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What is Hydrogen-Enriched Compressed Natural Gas (HCNG)?
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A Sunline Transit Agency "SunBus"
refueling with HCNG.
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HCNG is a blend of natural gas and hydrogen. Tests show that a blend of approximately 20% hydrogen and 80% CNG by volume can reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by 30 to 50% without affecting the performance and efficiency of a natural gas engine. In 2003, Cummins Westport worked with Westport Innovations and SunLine Transit Agency of California to test and develop this new and exciting demonstration technology
(view
PDF  ). A Cummins Westport B Gas Plus was re-calibrated for 20%
H2, 80% CNG without fuel economy or performance trade-off.
There are many benefits to studying and developing the HCNG technology:
- existing CNG fueling facilities can be used to develop the hydrogen infrastructure and related codes and standards for light-duty vehicles.
- natural gas and HCNG come from predominantly domestic supplies thereby lessening dependence on imported oil in the high fuel use (heavy duty) applications.
- natural gas and hydrogen blended fuels provides excellent emissions benefits today and pave the road for the use of hydrogen vehicles in the future.
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