Application of a Low Emission Methanol Engine to a Heavy-Duty Truck - Vehicle Installation and Operating Experience

This paper represents an overview of some basic issues faced by the chassis designer looking at alternate fuels for heavy-duty trucks. Specifically, vehicle modifications required to install a methanol fueled engine, based on the Navistar DT-466 diesel, equipped with an electronically controlled hot surface ignition (glow-plug) system and a catalytic converter.

The engine, operating in a City of South Lake Tahoe truck, is part of an ongoing program sponsored by the California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District to demonstrate clean fuel technology.