Transcript West Chester University’s “Threecycle Program”

West Chester University’s
Alternative Fuel Vehicle
Program
Compressed Natural Gas
BioDiesel B20
University Garage
West Chester University
West Chester, PA.
Alternative Fuels
Overview
§ On April 24, 1998 WCU celebrated the grand opening of
its compressed natural gas refueling center, becoming the
first Pennsylvania college or university east of Pittsburgh
to start a CNG vehicle program, and bringing WCU in
compliance with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992.
§ WCU replaced traditional Diesel fuel with BioDiesel B20 in
April, 2008.
§ West Chester University has 22 CNG capable vehicles with
more on the way!
§ WCU has 6 trucks and 12 pieces of grounds equipment
operating on BioDiesel B20.
Alternative Fuels Facts
Commonly Used Alternative Fuels for
Transportation include:
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Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
Ethanol (E85)
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Propane - Liquefied Propane Gas (LPG)
BioDiesel
Electric (EV) and Hybrid Electric (HEV)
Why use Alternative Fuels?
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For cleaner air
For less dependence on foreign oil
For lower cost fuel
What is Compressed Natural
Gas (CNG)?
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CNG is 92% Methane, but also contains Ethane,
Propane, Butanes, Pentanes, Hexanes, CO2 and
Nitrogen.
Where Does WCU Get its CNG?
It’s the same gas piped right from the street mains
used to supply our homes for heat, hot water heaters,
and stoves.
WCU has a “Fast Fill” pumping facility that
compresses the natural gas from a street pressure of
about 20 psi to approximately 4000 psi. Refuels
vehicles in a matter of minutes.
WCU has a “Slow Fill” unit that can refuel vehicles
overnight.
What Else Should I Know?
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Every kind of vehicle is available with some type
Alternative Fuel Engine
Some alternative fuels are available only in
some regions
There are special grants and tax incentives
available to promote the use of Alternative Fuel
Vehicles
How much does CNG cost?
§ CNG costs about 30% less per
Gasoline Gallon Equivalent
(GGE) than gasoline.
§ Costs associated with
dispensing equipment and
additional vehicle costs
associated with CNG are
funded in part by grants
available from governmental
agencies.
WCU Fuel Consumption
WCU’s use of Gasoline and Diesel fuels has
been offset by the increased use of cleaner
burning CNG and BioDiesel B20 !
§
2001
2008
Difference
§ Gasoline
37289
29381
-7908
§ Diesel/B20
5462
5032
-430
§ CNG
1737
10321
+8584
§ Total Pumped
44489
44734
+245
WCU used more than 10,000 Gasoline Gallon Equivalency of CNG in FY
2008.
From 2001 to 2006, WCU increased the number of vehicles using diesel type
fuel, and decreased the amount of diesel type fuel being used.
How Clean is CNG?
CNG vehicles demonstrate an 80% reduction in ozone forming
emissions. CNG vehicles emit*:
90 – 97% less Carbon Monoxide (CO)
50 – 75% less Hydrocarbons (HC)
35 – 60% fewer Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)
90 – 97% less Particulate Matter
97 – 99% less Benzene
25 % less Carbon Dioxide
100% reduction of Lead and Sulfur emissions
*Compared with Reformulated Gasoline.
*Percentages vary with type of vehicle.
What is BioDiesel?
BioDiesel (Methyl Esters) can be made from many
different feed stocks:
Soybean and Rapeseed are most common
Restaurant waste oils (waste trap oil)
Animal fats can also be used
Manufactured as “B100”, but generally marketed as
“B20”, which is 80% traditional diesel mixed with
20% BioDiesel
ASTM D6751 standard approved to insure quality
BioDiesel Benefits are:
Higher Cetane Rating
Higher Lubricity
No Sulfur
Lower Particulate Emissions Less Exhaust Smell
Renewable Resource
No Modifications to Post-1980 era Engines – Just Pour
and Go!
What Else Should I Know?
BioDiesel has a shorter shelf life than traditional diesel
Higher “cloud point” – less forgiving in temps below 32
deg. Fahrenheit
Concerns about farm cropland being used for Fuel
production instead of Food production
Farmland not being “rested” between crops.