Bi-Fuel Technology & Conversions
 

Bi-Fuel Technology Package and Conversion Solutions
 

The RING POWER® Bi-Fuel System offers an affordable and efficient means of operating diesel engines utilizing both diesel and natural gas (or other available gas) as fuel sources. This innovative, patented system, which requires no modification to the internal components of the engine, allows for operation on natural gas up to a maximum of 70% of the fuel required to maintain the desired speed and load. Reduced exhaust emissions and fuel costs are just a few of the benefits of Bi-Fuel operation.

The system operates by blending both diesel fuel and natural gas in the combustion chamber. This is achieved using a fumigated gas-charge design, whereby natural gas is pre-mixed with engine intake-air and delivered to the combustion chamber via the air-intake valve. The air-gas mixture is ignited when the diesel injector sprays a reduced quantity of diesel fuel into the chamber.

The diesel acts as "pilot" ignition source for the primary air-gas combustible mixture. Because the Bi-Fuel System utilizes the OEM air-intake and diesel injection systems, no internal engine modifications are required for installation.

What does "Bi-Fuel" mean?

In simple terms, Bi-Fuel can be defined as the simultaneous combustion of two fuels. In the case of the Bi-Fuel System, natural gas is utilized in conjunction with diesel fuel to operate the engine. After conversion, the engine is able to operate on either 100% diesel fuel, or alternately, on a mixture of diesel fuel and natural gas (or other methane based fuels). At no time is the engine able to operate on natural gas exclusively.

How does it work?

Compression-ignited Bi-Fuel engines and generators start on 100% diesel fuel. As load is applied, natural gas is added and the amount of diesel fuel is simultaneously decreased.  Engines typically operate on a mixture consisting mostly of natural gas and only enough diesel fuel to facilitate ignition. Bi-Fuel offers extended run times and environmental benefits of natural gas while reducing diesel fuel storage to a manageable amount. Should the natural gas supply be interrupted, the generator switches automatically to 100% diesel operation with no loss of power during the transition.

Additional Advantages

Lower Capital Cost per Kilowatt
Natural gas generators typically cost up to twice as much as comparable diesel units. With the Bi-Fuel System, you get the power of diesel and most of the benefits of natural gas operation for a price that is competitive with a diesel-only unit.

Reduced Emissions
Bi-Fuel generators emit about 30% less nitrogen oxides and 50% less particulate matter than comparably sized diesel-only units.

Excellent Efficiency
As explained above, the Bi-Fuel System replaces diesel fuel with an equivalent quantity of natural gas. This process results in the same net fuel burn vs. load as would be experienced during 100% diesel operation. For each gallon of diesel fuel displaced during Bi-Fuel operation, there is a corresponding consumption of approximately 140 cubic feet of pipeline quality natural gas (based on 129,000 btu/gallon # 2 diesel & 930 btu/scf natural gas). Thus, for each gallon of diesel fuel displaced during Bi-Fuel operation,, an "equivalent gallon" of natural gas is consumed resulting in similar engine fuel efficiencies. (Note: 1 m³ of natural gas = 1 liter # 2 diesel)

Economic Benefits
Fuel cost savings resulting from operation in Bi-Fuel mode will vary according to the respective cost of each of the fuels. If there is a significant cost differential between the cost of diesel fuel (per gallon, liter, etc.) and the equivalent quantity of natural gas (heat value basis) in favor of the natural gas, significant fuel cost savings would result. The closer the fuels are in price, the lower the fuel cost savings will be during Bi-Fuel mode. In addition to fuel cost savings, engine maintenance savings may also contribute to the economic benefit of Bi-Fuel operation.

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