[Off-Topic] Can diesel engines run on natural gas?

Hello diesel enthusiasts,

Sorry for what I consider to be a very stupid question , but can diesel vehicles run on gas?
The reason for my question is that here in Upper Bavaria, buses, which are presumably largely powered by diesel in Germany, are being fueled with gas.
I always thought that only worked with gasoline engines?

Thank you for the clarification, and best regards.

Jürgen.

I hope that asking stupid questions won't get me banned from this forum.

P.S.: Has anyone had any experience with the 2.0 16V TDI engine? I'm planning to buy a Touran with that engine soon.

Hi,

It should work in a similar way to biogas plants with combined heat and power generation.
A large diesel engine is running on diesel fuel at idle. Then, biogas (methane) is mixed into the intake air. The amount of fuel injected during the idle phase ensures that everything is delivered to the combustion chamber at the right time for ignition.
I don't know if those engines require a throttle valve. Basically, it should work in a similar way to propane tuning.

Regards,

Eike.

Okay, if I remember correctly, natural gas engines are more like gasoline engines.

Source: MAN.
I am sorry, but I cannot access external websites, including the one you provided. Therefore, I am unable to translate the text from the given URL.

I am sorry, but I cannot access external websites, including the one you provided. Therefore, I am unable to translate the text from the given URL.

'Since gas engines operate with forced ignition, they automatically benefit from these features and impress with their smooth operation and gentle combustion process.'


'The goal of developing the E 2866 natural gas engine was to incorporate as many components as possible from the diesel version in order to keep costs down.' 'By installing a throttle valve, a fuel mixer, and an ignition system, the engine was converted to operate using the Otto cycle.'

Large gasoline engines can sometimes sound quite similar to diesel engines. You are what you are.
not accustomed to this in Europe, as almost everything in the commercial vehicle sector uses diesel engines.
is running. 'But anyone who has ever seen old Otto tank engines or Otto industrial engines...'
(Americans had them for a long time), those who have heard them know what I mean, they sound so powerful.
rumbling like an oversized American muscle car.

post the result.
These buses (manufactured by company...) sound like this. Kässbohrer (I hope that's how it's spelled), like Diesels, have an additional tank on the roof.

Sincerely,

Jürgen Kopp.

Hello,

There are diesel engines that run on natural gas. There are a few of them driving around here in Regensburg. I don't know how they start, but once they're running, you can inject natural gas into them just like normal. By the way, natural gas is also a liquid at pressures of several hundred bar.

The problem with a conversion is the fuel injection system, as the VP37 likely can't handle a fuel pressure of 300 bar. Furthermore, natural gas likely doesn't possess the lubricating properties that conventional systems require.

Translation needed: A completely new injection system is required.

Hi,

These engines are called spark-assisted diesel engines. They operate on a principle similar to diesel engines, but primarily burn natural gas, with diesel acting as the ignition source. This means that only about 15% of the fuel is diesel, which ignites the remaining gas-air mixture. As far as I know, the gas is supplied through the intake manifold. In theory, a standard fuel injection pump, with the amount adjusted accordingly, should also be able to do this. Spark-ignited engines are mainly used in combined heat and power (CHP) systems.

greetings
Jean.

Edit: I found another interesting link. A different diesel/gas ratio is mentioned, perhaps for better performance, or perhaps to use a smaller natural gas tank.
http://www.rinspeed.com/pages/cars/presto/prd-presto.htm

Hi,
That's roughly in line with what I've heard about the use of biogas.

So, in essence, with the propane tuning, the TDI engine is converted into a spark-ignition engine.

The new abbreviation on the rear, 'ZSTDI', is sure to attract attention.

Let's see how long it takes for the first officially converted passenger cars to appear, those that run on diesel and natural gas. As far as I know, the local energy provider, EWE, currently offers a subsidy of 2500€ for such vehicles, with the condition that customers then purchase natural gas from them at a price of approximately 56 cents per kilogram. It might pay off eventually...

Regards,

Eike.