Ricardo, Inc., a multi-industry consultancy for engineering, technology, project innovation and strategy, together with Clean Air Power (CAP), a global leader in dual-fuel technology, announced that they have entered into an agreement for the development of the dual fuel engine business. This agreement serves to strengthen the offering to clients of both companies, by bringing together Ricardo's system integration expertise with CAP's dual-fuel technology of compression ignited diesel engines that use natural gas with diesel pilot ignition.
"Natural gas in a dual fuel application offers both fuel economy and cost savings to the large and heavy-duty engine industry," Tom Apostolos, president of Ricardo, Inc, said.
CAP's dual-fuel system enables heavy-duty vehicles to operate primarily on natural gas, with diesel fuel acting as a 'liquid spark plug'. The diesel engine is basically unchanged, and retains its high performance and high efficiency 4-stroke diesel cycle. If the natural gas runs out, the system changes seamlessly to operate on 100 percent diesel, providing complete diesel operational backup. As system integrator, Ricardo will use its full vehicle knowledge, engine design and controls experience and system modeling capabilities to ensure that CAP's dual fuel system meets the fit, form and function requirements of the complete vehicle.
