Research for the Future
Valtra Biogas (Dual Fuel) Tractor
October 26th, 2010
Hannu Niskanen, Valtra Inc.
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Valtra Biogas (Dual Fuel) Tractor
Research Project
• Valtra N101, 90 PTO hp
• Front loader application
• Biogas cylinders 170 l
(equals about 30 l diesel
fuel) on the right hand side
• All installations according
to European R110/R115 gas
vehicle standards
• No changes to the
mechanical structure of
AGCO Sisu Power diesel
engine except added gas
equipment
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Dual Fuel Principle
• Biogas (or methane CH4) doesn’t ignite in high
compression like diesel fuel
• Therefore a small amount of diesel fuel (or biodiesel) must
be injected to the cylinders to ignite the air/gas mixture
• Majority of power by gas (biogas or natural gas), ratio
about 20 % diesel or biodiesel, 80 % gas
• High efficiency compared with Otto process (spark plug
ignition), possibity to use diesel fuel only when gas cylinders
are empty
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General arrangement
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Refilling biogas
• NGV-1 connector like for cars
• Very convenient location
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Composite Cylinders
• Full composite cylinders
• Weight 20 kg, volume 42
l
• Four pieces, 168 l equals
29 l diesel fuel
• Max pressure 200 bar,
equals 7 kg gas per
cylinder
• R110 approved
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Location of cylinders
• Low centre of gravity
• Do not decrease visbility from the cab
• Mechanical protection according to ECE R110 vehicle regulations
• Space for the front loader
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Preliminary results
Valtra N101
Diesel
Dual Fuel
Max PTO power
66/2000
66/200
90/2000
90/2000
Max torque
Nm/rpm
460/1500
480/1400
Ratio
100%/0%
17%/83%
kW/rpm
Max PTO power
hp/rpm
Diesel/Biogas
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Testing goes on…
• Concept tractor
equipped with Ecocat
catalytic converter
• Practical testing goes
on in Skåne
• Parallely similar Dual
Fuel concept is applied
to a generator set with
sister company AGCO
SISU POWER
Genpowex
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Dual fuel generator set 120 kVA
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Partners in developing of the first
research model
• RAP Clean Air Products, Holland (approved gas components and
installation of the high pressure circuit)
• Afcon Oy, general lay-out of the tractor including design of cylinder
mountings plus low pressure installations
• ALT-Control Oy (Turbotec), ECU for the gas injectors
• AGCO Sisu Power, ECU for diesel injection, gen set
• Metener Oy, supply of biogas, practical testing in farm use
• Ecocat Oy, emission measurements in Vihtavuori, supply of catalyst
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Open questions
• There is no EU legislation for Dual Fuel vehicles/offroad engines. Emission requirements?
• Availability and distribution of biogas
• Market for biogas tractors, size, growth and location?
Valtra is expecting results from a Swedish study
Biogasdrivna traktorer i lantbruket – en förstudie
by Biogas Syd
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