State-Of-The-Art Propane Injection Boosts Diesel Power

State-Of-The-Art Propane Injection Boosts Diesel Power ENERGY Alternative Fuels “Our DieselFlex injection system blends measured amounts of CNG or LPG into diesel engines using state-of-the-art fuel management technology ” says Lance Hartman branch manager of Maxquip in Saskatoon Sask “Power can be increased by 20 to 25 percent and fuel intake can be reduced by 10 to 15 percent using this system especially when engines are under heavy load conditions ” The DieselFlex system works by injecting gas vapor into the engine’s fresh air stream behind the air cleaner and in front of the turbo air intake Hartman says the gas vapor combines with diesel to help fuel burn more efficiently which creates more power and uses less fuel “Molecules in propane gas are smaller than those in diesel fuel ” says Hartman “so by blending the two fuels the combined product burns cleaner Another added benefit is lower particulate emmissions so the exhaust is actually cleaner ” Hartman says cleaner burning fuel should also help reduce engine maintenance and possibly lengthen the oil change interval because fewer impurities are collected by the engine oil “Farmers using the DieselFlex system on combines and tractors pulling heavy tillage equipment tell us they don’t see any black smoke from the exhausts ” says Hartman “That means the engine is working efficiently and producing maximum power ” One operator reported saving about 25 percent on his fuel bill during 2 seasons of planting and harvesting The fully-computerized DieselFlex system mounts above the turbo air intake and precisely injects gas vapor proportional to the turbocharge intake pressure up to 70 psi The kit has self-diagnostic safeguards built into its operating system to ensure optimal operation and automatic de-activation when decelerating and engine braking “Gas vapor can only be injected into the air stream at exact ratios because the ignition point is very precise ” says Hartman “The gas vapor is injected into the air stream on the intake stroke but it ignites slightly after the diesel fuel The propane can’t be injected in a pressurized system because then it would turn into a liquid which wouldn’t work ” It takes about 2 days to install a DieselFlex kit on a combine or high-horsepower tractor The electronic control unit mounts on the firewall or body of the engine a wiring harness feeds into the cab to switches and the controller and the injector taps into the air intake A 42 to 60-gal propane tank is needed for the system depending on the size of the engine being configured “A mechanically minded person who can follow a manual should be able to handle the process ” says Hartman “We also install the systems from the factory and help the operator program it exactly to their needs ” Current DieselFlex kits are designed for engines running without DEF fuel but Hartman says the company is researching how the kits operate with the new Tier 4 technology Prices for DieselFlex kits in the ag sector start around $3 000 and are slightly higher for over-the-road trucks Those systems need to put in by certified installers The DieselFlex system complies with rigorous CSA and UL fuel standards for safety and performance Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Maxquip 6235A-86th Ave S E Calgary Alta Canada T2C 2S4 ph 866 629-7847 or 800 667-5886; lhartman@maxquip ca

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