Posted by Michael Hernke [162.158.74.240] on Thursday, November 09, 2017 at 10:17:46 :
In Reply to: Alternative fuels posted by Terry [172.68.189.88] on Wednesday, November 08, 2017 at 12:14:00 :
Propane really isn't cheaper than gas and the primary reason it is used is that it runs at any angle. This appeals to the off road world but with self learning fuel injection that is plug and play on the market I think the interest will taper off. Propane won't go bad so that is a plus for a lightly used vehicle.
The heavy truck industry has done quite a bit with natural gas which is cheaper and very clean burning. You will occasionally see them on the road the tank is a tall flat system that is behind the cab and about as tall. It does not liquify like propane so it takes a very high pressure tank and more space. Because of the high pressure a DOT approved tank will be expensive but they are made. I am pretty sure because of the low molecular weight nat gas will displace more air going into the engine and therefore will reduce power a little. The industrial engines are all forced induction and the higher resistance to detonation of the nat gas makes this work well and forced induction will mitigate the lost airflow into the engine. I have to agree with clueless that a turbo with a flat head would probably work really well and combined with nat gas would make for a really cool "alternative" fuel power plant that is very clean. Overall not cheap but neither is a hybrid or electric conversion.
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