Final report for the Advanced Natural Gas Vehicle Project
The project objective was to develop the technologies necessary to prototype a dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) powered, mid-size automobile with operational capabilities comparable to gasoline automobiles. A system approach was used to design and develop the engine, gas storage system and vehicle packaging. The 2.4-liter DOHC engine was optimized for natural gas operation with high-compression pistons, hardened exhaust valves, a methane-specific catalytic converter and multi-point gaseous injection. The chassis was repackaging to increase space for fuel storage with a custom-designed, cast-aluminum, semi-trailing arm rear suspension system, a revised flat trunk sheet-metal floorpan and by equipping the car with run-flat tires. An Integrated Storage system (ISS) was developed using all-composite, small-diameter cylinders encapsulated within a high-strength fiberglass shell with impact-absorbing foam. The prototypes achieved the target goals of a city/highway driving range of 300 miles, ample trunk capacity, gasoline vehicle performance and ultra low exhaust emissions.
- Research Organization:
- John Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-95CE50421
- OSTI ID:
- 765105
- Report Number(s):
- JHU/APL TL-99-054; TRN: AH200103%%613
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 16 Feb 1999
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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