Just when I thought that the day could not get any stranger.........

[mwilson]

I have not really processed the whole idea yet, had no idea that we were getting one of those from the factory.

It has been brought up that there is no DEF, DPF, SCR, or even an EGR on that unit. Gotta' take pause and consider that.

Schwan's has run with propane power long before the greenies started in.

Mike.

 

[jhenderson]

Why is LNG more of a bomb than any other fuel tank? LNG has a very narrow air-fuel ratio for combustion. It's actually one of the safest fuels to transport and the tanks used are far more formidable than you realize. One of the local green groups tried using that very argument against having LNG tankers coming up Narragansett Bay. When the facts were presented they abandoned their argument on that front faster than Pres. Obama would convict a cop.

 

[Wayne M.]

LNG storage tanks have been a source of anger around here for quite a while.
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/02/40_years_ago_today_staten_isla.html

 

[jhenderson]

Anyone think it would have been different if they were gasoline storage tanks? That was the question here. Providence has many huge (50-100 x3-4 story) gasoline storage tanks around the port. The gas is transported up the bay in tanker ships. If there's a fire it wouldnt make any difference which fuel is involved.

 

[fest3er]

There is one advantage to LNG/CNG over propane and other more dense gases. Natural gas (methane) is lighter than air. If a spill should occur, the vapors will rise rapidly, thus reducing the threat of destructive explosion on the ground. CNG is compressed to around 3000 PSI. LNG is down around 250 PSI.

From the little I read, LNG is competitive with other liquid fuels in terms of power and distance. Of course, it's probably considered 'bottled gas' and, thus, prohibited from most tunnels. I can just see 'trains' of LNG-powered semis snaking around US-6 past Arapahoe and Keystone to avoid the tunnels on I-70. In the winter. In blizzards.

Autoignition temps (no spark or flame present):

• Gasoline: 475°F- 576°F
• #2 oil: 494°F
• Methane: 1076°F
• Propane: 878°F

from http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/fuels-ignition-temperatures-d_171.html.

Another interesting bit of info is the explosive and flammability concentration limits, found in http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/explosive-concentration-limits-d_423.html. Note that carbon monoxide, acetic acid (vinegar) and ammonia are explosive and/or flammable.

 

[JR]

LNG storage tanks have been a source of anger around here for quite a while.
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/02/40_years_ago_today_staten_isla.html

Any idea what NASCAR ever wanted property on Staten Island for? Never been there, but have been to enough NASCSAR sanctioned races to know even the smallest of tracks requires hundreds of acres to make it all happen.

 

[AH64ID]

Is it a 100% conversion, such as spark plugs, or does it used diesel for ignition??

 

[mwilson]

I'm not sure, didn't have a lot of time to look it over the other day. It has not returned from the GM shop yet. As soon as it gets back I'm goin' deeper......

Mike.

 

[Wayne M.]

Is it a 100% conversion, such as spark plugs, or does it used diesel for ignition??

If this is the engine I was trained on, It's a XHD version of the popular 6.0 GM SB. It's a SI engine optimized to run CNG/LPG. IIRC, It uses the the regular gasoline injectors too and the only emission control it should have is HO2 and TWC.
If it's not the 6.0, then it may be a GM big block used in the genset industry nowadays. How stupid is GM that they let the sun go down on the MK V big block, and now (IIRC) world industries (race engine parts) is now banging out big blocks for various engine companies for industrial purposes.

JR, ISC bought the very property referenced in the article I linked about the LNG explosion around 2004. They really wanted to make a track. The few gearheads around here were gushing! I remember all the pols going down to Charlotte, which some around here compare Staten Island to as a sister city, and looked around. There was a PAC developed, and for a while things looked good. But since we have such infrastructure issues with traffic as it is, and the local pols attitude of distrust among other things, didn't believe ISC would come through on their promises they have shown in other cities. The plan died a horrible death and ISC took a bath when the property finally sold. You can read about it here. Start from the bottom.

 

[mwilson]

Our guys are wrong, and Wayne is right from what I have just researched on my own here in the last few minutes.

I believe it is the "Pithon" 8.0L shown in the attached link...

http://powertrainintegration.com/2014/05/03/pithon-8-0l-lpi-big-block-receives-new-name/

Mike.

 

[AH64ID]

I was just noticing spark plugs in one of the photos as you posted that...

 

[JR]

I was just noticing spark plugs in one of the photos as you posted that...

Second to last picture. Good catch.


Good info Wayne, thats the first I've heard of it. And who knew the island was even that big, let alone there was 675 acres that haven't been developed yet, lol.

 

[mwilson]

I just sent the link out to the counter guys and will verify the engine as soon as it gets back here....

 

[mwilson]

Second to last picture. Good catch.

Yes, I agree. I see them now.

 

[mwilson]

I don't know if this new development is better or worse........

 

[TFucili]

My 8.1/Ally experience ended in lemon-law.

 

[mwilson]

The head of the tire department wants me to put it into our parts delivery fleet....I have a lot of questions to get answered before I run that idea up the flagpole......I am really concerned with fuel range for starters...

It came with spring ride instead of air which turns me off. I am down to one spring ride truck and I will be ecstatic when that is gone. Too hard on cargo in the spring of the year.

 

[Wayne M.]

Mike, who is this truck for?

 

[mwilson]

Mike, who is this truck for?

I'm not sure what the back story is with it, maybe they toss one in with every 100 Cascadias ordered???:-laf

 

[Wayne M.]

I'm not sure what the back story is with it, maybe they toss one in with every 100 Cascadias ordered???:-laf

Sounds like it's gonna be a house truck. I'd want something more "traditional".