LPG DELIVERS BIG SAVINGS FOR DIESEL TRUCKS
An Australian-developed LPG Autogas system is helping operators of heavy diesel-powered trucks reduce fuel bills by 20 per cent, its inventors claim. Green Fuel Systems International (GFSI) has developed a dual-phase induction system which introduces LPG Autogas into the air intake of diesel engines, to improve the diesel combustion process.GFSI senior engineer Mark Kilburn said the process results in a number of efficiencies, including fuel-cost savings, increased torque and horsepower, lower emissions and reduced engine wear. Mr Kilburn said that even minimal reductions in fuel costs were extremely important for operators due to the consistently high number of kilometres their trucks travel. Mr Kilburn claimed. "We conservatively estimate net fuel cost savings of 10 per cent across all truck applications. However, we have some trucks running at a 23 to 24 percent net dollar value saving, and a client running trucks at a 27 to 28 percent net saving over diesel."

One of GFSI's earliest clients, A & T Clark and Daughters Pty Ltd, has been taking advantage of the system's fuel cost savings since 2006. Managing director Allan Clark said that after trialing the system for six months he fitted second and third trucks with it, and has been impressed with the results. "It has taken our fuel economy from around 1.5 kilometres per litre, to approximately 1.7 to 1.75 kilometres per litre. That's based on carting 64.5 tonnes the majority of the time, with an engine rated at 580 horsepower," Mr Clark said. "Doing an average 28,000 kilometres per month, the monthly cost savings per truck have been between $1500 and $2000, depending on where we've bought the LPG from."

Mr Kilburn said LPG Autogas has a faster burn rate than diesel, so when introduced to the combustion process it helps diesel burn more efficiently than normal. "Diesel engines are typically only 75 to 80 per cent efficient, meaning 20 to 25 per cent of diesel fuel is passed through the exhaust system unburnt. "LPG assists the diesel fuel combustion process, increasing diesel combustion efficiency to nearly 100 percent," Mr Kilburn said. "This results in 20 to 25 percent higher energy extraction and translates to a roughly similar increase in horsepower and torque."

Mr Clark said that since installing the GFSI system in his trucks he had been able to focus more on strategically managing his business. "It has freed me up to concentrate on developing other areas of the business, rather than doing a hell of a lot of driving. I'd be out there in one of the trucks, otherwise, but the runs are on the board and the money is in the bank."

LPG Australia industry development manager, Phil Westlake, said diesel fuel emissions include fine particulate matter, toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases. "Unburnt diesel fuel, which is easily visible as black exhaust smoke, contains even more of these unhealthy and environmentally damaging pollutants," Mr Westlake said; "Given the enormous distances diesel-fuelled heavy vehicles travel in Australia every year, an LPG Autogas system that reduces the emissions of these vehicles is of huge benefit to the environment and public health."

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Allan Clark continued; "There’s the added benefits to the environment. The gas effectively burns the unburnt diesel which is ordinarily emitted in the exhaust,” Allan explained.
“The system pays for itself in a matter of months and provides added economy and performance for years – not to mention being a more environmentally friendly form of transport.”

Allan purchases his vehicles from PACCAR Trucks Melbourne.
Kenworth trucks are designed and manufactured in Australia to meet the world’s toughest applications. Kenworth, a division of PACCAR Australia, is market leader in heavy duty trucks here. Its trucks are also exported to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a worldwide manufacturer of heavy and medium duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF nameplates. It also provides financial services and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.


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