Development of Bi-fuel CNG Engine based passenger vehicle and Field Trials study in Indian condition

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is being explored as a sustainable renewable fuel for vehicles in India due to mounting foreign exchange expenditure to import crude petroleum. Impending emissions regulations for diesel engines, specifically exhaust particulate emissions have caused engine manufacturers to once again examine the potential of alternative fuels. Much interest has centered on compressed natural gas (CNG) due to its potential for low particulate and hydrocarbon based emissions. Natural gas engine development projects have tended toward the use of current gasoline engine technology (stoichiometric mixtures, closed-loop fuel control and exhaust catalysts). Significant amount of research and development work is being undertaken in India to investigate various aspects of CNG utilization in different types of engines.

This paper discusses about the development of the bi-fuel CNG engine for passenger vehicular application. The impact of using CNG was studied in terms of cold start ability, drive-ability, acceleration, max speed, grade ability, fuel economy and exhaust emissions. The field trial of the CNG vehicle had been made to study the impact of CNG used on the engine parts and vehicle emission.