In a conference call Tuesday, Sept. 23, with the Southeastern States NGV Corridor Committee – a group comprised of more than 100 NGV-interested stakeholders located primarily in the southeast region of the country – Westport Sales Manager Al Smith says his company has developed a complimentary component that could help the Cummins Westport ISX 12 G revolutionize natural gas’ spot in the marketplace.
Westport pulled back the curtain on its iCE PACK Tank System at the ACT Expo in June with on-board pump and refrigeration capabilities that were departures from conventional LNG tank delivery systems.
“There are not many ways to deliver fuel to a natural gas engine,” Smith says. “We believe there are applications where colder fuel is better.”
Cold LNG delivery isn’t without its advantages, the first of which is its range.
“In the same given space we can get about 10 percent more fuel…compared to a warm tank system,” Smith says.
Also, the iCE PACK’s cold storage capabilities increase hold times since cold fuel goes into the tank at a lower pressure.
“It takes a longer time for tank pressure to build up to vent fuel,” Smith says, adding Westport has been able to push typical hold times from an average of five days to 11 days on a full tank of fuel.
