Enabling technologies for alternative fuels. (Technology).

The federal government's decision to endorse the Kyoto Protocol is about to change the way we use energy in this country. The Protocol commits Canada to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to help control climate change, and given that transportation is Canada's largest source of GHGs, measures to increase vehicle efficiency and convert to greener fuels will be a top priority in meeting our Kyoto targets.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) and natural gas vehicles (NGVs), which can reduce GHG emissions by up to 85 per cent and 25 per cent respectively, are emerging as potential solutions. Achieving higher fuel efficiencies through these technologies will reduce urban smog and will make Canadian energy supplies more sustainable.

Converting the nation's fleet of vehicles to hydrogen or natural gas will not be a simple task. We already have a massive infrastructure in place to deliver conventional fuels such as gasoline or diesel. Establishing a system to distribute hydrogen gas to millions of drivers spread across a large country within a short time frame will be no easy matter. A wide array of on-board "enabling technologies" will be required for these alternative vehicles, such as new fuel tanks and fuel delivery components.

Saskatchewan researchers are collaborating with a number of Canadian companies to develop several of these enabling technologies, including a special tank for gaseous fuels. On-board hydrogen or natural gas storage presents a significant problem for vehicle makers.

Gaseous fuel storage systems require optimization of weight, volume, pressure and costs to aid in the implementation of alternative fuels and a very high-quality tank is required to store sufficient quantities of fuels safely. Carbon-fibre composite tanks offer the best solution.

Saskatchewan researchers have developed a diagnostic system to ensure the safety of high-pressure gaseous fuel storage tanks. It involves a damage detection system that can identify tank faults in real time, and an expert system that can evaluate the damage, instantly inform the vehicle's operator, and shutdown or vent the system if necessary. This new technology, which has already been demonstrated to automobile manufacturers, is positioning Canada as a leader in this field that will permit the Saskatchewan-based R and D team to commercialize its technologies globally through Canadian manufacturers.

In addition to ensuring tank integrity, the Saskatchewan research team is developing enabling technologies to use pressurized gas in vehicles. NGVs and FCVs involve a wide range of fuel pressures that are difficult to regulate, especially at a range of speeds. An electronic gas pressure regulator has been developed to handle supply pressures over a wide range of conditions while maintaining the accuracy and response of the system without leakage.

Most vehicles today have sophisticated on-board powertrain control modules (PCMs) to diagnose and regulate complex functions such as fuel injection. The use of gaseous fuels at high pressures requires significant adaptations. Consequently, a neural control system (NCS) has been developed to interface with the control module. This neural system uses a microprocessor that takes in multiple inputs, processes them, interprets them, and makes intelligent decisions to enable control of complex powertrain systems. The neural control system that has been developed can interpret diagnostic inputs from many vehicles' PCMs allowing it to optimize the efficient use gaseous fuels on a wide range of vehicles.

Currently, eight patents are under development as a result of this research, and discussions have taken place with industrial partners to license the technology. With predictions that by 2005 North America will need about 275,000 NGVs per year to meet demand, the technology being developed is of vital interest to both car makers, and the aftermarket conversion industry. An even larger market for this technology may come about as a result of the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cells as a replacement for the conventional gasoline and diesel engine.

Bryan Lung is a Research Engineer with the Alternative Energy Group at the Saskatchewan Research Council.