DOE/BNL Liquid Natural Gas Heavy Vehicle Program

Abstract

As a means of lowering greenhouse gas emissions, increasing economic growth, and reducing the dependency on imported oil, the Department of Energy and Brookhaven National Laboratory (DOE/ BNL) is promoting the substitution of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in heavyvehicles that are currently being fueled by diesel. Heavy vehicles are defined as Class 7 & 8 trucks (> 118,000 pounds GVVV), and transit buses that have a fuel usage greater than 10,000 gallons per year and driving range of more than 300 miles. The key in making LNG marketcompetitive with all types of diesel fuels is in improving energy efficiency and reducing costs of LNG technologies through systems integration. This paper integrates together the three LNG technologies of: (1) production from landfills and remote well sites; (2) cryogenic fuel delivery systems; and (3) state-of-the-art storage tank and refueling facilities, with market end-use strategies. The program's goal is to develop these technologies and strategies under a "green" and "clean" strategy. This "green" approach reduces the net contribution of global warming gases by reducing levels of methane and carbon dioxide released by heavy vehicles usage to below recoverable amounts of natural gas from landfills and other natural resources. Clean technology refers to efficient use of energy with low environmental emissions. The objective of the program is to promote fuel competition by having LNG priced between $0.40 -$0.50 per gallon with a combined production, fuel delivery and engine systems efficiency approaching 45%. This can make LNG a viable alternative to diesel.

On the comparative advantage of U.S. manufacturing: Evidence from the shale gas revolution

“…These shares are significantly lower than 1. The Department of Energy estimates that e w = 35%, while e l may range between 15% -40% (see Wegrzyn et al (1998)). This suggest that the energy costs for liquefaction can range anywhere between 100kJ -268 kJ, suggesting energy losses range between 11.2%-30% from the liquefaction process alone.…”

Natural Gas as a Fuel Option for Heavy Vehicles

“…The DOE/BNL program plan is specifically aimed at achieving cost reductions and improved performance of natural gas vehicles and refueling stations by supporting R&D in liquid natural gas production, storage and refueling systems. Elements of the plan include the following: (1) eliminating evaporative greenhouse gas emissions; (2) recovering 25% of the energy of liquefying and transporting natural gas; (3) increasing onboard fuel storage capacity by 40% for compressed natural gas (CNG) and 25% for LNG; and (4) developing a safe, low-pressure adsorbent natural gas storage system. The following sections summarize the DOE/BNL projects in terms of their objectives, progress and achievements to date.…”

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ABSTRACTThe U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies (OHVT) is promoting the use of natural gas as a fuel option in the transportation energy sector through its natural gas vehicle program [1]. The goal of this program is to eliminate the technical and cost barriers associated with displacing imported petroleum.

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Liquefied Natural Gas for Trucks and Buses

“…In order to meet the growing needs of the trucking industry and stricter clean air requirements, the Department of Energy -Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies (DOE-OHVT) has undertaken an R&D program to develop fuel efficient, low-emissions trucks. Under the Natural Gas Vehicle Systems Program support is provided in developing liquefied natural gas technologies in the areas of production, storage tanks and refueling systems [1,2]. Specific program goals include the following: (1) eliminating evaporative greenhouse gas emissions; (2) recovering 25% of the energy of liquefying and transporting natural gas; and (3) increasing onboard fuel storage capacity by 40% for compressed natural gas (CNG) and 25% for LNG.…”