After announcing that the Philippine Government would offer soft loans for Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) owners to convert their diesel engines to run on a 70-30 mixed blend of diesel and auto-LPG, the Department of Energy recalls the statement saying they’ve discovered that the mixed fuel type is not safe and probably wouldn’t work.
Tests conducted by the Department of Science and Technology showed that the system might not work, they are instead looking at ways to convert the diesel engine to a spark ignition type. Diesel engines work on the principle of compression-ignition where pressure and heat are required to ignite the fuel which is sprayed in liquid form into the piston cylinder. Gasoline engines work on principle of spark ignition where fuel is first vaporised with air then ignited with a spark in the piston cylinder.
I say, heck, just convert the engine to gasoline. Much easier and probably more reliable. I’ll take a “do it right the first time” approach any day over a “patch-job.”
Compared to Gasoline, there is a 15-25% increase in fuel consumption but because of the price difference this is hardly felt. It is also suggested to use the Auto-LPG newer systems which have electronic fuel injection so as to prevent the noticeable power loss during high revs. Engines which cannot accept unleaded gasoline are also not recommended for conversion because Auto LPG lacks the lubricants needed to prevent the engine valves from wearing off.
I’m just wondering myself, if some countries have already been using Diesel-LPG successfully, how come we can’t get it to work? Despite that, I’d still prefer a single fuel system over a dual fuel system, less things to worry about.
Guess that means that that P1 Billion for the PUV drivers is going to park and “cool” it off for a while. I hope for not too long as we could have another looming nationwide strike if the fuel crisis isn’t solved for the folks who move the country’s people.
[source]
Category: Automotive, Autogas
