Patrick Racing, Katech Engineering plan to bring natural gas to ALMS
In an effort to introduce natural gas into racing, Patrick Racing has selected Katech Engineering to build its engine for the 2013 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Prototype Challenge Class. Over the next month, the companies will work to convert the existing 400+ hp (298+ kW) Chevy engines to natural gas, followed by static and dynamic dyno testing. “There are some inherent benefits to natural gas as a fuel,” said Stephen Chue, President and Technical Director of Katech. “Apart from its domestic abundance, appealing cost, and sustainability, it’s a strong replacement for gasoline or ethanol. Natural gas comes out of the ground at approximately 130 octane, making more power feasible when managed properly.” The use of natural gas in racing engines will also help the ALMS continue as a leader in green racing and keep it at the forefront of automotive technology.
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Prototype art for the natural gas-powered vehicle from the Patrick Racing Team.
Cummins broadens SCR dosing via Hilite acquisition
Cummins Inc. has acquired the emissions control assets of Hilite International in Marktheidenfeld, Germany, and made them part of Cummins Emission Solution (CES), positioning the company to serve all major market applications with a Cummins doser. The selective catalytic reduction (SCR) dosing system developed by Hilite will complement existing Cummins aftertreatment technology, including controls, sensors, catalysts, substrates, and packaging. As part of the acquisition, 133 former Hilite employees have joined Cummins; for now, the business will continue to operate from the plant at Marktheidenfeld. “This acquisition puts Cummins in a strong position to meet the needs of current customers and grow into new markets, especially as an increasing number of regions around the world adopt tougher emissions standards,” said Srikanth Padmanabhan, Vice President and General Manager of CES.
General Motors trials MagneGas alternative metal-working fuel
MagneGas Corp., which converts liquid-based materials into hydrogen-based fuel, removing acetylene from the process, is supplying General Motors with its MagneGas fuel. GM is trialing the fuel in maintenance and metal-working activities at its Grand Blanc Weld & Tool Center in Flint, MI. MagneGas will ship its fuel cylinders from its production facility in Michigan. GM tested MagneGas, assessing its environmental, health, and safety impacts, and found that it cut cleaner, faster, and is more cost-effective than acetylene. GM is working with MagneGas to discuss possible future applications with potential to reduce its environmental impact.
DOE awards grants for energy-saving projects
With the goal of reducing the amount of energy consumed in manufacturing and creating high-quality jobs on American soil, the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded more than $54 million in grants to companies in automotive and other industries for special energy-saving projects. The prime awardees include Delphi Automotive Systems for processes related to making fuel injectors; Dow Chemical for the production of lower-cost carbon fiber; General Motors for a super-vacuum die-casting process using magnesium alloy in doors; PolyPlus Battery for high-density lithium-air, lithium-water, and lithium-sulfur batteries. Ford is a collaborator in two of the projects, including the one for which Dow won a grant. The awardees are contributing a combined $17 million into the 13 projects.
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Delphi’s new micromachining process will increase laser energy efficiency up to 25% over standard practices as it relates to flow control holes in the company's GDi fuel injectors. Several secondary processes, including etching, will be eliminated. The company is partnering with Raydiance Inc. and Microlution Inc. on the project, for which it was awarded a $3.7 million DOE grant.
Honda Fit EV is new fuel-economy king (video)
At 118 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent), the MY2013 Honda Fit EV is tops in fuel economy among models sold in the U.S. It has a U.S. EPA consumption rating of just 29 kW·h/100 mi and an estimated range of 82 mi—more than that of the Ford Focus Electric (105 MPGe, 76 mi), Nissan Leaf (99 MPGe, 73 mi), and Mitsubishi i (112 MPGe, 62 mi). EPA-estimated annual "fuel" cost is $500. The 118 MPGe figure breaks down into 132 city and 105 highway. The 20-kW·h lithium-ion battery can be recharged in less than 3 h at 240 V. The car is designed to the SAE J1772 connector standard for battery recharging.(Watch a video of Fit EV charging here.)
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San Fran gets its first public hydrogen fueling station (video)
In a boost to the future of fuel-cell technology, Linde North America has announced operations start-up of the first public hydrogen fueling station in the San Francisco Bay area. It offers fueling at 350 and 700 bar, the latter providing a refill time for a fuel-cell bus comparable to that of a diesel bus. Located in Emeryville, the station is one of two being supplied by Linde to AC Transit, which is a coalition of regional transport partners serving 7 million people in the Bay Area. The other station, in Oakland, is expected to begin operations in 2013. The Emeryville station was unveiled in a dedication ceremony April 10. It serves 12 fuel-cell buses operated by AC Transit, as well as privately owned fuel-cell passenger vehicles. (See video of the station here.)
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With technology from Linde North America, the station can dispense hydrogen at up to 5 kg/min (11 lb/min)—comparable to the rate at which diesel buses are refueled. The facility also features hydrogen production capability.
China BAK gets govt. grant and industry orders for Li-ion batteries
The federal government of China has given China BAK Battery, Inc. a $1.9 million grant to further work on a battery module project. The module consists of cylindrical lithium-ion cells that can be used in electric vehicles, electric motors, electric bicycles (e-bikes), and power storage. The government funds will be used to further develop the battery module's efficiency and environmental-friendliness. The company also recently announced several supply agreements, including one under which it will deliver 1000 high-power Li-ion batteries in 2012 to Chinese automaker Chery for its Ruilin M1 electric cars.
EU approves test to prevent grid problems from vehicle charging
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) recently approved a measure designed to ensure proper electromagnetic compatibility between the electricity grid and vehicles (battery-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric types) that are being recharged via a plug, according to InterRegs, an online resource for global vehicle safety and emissions regulations. Compliance with these new requirements (in the form of the 04 series of amendments to Regulation No. 10) becomes mandatory from Oct. 28, 2014, for new types of vehicle and from Oct. 28, 2016, for all new vehicles.
Hyundai Heavy and Magna E-Car to develop Li-ion battery
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Magna E-Car Systems, a global supplier of components and systems for hybrid (HEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs), agreed on April 2 to form a joint venture named MAHY E-Cell as a platform to co-develop and grow a battery cell and battery pack business. Under the agreement, HHI and Magna E-Car will jointly conduct engineering, design, development, and testing activities with the goal of preliminary validation of battery cell and battery pack technologies for EV and HEV applications. HHI expects the joint venture, which will be owned 60% by Magna E-Car and 40% by HHI, to serve as a stepping stone to enter the Energy Storage System (ESS) business and plans to link its solar and wind power business with ESS as a new growth opportunity. HHI is an integrated heavy industries company with business divisions specializing in shipbuilding, marine engines and machinery, and construction equipment, among other sectors.
BMW introduces an open-top i8 concept
BMW is now showing an exciting sister vehicle to its upcoming i8 coupe, the i8 Concept Spyder, an open-top version of the two-seater. Both cars employ a plug-in-hybrid powertrain system, in keeping with the i brand's focus on vehicles purpose-designed for electrified powertrains; the third model in the i lineup will be the all-electric i3. The i8 Concept Spyder employs a 96-kW electric motor on the front axle and a turbocharged 164-kW (220-hp) three-cylinder gasoline engine driving the rear wheels—both developed in-house. Combined output is 260 kW (349 hp) and peak torque is 550 N·m (406 lb·ft). Acceleration from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) is in 5 s.
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A roadster, the i8 Concept Spyder (shown) has a slightly shorter wheelbase and overall length than its i8 coupe sister.
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