FAQs
Yes. Since APG’s Dual Fuel System is a simple energy substitution system (a btu of natural gas is substituted for a btu of diesel fuel), and because the carbon intensity of the natural gas is lower than that of diesel, the carbon available as a byproduct of combustion is lower. When dairy Renewable Natural Gas is used with APG’s Dual Fuel System, it creates a pathway for fuel usage that runs negative according to our 2021 carbon intensity analysis through EcoEngineers, an independent third-party auditing firm. Report available upon request through our Contact Us form.
If the truck is licensed and plated outside of California and the base diesel engine is permitted to operate in California in its current diesel configuration, APG’s Dual Fuel System can be installed on the truck and operate in California. APG’s Dual Fuel Technology will NOT make a non-compliant vehicle compliant to CARB’s diesel-only standards.
Yes. APG’s Dual Fuel Technology can be transferred to another engine within APG’s current listing of engine families that are compliant with EPA Memo 1A or EPA CAFC regulations. Once the hardware of the Dual Fuel System is reinstalled, APG’s ECU will need to be re-flashed by an APG Certified Installer in order to have the appropriate software installed. The original unit is then able to operate on 100% diesel just as it was before the Dual Fuel upgrade occurred.
Yes and yes. Our system is agnostic to the source and storage type of Natural Gas.
No. APG’s Dual Fuel System does not operate on LPG because the BTU content is too high to efficiently run in a dual fuel application.
Yes. APG must test the Dual Fuel System on all engines models according to the same set of EPA emissions standards. The APG Dual Fuel System and can, in most cases, significantly improve the criteria pollutants. As part of the EPA approval process, a version is submitted that complies with the Freedom of Information Act, making it a publicly available document through EPA.
Where dedicated natural gas engines require special high-temp oil formulation and maintenance cycles, APG’s Dual Fuel System allows the engine to operate with standard diesel engine oil formulations and maintenance cycles.
APG does not interfere with the engine integrity or normal governor operation. The conversion technology has been designed to allow for in-field retrofit of diesel engines without the need to change or modify the design of the base OEM engine. The conversion hardware is mounted externally and does not require modification of the base engine.
APG is working with several entities to potentially provide financing for both the Dual Fuel System and the tank package(s).
Under the EPA Clean Alternative Fuel Vehicle Engine Conversion Final Rule (April 2011), APG’s Dual Fuel System has received EPA approval on over 500 on-road engine families for 6 of the most popular OEM engine models and approvals on over 40 on-road engine families 2010 and newer. APG has also received CARB Executive Orders for select Cummins, Detroit Diesel and Volvo/Mack engine platforms. Additionally, APG has completed testing and is compliant under EPA Memo 1A emission guidelines for off-road applications for over 12 CAT, Cummins, Detroit Diesel and MTU engine models. Finally, APG is in the process of completing vehicular emission testing to receive additional EPA IUL approvals for near-new engine model years and additional CARB EO certifications to open more dual fuel markets in California. APG’s investment in emissions compliance assures the customer will not be subject to any EPA Clean Air Act or CARB anti-tampering violations.
During initial startup, the engine operates on 100% diesel fuel. After certain permissive criteria are satisfied, the APG automatic control system commences dual fuel operation. When idling, the engine operates on 100% diesel.
Annual fuel savings resulting from operating in an APG Dual Fuel mode range from 10% to 40% and will vary according to the respective costs of diesel and natural gas fuel pricing. Other economic benefits include competitive advantages such as utilization of sequestered natural gas, low cost of ownership, and freedom to hedge against future unknown risks of the price of diesel versus natural gas.
You’ll need the APG Dual Fuel System and a natural gas tank storage package. While APG does not provide the tanks themselves, the team will run a fleet analysis to provide the best options for your needs based on application, demographics, topography of routes and fueling options. Contact APG here to begin the fleet evaluation process.
Dual fuel, also known as “mixed fuel”, can be defined as the simultaneous combustion of two fuels. In the case of APG’s Dual Fuel Technology, natural gas is seamlessly introduced into the induction system of a diesel engine. After conversion, the engine can operate on either 100% diesel fuel or on a mixture of diesel fuel and natural gas. At no time is the engine able to operate on natural gas exclusively.
APG does not change the base diesel engine design and warrants the Dual Fuel System components for one year after installation. Industry documentation and regulations cite the following in regard to the effects of an approved aftermarket technology on OEM warranties:
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 says the consumer has the freedom to choose aftermarket parts and upgrades without having the OEM warranty voided.
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a Consumer Alert in January 2011 confirming that it is in fact illegal to void warranties or deny coverage for the use of an aftermarket part.
- Specifically in the EPA Alternate Fuel Conversions final rule published on April 8, 2011
- http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-04-08/pdf/2011-7910.pdf
- “… the clean alternative fuel conversion manufacturer would normally be held
- accountable for fixing problems that occur as the result of conversion…”
“… the OEM would generally retain responsibility for the performance of any parts or systems that retain their original function following conversion and are unaffected by the conversion…”
- http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-04-08/pdf/2011-7910.pdf
Operation in Dual Fuel mode has no negative effects on engine wear rates and durability. Engine thermal loads are equivalent to 100% diesel operation, no excess wear of combustion chamber components (pistons, rings, valves, injectors, etc.) occurs.
General maintenance and service cycles remain the same as the base diesel engine.
Since the APG Dual Fuel System displaces energy for energy (btu for btu), the engine maintains existing MPG performance of the OEM base diesel engine.
If the natural gas supply is lost or depleted, the APG system automatically changes over from dual fuel to diesel only operation. There is no range anxiety or lost time with an APG Dual Fuel System. When natural gas pressure is restored, the process seamlessly returns to dual fuel operation. Engines with APG’s Dual Fuel System will not run exclusively on natural gas.
The weight of APG’s Dual Fuel System is nominal, however the tank package will add weight to the truck depending on fuel tank capacity and storage solution. Contact APG to discuss size and range options. Regarding the total weight of the entire truck/trailer unit, the total on-road weight may exceed the GVWR guidelines. Fleets should consult with their local and federal legislatures to determine if any exceptions would apply to units running dual fuel.
The natural gas industry is ever evolving, so this list is subject to change with any additional Natural Gas
sources. As of publication, APG’s Dual Fuel System can operate on the following sources of natural gas
as long as BTU ratings are safe for engine use – Animal RNG, Landfill RNG, Processed Flared Methane,
Processed Field Gas. Contact us for more information on application-based gas analysis requirements.
Dedicated natural gas engines have very high operating temperatures (approximately 650℃), which require high-temp parts and are well above the operating temperatures of a diesel engine. To preserve the freedom of choice of operating in either a dual fuel mode or a diesel only mode, the maximum amount of natural gas needs to be carefully monitored and controlled to operate within OEM temperature and pressure specifications.
The dual fuel technology has been designed to maintain OEM specifications of all engine temperatures including engine coolant temperature, oil temperature, exhaust gas temperature and intake air temperature. The Dual Fuel System replaces diesel fuel normally consumed by the engine with an equivalent quantity of natural gas, relative to the heat value of each fuel. As such, engine air-fuel ratios during dual fuel operation remain largely equivalent to 100% diesel operation, resulting in normal peak exhaust gas temperatures and associated peak engine thermal loads.
No. Engines converted to APG’s Dual Fuel System maintain the rated power and torque of the OEM base diesel engine platform.