Page 48 - SD_NG_BC

This is a SEO version of SD_NG_BC. Click here to view full version

« Previous Page Table of Contents Next Page »

42 Downstream Natural Gas Copyright © 2014 by SDTC

9.6 Transportation

Next Generation NG Gas Turbine Engines

The first generation of NG turbine engines for marine applications are approaching readiness for commercialization. The identified need is for continued innovation focused on improved efficiency and/or lowering capital cost to increase market penetration. Innovation could include for example: integrated combined cycles; advanced premix systems; advanced combustion stability technologies; plasma assisted technologies; advanced combustion modeling; and technologies to extending the engine operating envelope. It is expected that many technologies within this need will take 10+ years to reach commercialization.

Next Generation NG Piston Engines – LDVs, LHDVs, MHDVs, HHDVs, and Rail

This technology need focuses on both improving natural gas engines, and technical innovation required to scale engines to different applications. In general, there is a need for technologies that will reduce combustion temperature, improve lean burning to reduce emissions, and enhance on-board fuel-related diagnostics (composition, oil content, level, etc.). This technology need was assessed for different engine sizes and applications, with one of the key differences being expected market uptake: HDVs and rail are expected to have the greatest market uptake in the medium term, whereas market share of natural gas LDVs is only expected to become more significant in the long-term.

Alternative Engine Architectures

Alternative engine architectures include other types of engines that use natural gas, such as fuel cells and a range of hybridization options (e.g. electric/battery, compressed air etc.). A higher degree of risk is associated with the development of this technology compared to turbine and piston engines.

Economic Micro LNG Liquefaction Units (e.g. <10,000 gal/day)

LNG production is currently most economic at larger volumes. While much of the production for use in transportation (and remote community and industry heat and/or power generation) will likely be able to be sourced from larger facilities, smaller volume production is expected to enable increased adoption of LNG.

On-board Fuel Storage, Including Reduced Tank Weight/Size and LNG Fuel Boil-off

This technology need is seen as a necessary component of reducing the capital cost of NG vehicles. Technologies could include for example: new tank structural materials that are lighter or allow conformable/non-cylindrical vessels; new LNG tank insulation technologies; new porous adsorbent materials that allow more compact storage yet retain fast CNG fill rates. These technologies are considered to be at an earlier stage of development with a moderate degree of technical risk to bring them to market.

CNG and Long-term LNG Storage (Fuelling Infrastructure)

Fuel storage is a necessary component of required fuelling infrastructure. Technology needs will be similar to on-board fuel storage, with an additional need for LNG tank insulation systems that provide even greater longer-term storage, or which economically utilize boil-off gas in order to reduce/eliminate tank venting GHG emissions and, for example, CNG compression systems that reduce the effect of heat of compression, or new instruments and equipment that lowers the cost to modify repair/service facilities (e.g. innovative gas monitoring or heat recovery). There is also a needs for technologies used in transferring CNG and LNG to and from storage, such as vaporizers, transfer hoses, and nozzles. These technologies are considered to be at an earlier stage of development with a moderate degree of technical risk to bring them to market.

Home-fuelling Systems for LDVs

In order for NG vehicles to penetrate the passenger market, there is a need for distributed fuelling systems (e.g. home refueling appliances, or HRAs) which simplify the fuelling experience for consumers. This could include compressor innovation as part of a system that decreases required fill times. Only a moderate uptake of NG vehicles is expected in the LDV market in the medium to long-term.

Optimized Bi-Fuel Engines

This need includes technologies to increase NG efficiency in bi-fuel engines. Areas of technology innovation could include fuel injection, pressure regulation and on-board fuel conditioning. Bi-fuel vehicles are expected to be most important in the LDV market, and may accelerate adoption of LDV vehicles that use natural gas. However, the LDV market would still only expect moderate uptake, and environmental benefits would be limited by the fact that the vehicles would use gasoline a portion of the time.

Page 48 - SD_NG_BC

This is a SEO version of SD_NG_BC. Click here to view full version

« Previous Page Table of Contents Next Page »