Re:The Rock Says... (Score 1)

There is a company working on clean powerful diesels using Natural Gas and diesel. 90%/10% ratios the results are more power and clean exhaust. I question the variable Valve timming though due to high cyl presures @ 2400psi (22:1 ratio). Here's an excerpt of a news release from canada news wire: Westport Concludes Successful Prototype Transit Bus Demonstration Cummins has spent 1.5Billion $ and 9 yrs R&D into the ISX engine, 600HP plus 1500lbs or more of torque. 2million diesels on road at any given time around the world. 265K sold yearly in US(these are class 8 Heavy trucks only not cars) VANCOUVER, April 14 /CNW/ - Westport Innovations Inc. (WPT:TSE) announced today that it will conclude a three-bus demonstration of its low emissions technology this summer at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB). The announcement follows the successful completion of the government-funded phase of the demonstration, which ends April 15, 2000. The buses were used in revenue passenger service to demonstrate the power, performance, maintainability and driveability of diesel engines using Westport prototype fuel system technology. California's Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the California Air Resources Board and the California Energy Commission funded the project. ``The demonstration program was a great success,'' said Kevin Mathy, Manager of the University's transit system. ``The buses performed beyond our expectations. The excellent acceleration and hill climbing performance of the Westport-equipped buses impressed us. Also, we have thoroughly enjoyed working as a partner with Westport Innovations for the past three years. This was an excellent program that involved several agencies and organizations who greatly contributed to its success.'' As of mid-April, the three demonstration buses have been driven more than 5,200 hours and 70,000 kilometres (43,500 miles) during 38 combined months of service using Westport technology. For each bus, Westport converted a used Detroit Diesel 277 horsepower 6V-92 engine to operate primarily on clean-burning natural gas instead of oil-based diesel fuel. In a previously disclosed laboratory emissions test, Westport technology produced a reduction of 70% in particulate matter (PM), 37% in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 17% in carbon dioxide (CO2) compared with the same 6V-92 engine operating solely on diesel fuel. In a previously disclosed preliminary road test, a Westport-equipped bus accelerated twice as fast from 0 to 55 miles per hour and climbed a steep hill quicker than a similar diesel-fuelled bus. ``The lessons learned from the UCB demonstration will prove invaluable as we get set to launch our prototype heavy-duty trucks into commercial service later this year,'' said David Demers, Westport's President and Chief Executive Officer. ``We now know that our technology can work in the daily grind of fleet service, meeting the needs of drivers, mechanics and management.'' Westport technology uses high pressure direct injection (HPDI) to introduce natural gas into the engine cylinders as the primary fuel. The natural gas is ignited by a separate, prior injection of a small amount of diesel fuel. Westport technology is intended to retain all of the performance and fuel economy of diesel engines while lowering emissions to meet future targets set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for NOx and PM. Westport's fuel systems are also intended to significantly reduce CO2 emissions to meet proposed global warming initiatives. Westport's strategy is to develop natural gas technology for diesel engines through key strategic alliances. Westport Innovations is working with Cummins Engine Company, Inc. of Columbus, Indiana to develop natural gas fuelled diesel engines for heavy-duty trucking and electric power generation. Separately, with Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan, Westport Innovations is developing the enabling technologies for a natural gas fuelled diesel engine for light-duty vehicles. Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements about Westport's plans for its technology based on the current expectations of management. Westport cautions investors that due to risks and uncertainties, actual events may differ materially from current expectations