling ports, injector adaptors, fuel rails, and CNG tank packages.  NatGasCar conversion systems feature a uniquely engineered manifold exchange program that requires no drilling or tapping of manifolds. The Ford F150 systems are expected to be available for delivery in early July 2013.

NatGasCar has CNG Conversion Systems approved by the EPA for use on engines in the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Journey, Chrysler 200, Dodge Ram 1500, GM Silverado/Sierra 2500/3500, and the GM Express/Savana full size van. These conversion systems enable vehicles to fuel with clean-burning, lower cost, compressed natural gas (CNG), in addition to gasoline. The primary market for these systems is high mileage commercial vehicles that can benefit quickly from lower fuel and maintenance costs.  The growing number of CNG fueling stations across the United States has created a higher demand for the CNG Conversion System and tank packages developed by both NatGasCar and AVS.   

About AVS, LLC and NatGasCar, LLC

AVS uses a proprietary ISO 9001:2008 compliant methods for CNG installation and is a national leader in conversion technology.   Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, AVS has a strong relationship with the Utah Clean Cities Organization and numerous ANGA members.  NatGasCar LLC is a recognized leader in the alternative fuel industry.  Their proprietary system uses a patent injection system to provide a cost effective and reliable conversion product. All EPA-certified systems developed by NatGasCar use the ISO 9000:2008 management process to develop our products.

AVS, LLC Contact Information

Scott Brandeberry: scott@avs-cng.com  site: www.avs-cng.com (801) 293-0555

NatGasCar LLC Contact Information

John Laine –jlaine@natgascar.com  site: www.natgascar.com (216) 692-3700

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July Question of the Month

Question of the Month: What are the key terms to know when discussing natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and their fueling infrastructure?

Answer: As with all alternative fuels, it is important to know how to “talk the talk” when it comes to natural gas. Becoming familiar with the terms below will help you better understand NGVs and the associated fueling infrastructure, so that you can ask the right questions and make informed decisions:

Fuel Types

·         Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): CNG is a gaseous fuel stored in a cylinder on the vehicle at a high pressure (see “psi” below). It may be kept in the vehicle cylinder for long periods of time without venting. A CNG vehicle gets about the same fuel economy as a conventional gasoline vehicle on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis (see “GGE” below). CNG is used in light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicle applications.

 

·         Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): LNG is produced by super-cooling natural gas to negative 260°F in order to convert it to a liquid. The fuel is stored in a double-walled, vacuum-sealed pressure vessel. LNG is appropriate for trucks and other heavy-duty applications that require a long range because liquid is more dense than gas (CNG) and more energy can be stored by volume in the vehicle’s tank. LNG stored in a vehicle will increase in temperature and pressure over time and vent; therefore, LNG should be used within a week or two of fueling.

·         Renewable Natural Gas (RNG): Also known as biogas or biomethane, this emerging fuel source is derived from decaying organic materials, such as waste from plants, landfills, wastewater, and livestock. After purification, RNG may be compressed or liquefied to fuel vehicles.

 

Vehicle Types

• Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV): There are three different types of NGVs available:

• Dedicated Vehicle: Dedicated vehicles are designed to run only on natural gas and are used in both light-duty and heavy-duty applications. In general, dedicated NGVs demonstrate better performance and have lower emissions than bi-fuel vehicles (see below).

• Bi-fuel Vehicle: These vehicles are able to run on either natural gas or gasoline because they have two separate fueling systems. Bi-fuel vehicles are typically light-duty models.

• Dual-fuel Vehicle: These vehicles are traditionally used in heavy-duty applications and have fuel systems that run on natural gas, but use diesel fuel as the source of ignition.

Fuel Measurement and Characteristics

• CNG and LNG may be measured in:

• Gasoline Gallon Equivalents (GGE): A unit of measure that represents the quantity of fuel that contains the same amount of energy as one gallon of gasoline. Measuring fuel in GGEs is a good way of comparing natural gas to gasoline, particularly when looking at fuel price or range. A GGE is equal to about 5.66 pounds of CNG and 1.55 gallons of LNG.*

• Diesel Gallon Equivalent (DGE): A unit of measure that represents the quantity of fuel that contains the same amount of energy as one gallon of diesel. A DGE is equal to about 6.34 pounds of CNG and 1.72 gallons of LNG.*

• CNG is also measured in:
  • Cubic feet (ft³): CNG is a gas, so it may be measured by volume. MCF represents 1,000 cubic feet.

• Pounds (lbs.): CNG may also be measured in mass. Approximately 21 cubic feet of CNG equals one pound.

• LNG is also measured in gallons, much like gasoline or diesel.

• Pounds per Square Inch (psi): Psi is a measurement of the CNG pressure when it is delivered through the dispenser to a vehicle cylinder. CNG is typically stored onboard a vehicle at a pressure of 3,000 to 3,600 psi. The vehicle psi rating is important because it indicates the psi that the fuel system, vehicle cylinder, and the safety hardware are capable of handling safely.

Station Components

• CNG stations have the following components:

• Compressor: The device used to compress natural gas to a high pressure

• Storage Tank: Once the gas is compressed, the CNG is moved to storage vessel(s) or tank(s) specially designed for the fuel.

• Temperature Compensation: The temperature of CNG is important because it affects the density and energy per unit volume of the fuel. At higher temperatures, CNG expands and becomes less dense, causing it to contain less energy per unit volume as it would at a lower temperature. The temperature compensation devices ensure that the CNG is delivered to the vehicle at the appropriate pressure in relationship to the ambient temperature.

• Dispenser: The device used to transfer CNG into a vehicle’s tank. A typical CNG dispenser displays the pressure and temperature at which the tank is being filled and calculates the amount of fuel being delivered.

• LNG stations also have storage tanks and dispensers, but do not require a compressor or temperature compensation devices.

CNG Infrastructure Types

• The following are two different types of CNG infrastructure:

• Fast-fill: Drivers fueling their vehicles at a fast-fill station can fill up in approximately the same amount of time as a conventional vehicle at a gasoline or diesel station. This set-up is best suited for retail stations, where vehicles arrive in need of a quick fill, and CNG can be dispensed alongside gasoline or other fuel dispensers. Fast-fill stations receive low-pressure natural gas from the local utility line and employ a compressor on site. Once compressed, the CNG is stored at high pressures so it can be delivered quickly to a vehicle. As such, fast-fill stations may have smaller compressors but a larger storage capacity than time-fill stations.

• Time-fill: At a time-fill station, a vehicle may take several minutes to many hours to fill up; the time depends on the number of vehicles fueling, compressor size, and storage. Time-fill stations are typically used for fleets with central refueling locations or private stations that allow vehicles to fill up overnight. Time-fill stations can also work for smaller applications, such as residential fueling infrastructure. The natural gas is also drawn from a local utility line into a compressor on site. Time-fill stations may have larger compressors and the vehicles are generally filled directly from the compressor. Time-fill stations have an advantage over fast-fill stations in that their heat of recompression is less so that vehicles at these stations usually get a fuller tank of fuel than with fast-fill.

Additional information on natural gas production and distribution, NGVs, and natural gas infrastructure can be found on the Alternative Fuel Data Center website (http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/natural_gas.html). The NVGAmerica website also provides a wealth of information on natural gas and natural gas vehicles (http://www.ngvc.org/)

Clean Cities Technical Response Service Team

World’s First Dual Fuel, CNG Piston Powered Aircraft To Be Unveiled At AirVenture 2013

 

CONTACTS:         Stu Horn, Aviat Aircraft, Inc.

                                Cell: 914-525-5891

                                Suzanne Herrick, Fedoruk & Associates, Inc.

                                Cell: 612-247-3079, suzanne@fedorukinc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

World’s First Dual Fuel, CNG Piston Powered Aircraft

To Be Unveiled At AirVenture 2013

Innovative Aircraft Operates on Compressed Natural Gas and Aviation Gasoline

OSHKOSH, WIS. (JULY 26, 2013) – Airplane manufacturer Aviat Aircraft, Inc. and Minneapolis-based Aviation Foundation of America, Inc. today announced the scheduled unveiling of the first dual fuel, piston powered aircraft to operate on both compressed natural gas (CNG) and aviation gasoline. The Aviat Husky CNG will be on display outside the Innovations Pavilion throughout AirVenture 2013 which takes place in Oshkosh, Wis., from July 29 through Aug. 4. The organizations will host a news conference on July 31 at 9:30 a.m. CDT in front of the aircraft at the Innovations Pavilion.

“This is a remarkable proof-of-concept airplane,” said Stu Horn, president of Aviat Aircraft. “While adapting our standard Husky aircraft into this dual fuel configuration was not without challenges, it was well worth it. The performance and ease of operations have exceeded our expectations.”

The Aviat Husky CNG, which flew more than 1,000 miles from Aviat’s headquarters in Afton, Wy., to be at AirVenture,  can be powered by CNG or 100LL aviation gasoline with the flip of a switch. It is a standard Aviat Husky A1-C that has been fitted with a CNG fuel tank in addition to its standard aviation gasoline tanks with a capacity of 50 gallons. The aircraft is powered by a 200 h.p., four cylinder Lycoming aircraft engine with a cruise speed of 143 m.p.h. The flight endurance at 65 percent power setting is approximately seven hours.

From Concept to Reality

Greg Herrick, president of the Aviation Foundation of America approached Aviat’s president in early 2013 with the idea of building an aircraft to demonstrate the advantages natural gas can offer general aviation aircraft.

“Among the many advantage of using CNG are fuel cost savings, cleaner burning fuel and no lead emissions,” said Greg Herrick, president of the Aviation Foundation of America. “I’m impressed with how Aviat readily agreed to tackle this project, working with a team of engineers and craftsmen within the aviation and natural gas industries. The result is a sophisticated solution which can be readily applied to a variety of piston powered aircraft.”

Compressed natural gas power is up to 80 percent less expensive than the national average of $6-per-gallon aviation gasoline. There is no lead in compressed natural gas, the presence of which is currently a significant issue with aviation gasoline. It is also a much cleaner burning fuel, reducing smog pollutants by 90 percent and reducing CO₂ emissions by 30 percent. Engine oil remains significantly cleaner therefore improving engine life, while aircraft performance is enhanced as CNG typically burns 138 octane versus the current 100 octane of aviation gasoline.

“One aspect we’re particularly excited about is the opportunity to dramatically reduce the cost of learning to fly,” added Herrick. “If a flight school installs a simple CNG refueling station they can cut the cost for the student’s fuel, perhaps by thousands of dollars. And, the fuel is available where ever there is a natural gas line.”

About Aviat Aircraft and the Husky A-1C

Aviat Aircraft of Afton, Wy., manufactures the Husky, Pitts Special and complete kits for the Eagle biplane. The Husky, “America’s favorite taildragger,” has become the most versatile aircraft in its class. It is designed for off-airport landings, for recreational flying as well as observation and cargo hauling operations. It can be flown at any time of the year and needs little more than a clearing to be able to land. For more information, visit www.AviatAircraft.com and www.AviatAircraft.com/CNG

About the Aviation Foundation of America
Minneapolis-based Aviation Foundation of America is a 501(c)3 public charity designed to preserve and promote America’s aviation heritage at a grassroots level through initiatives such as historic flight re-creations, airport preservation projects, educational programs and endeavors that reduce barriers to flying.

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More Information at: www.AviatAircraft.com/CNG

On the Road to Energy Independence

On the Road to Energy Independence