Multi Fuel engine on propane?

[firefox]

I figure the answer is no, but I have to ask. Is it possible to
get a Multi Fuel or diesel engine set up so that it will run on propane or natural gas?
Bruce

 

[natem]

I have the same question. I have searched the net and have not found anything. T Boone Pickens says its the fix for the "oil shortage" He must know something we dont.

Nate

 

[ODw/envy]

Usually Propane is a supplemental fuel in a diesel engine.

 

[NMCShooter]

I've heard of people running a conversion on Cummins diesels that mixes propane WITH diesel fuel....I'm pretty sure they won't work on straight propane. I doubt even the mixed propane/diesel would work in a deuce.....the much higher compression ratio would cause it to detonate too soon, I bet.

 

[swbradley1]

I believe propane is used like NO2 to produce more horsepower in a diesel engine. I have my doubts as to being able to use it alone.

 

[digitaldust]

the swans food trucks are propane powered diesels there are conversion kits on the web . lit like a reg and air mix gate.
In Michigan we have a few LP NG Auto Filling stations like gas stations but for Air gas motors

 

[natem]

I would like to run CNG in my work truck (a Navastar W/466E). I don't think it will work tho, Probably need to use a gasser motor. But it would be nice to fill at the shop and skip the diesel pumps @ $4.29 a gal.

Nate

 

[gimpyrobb]

I've heard of people running a conversion on Cummins diesels that mixes propane WITH diesel fuel....I'm pretty sure they won't work on straight propane. I doubt even the mixed propane/diesel would work in a deuce.....the much higher compression ratio would cause it to detonate too soon, I bet.

I'm not sure about that. I know most gas motors that are built for propane have their compression bumped up to make up for the lack of BTUs in the fuel. Not sure how it would work in one of our motors.

 

[NMCShooter]

I'm not sure about that. I know most gas motors that are built for propane have their compression bumped up to make up for the lack of BTUs in the fuel. Not sure how it would work in one of our motors.

You might be right, but the gasser is probably starting at around 8:1 and the deuce is more like 22:1 I believe.


DISCLAIMER: I'm a shade tree mechanic and anything I say regarding propane conversions is pure speculation

 

[Ripcord01]

I say duck for cover..I have seen the conversion kits installed on regular and maintenace trucks . There are a few companies that offer the conversions for street vehicles, but I would be afraid to use on in a MV. I would hope that you don't smoke.. you can always buy used cooking oil a lot cheaper. Plus when you drive down the road you can smell of french fries. yum yum.

 

[Jake0147]

I think when Cummins did their propane only B series they put spark plugs and a distributor in it. It looks an awful lot like their dual fuel B series, which is gas or LPG and has spark plugs. I don't think propane works well with compression ignition.

 

[m139h2otruck]

Run a search for propane injection for diesels. The pickup hot rod guys run propane injection on diesels for additional power and a little better milage. It acts like a booster, making the diesel fuel burn cleaner/better. It might work on a NA multi and make it smoke less, but the last time I bought propane, it was about the same as gas per gallon. A propane only fueled multi would still need a "mixer" and a source for spark.

 

[bigzirb]

Everyone that I know of is a diesel that has propane as a supplement for more power, no one runs pure propane so I don't know if it can be done. If you find some one knowledgable and reputable to do it let us know how it goes.

 

[Varyag]

I don't think it would lube the IP enough. It uses fuel for lube.

 

[zout]

My vote is to nuke it:
HowStuffWorks "Can a car run on nuclear power?"

 

[Drkhrs]

That would be awesome, but I'd hate to make high-grade nuke fuel so accessible to those who would use it for evil. On another note, Nuke plants and subs/carriers don't run directly on nuke power, but rather on the steam that they produce. Who wants to go back to steam? LOTS of torque available there, but...

 

[zout]

SO I am evil - what can I say.

Check out the Mark 6 330 ho version:
Cyclone Power Technologies - How It's Used

 

[dburd72]

I use propane as a power adder on my duramax.

 

[mightymanx]

Propane does not respond to adiabatic compression (it don't go boom when squeezed) This is why diesels use it as a power adder it does not preignite as the piston squeeses it but when the diesel ignites it touches off the propane.

Gas engines ignite the propane by the sparkplug so that is why a gas engine can run on propane with virtualy no modifications to the engine.


Adiabatic process - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Comparison of Auto Ignition Temperature
The auto ignition temperature is the temperature at which a fuel will ignite without the need for a spark or flame. In respect to auto ignition temperature LPG, CNG, and LNG are much safer than gasoline or diesel because the auto ignition temperature is much higher. The following chart compares the auto ignition temperature of various fuels.

Propane Facts & Comparison Charts
​

 

[73m819]

There was a long thread here on site ,2 maybe 3 years ago about just this, we talked about OTR truckers using propane and the kits for it