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Driven by the dramatic developments in the global economy which have forced many transport businesses to take a long hard look at the way they manage and operate their fleet vehicles, Hardstaff made it a priority to provide our customers with a product and after-care service that enables operators to switch to cleaner and renewable fuels with minimal entry impact. We have now become internationally recognised for our engineering excellence in the area of gas vehicle technology, which allows standard production vehicles to run reliably and efficiently on natural gas.
Designed for use with both compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) our own patented OIGI® dual fuel technology meets the highest emission standards, whilst maintaining maximum fuel economy and cost savings.
OIGI® technologies can be adapted to passenger cars, light and heavy good vehicles, buses and coaches, refuse vehicles and locomotives.
Current demand for alternative fuelled vehicles has risen due to increased diesel prices and the implementation of long-term government policies to reduce global warming and our reliance on fossil fuels. This demand has been hindered by slow development of a natural gas fuelling infrastructure and suitable after sales care. Recognising the effect this may have on our customer's decision to move to greener vehicles, Hardstaff provide an all-encompassing service to meet all their needs, including:
Hardstaff's ongoing dedicated research and development has led to an increasing number of innovations that have created new standards in alternative fuelled vehicles, containment, fuelling infrastructure, and after sales service.
Our OIGI® technologies are also compatible for use with Biomethane, which, when used as a vehicle fuel, is carbon neutral and reduces global warming by burning methane that would otherwise be a greenhouse gas. The use of Bio-methane reduces engine noise, SOx (Oxides of Sulphur), particulate emissions and NOx emissions. Advantages include:
• Corporate social responsibility (endorses environmental policies)
- Reduced fuel costs
- Enhanced corporate image
- Reduction in tailpipe pollutants
- Lower noise missions
- Increased efficiencies
- EU compliance
• Exemption from Congestion Charges
OIGI® Gas Technologies
The Hardstaff OIGI® (Oil Ignition Gas Injection) is a dual fuel system developed to substitute natural gas for diesel in light and heavy duty engines.
The natural gas injection system is electronically controlled and can cater for multi-point, mono point and sequential port injection, providing a greater range of applications for the majority of brands of truck and bus available.
A separate electronic control unit (ECU) is used for the natural gas fuel, providing a full closed loop feedback system that monitors existing variables alongside the diesel electronic control unit (ECU) and controls the gas injection based on the feedback from the various engine sensors. The sensors include boost pressure, lambda sensor signal, pedal deflection, coolant temperature, gas temperature and pressure, and many more inputs. The ECU is fully programmable and can provide custom mapping for various vehicle applications, giving enhanced compatibility features.
The OIGI® fuel management is a sophisticated system, integrated to give precise control of the gas and diesel injected via accurate timing and metering; offering the benefit of custom mapping adjustment to provide reduced emissions and an improved fuel economy. The system is also OBD (On Board Diagnostics) compliant.
Diesel is required as the ignition source in dual fuel engines. With the OIGI® system the engine will use 100% diesel at idle; gas injection and diesel reduction commences when engine speed increases from idle. Precise control of diesel reduction and gas injection quantities ensures efficient fuel use and performance equivalent to the original diesel engine.
For the first time, the OIGI® system provides a solution for dual fuel in urban operation conditions, as natural gas is introduced from approximately 800 rpm; giving reduced emissions levels with the benefits of diesel engine performance and economy.
The OIGI® system natural gas injectors can be used in various applications using several injection methods, incorporating Hardstaff's custom injector blocks. They operate on a linear basis giving optimum efficiency and, due to their low pressure operation, can ensure highly accurate gas quantities are injected, enabling the system to meet tight emission controls.
The injectors are certified to the European Standard ECE R110 and unlike other injectors currently available, the OIGI® injectors are extremely durable and robust. They are low maintenance with a proven performance and reliability record, requiring minimal servicing.
In order to control emissions within a dual fuel system a methane catalyst is required, Hardstaff design and build unique emission systems for the dual fuel product including solutions for Euro 4 and 5
Hardstaff's patented catalytic temperature control system ensures that only sufficiently hot exhaust gases pass through the methane catalyst, thus retaining temperature for optimum performance.
The emissions control device incorporates a common failsafe shaft designed to ensure exhaust gases will always be able to pass through the exhaust system, making it highly advantageous over other systems currently available.
Due to the design and sophistication of the OIGI® electronics the control of fuel delivery is ultimately flexible to meet different regulations and can adequately meet equivalent tailpipe emissions to Euro 3 and Euro 4 standards.
As a result of the reduced diesel injection quantity, and the composition of methane (CH4, a low carbon fuel), cleaner emissions are assured.
Hardstaff dual fuel vehicles powered by Natural Gas/Bio-methane are energy efficient and produce significantly less greenhouse gases (CO2) than current petrol and diesel engines (see emission reduction list below).
Environmental Benefits
When fitted with Hardstaff exhaust technology the following emission benefits are achieved (based on natural gas heavy duty truck testing):
- 98% reduction in CO
- 3dB reductions in noise levels
- 30% reduction in NOx
- C02 carbon saving in the region of 18 - 20% per vehicle, per annum
- Particulates meet Euro 4 and 5
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