Cost Analysis of Fuel Cell System for Transportation: Baseline System Cost Estimate
3/1/2000
This 65-page report summarizes the results of a Department of Energy-funded assessment of the cost of a 50 kW fuel cell system for transportation including a multi-fuel capable reformer, a PEM fuel cell, and balance-of-plant components. The assessment program was supported by the system modeling group within Argonne National Laboratory.
Program Analysis Methodology Office of Transportation Technologies Quality Metrics Final Report 2001
2/23/2000
This report focuses on the projected benefits of the forty-one programs currently supported through the Office of Transportation Technologies (OTT) under EE/RE. For analytical purposes, these various benefits are subdivided in terms of Planning Units which are related to the OTT program structure. The scope of this report encompasses light vehicles including passenger automobiles and class 1 & 2 (light) trucks, as well as class 3 through 8 (heavy) trucks. The range of light vehicle technologies investigated include electric, hybrid electric, fuel cell, advanced diesel, natural gas fueled, and stratified charge direct-injection. A future distribution of light vehicle sizes, applications, and performance levels is calculated based on current vehicle stocks and trends, and consumer preferences. The heavy vehicle technologies investigated include hybrid, natural gas-fueled and advanced diesel. The effects of advanced materials technologies across all vehicle types are also analyzed.
Authors: Patterson, P.; Maples, J.;Moore, J.; Birky, A.
Notes: This report is available in PDF format on the Office of Transportation Technology's Web site http://www.ott.doe.gov/facts/publications/QM2001.pdf
Development of a Direct Injected Natural Gas Engine System for Heavy-duty Vehicles. Final Report Phase I
2/1/2000
The report summarizes the results of the first year Phase 1 of this contract. Phase 1 focused on developing a 4-stroke cycle, DI single fuel alternative fuel technology that will duplicate or exceed diesel power density and thermal efficiency, while having exhaust emissions equal to or less than the diesel. Although the work is currently on a 3500 Series DING engine, the work is viewed as 'basic technology' development that can be applied to any engine. Phase 1 concentrated on DING engine component durability, exhaust emissions, and fuel handling system durability. Task 1 focused on identifying primary areas (e.g. ignition assist and gas injector systems) for future durability testing. In Task 2, eight mode-cycle-averaged NOx emissions were reduced from 11.8 gm/hp-hr to 2.5 gm/hp-hr on a 3501 DING engine. In Task 3, a state-of-the-art fuel handling system was identified. Please note that this report was written in February 1997, but published April 2000.
Authors: Cox, FB;Del Vecchio,WJ;Hays, WJ;Hiltner, JD;Nagaraj, R;Emmer,
Development of a Direct Injected Natural Gas Engine System for Heavy-duty Vehicles. Final Report Phase II
2/1/2000
The report summarizes the results of Phase 2 of this contract. Four tasks were completed under this phase. 1. Developed a computational fluid dynamics model of a 3500 direct injected natural gas (DING) engine gas injection/combustion system. 2. Designed and procured the components for a 3126 DING engine (300 hp) and finished assembling it. 3. Developed a decision and Risk Analysis model to compare DING engine technology with various other engine technologies in a number of commercial applications. 4. MVE, Inc. completed a preliminary design concept study that examines the major design issues involved in making a reliable and durable 3000 psi LNG pump. Plans for the next phase of this program have been put on indefinite hold. Caterpillar has decided not to fund further DING work at this time due to limited current market potential for the DING engine.
Authors: Cox, FB;Del Vecchio,WJ;Hays, WJ;Hiltner, JD;Nagaraj, R;Emmer, C
Limited Progress in Acquiring Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Reaching Fuel Goals
2/1/2000
with the first deadline approaching for EPAct's petroleum replacement goals the GAO was asked to review progress towards achieving EPACT goals. gao was asked to determine the progress made in acquiring alternative fuel vehicles and using altnerative fuels to meeting the act's fuel replacement goals. Also, GAO determined the impediments to using alternative fuel vehicles and the measures that can be taken to address those impediments in order to reach the act's replacement goals.
Development of the Next Generation Medium-Duty Natural Gas Engine Final Report
2/1/2000
This report summarizes the work done under this subcontract in the areas of System Design, System Fabrication and Experimental program. The report contains the details of the engine development process for achieving throttleless stratified charge spark ignition (SI) Program. Engine test results showing the potential of the direct-injection stratified charge combustion strategy for increasing par-load engine efficiency on a John Deere 8.1-liter natural gas engine are also included in this report. In addition, steady state and step transient engine data are presented that quantify the performance of a variable geometry turbocharger (VTG) as well as modified waste-gated turbocharger on the engine. The benefits of the technologies investigated during this project will be realized in the form of increased drive-cycle efficiency to diesel-like levels, while retaining the low emissions characteristics of a lean-burn gas engine.
Authors: Podnar, D.J.; Kubesh, J.T.
Demonstration of Caterpillar C-10 Dual-Fuel Engines in MCI 102DL3 Commuter Buses
1/1/2000
The purpose of this program was to demonstrate the Caterpillar C-10 Dual-Fuel Natural Gas (DFNG) engine in an over-the-road bus application. Three new Motor Coach Industries (MCI) 102DL3 buses, equipped with Caterpillar C-10 DFNG engines, and one bus, equipped with a Caterpillar C-10 diesel engine, were operated side by side on similar fixed-route revenue service for a 12-month demonstration period (February 1998 to January 1999). The buses were used as part of the Clean Air Express Commuter Bus Program in Santa Barbara County, California. The performance and reliability of the DFNG engines were similar to that of the diesel engine, but the emissions results were mixed.
Mack LNG Vehicle Development
1/1/2000
The goal of this project was to install a production-ready state-of-the-art engine control system on the Mack E7G natural gas engine to improve efficiency and lower exhaust emissions. In addition, the power rating was increased from 300 brake horsepower (bhp) to 325 bhp. The emissions targets were oxides of nitrogen plus nonmethane hydrocarbons of less than 2.5 g/bhp-hr and particulate matter of less than 0.05 g/bhp-hr on 99 percent methane. Vehicle durability and field testing were also conducted. Further development of this engine should include efficiency improvements and oxides of nitrogen reductions.
A Full Fuel Cycle Analysis of Energy and Emissions Impacts of Transportation Fuels Produced from Natural Gas
12/1/1999
Because of its abundance and because it offers significant energy and envirnomental advantages, natural gas has been promoted for use in motor vehicles. A number of transportation fuels are produced from natural gas: each is distinct in terms of upstream production activities and vehicle usage. In this study, researchers evaluated eight fuels produced from natural gas - compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, methanol, hydrogen, dimethyl ether, Fischer-Tropsch diesel, and electricity - for use in five types of motor vehicles - spark-ignition vehicles, compression-ignition vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, battery-powered electric vehicles, and fuel-cell vehicles. Because of great uncertainties associated with advances in both fuel production and vehicle technologies, near-term and long-term fuels and vehicle technologies were evaluated separately. The study reveals that, in general, the use of petroleum-based fuels reduces energy use and emissions relative to use of petroleum-based gasoline and diesel fuel, although different natural gas-based fuels in different vehicle technologies can have significantly different energy and emissions impacts.
Authors: Wang, M.;Huang, H.
Notes: This document is available on the Argonne National Laboratory Transportation Technology Research and Development Center Web Site - http://www.transportation.anl.gov/ttrdc/pdfs/TA/13.pdf
Evaluation of Electric Vehicle Production and Operating Costs
11/1/1999
This report presents an analysis of the initial cost of electric vehicles (EVs). The manufacturing and retail cost structure of mature conventional vehicles produced at high volume is analyzed first, and the contributions by various cost categories to vehicle price are estimated. The costs are then allocated to such vehicle component groups as body, chassis, and powertrain. The similarities and differences among various component systems are reviewed. In electric vehicles an electric drive replaces the conventional powertrain, and a battery pack replaces the fuel system. Three types of traction motors are reviewed, and their cost in high-volume production is analyzed. Various components of the motor and controller package are analyzed, and their representative costs are summarized. Four types of EV batteries are reviewed, and their costs are presented. Various alternatives for the low-, medium, and high-volume production of EVs are evaluated, and some sample costs are presented. A methodology that estimates initial and operating costs on the basis of this analysis is presented. The methodology also estimates the average lifetime cost of owning and operating an electric vehicle.
Authors: Cuenca, R.;Gains, L.;Vyas, A.
Notes: This document is available on the Argonne National Laboratory Transportation Technology Research and Development Center Web Site: http://www.transportation.anl.gov/ttrdc/publications/pdfs/esd-41.pdf
Chassis Dynamometer Emission Measurements from Trucks and Buses using Dual-Fuel Natural Gas Engines
10/25/1999
Emissions from trucks and buses equipped with Caterpillar dual-fuel natural gas (DFNG) engines were measured at two chassis dynamometer facilities: the West Virginia University (WVU) Transportable Emissions Laboratory and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA MTA). Emissions were measured over four different driving cycles. The average emissions from the trucks and buses using DFNG engines operating in dual-fuel mode showed the same trends in all tests - reduced oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions and increased hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions - when compared to similar diesel trucks and buses. The extent of NOx reduction was dependent on the type of test cycle used.
Authors: Norton, P.;Frailey, M.;Clark, N.;Lyons, D.;Gautam, M.;Addy, J.;Beck, N.