Omnitek sets Heavy Duty CNG Truck World Record

Omnitek Sets High Altitude Record with CNG Powered Truck at 4814 Meters
On September 16, 2009, Omnitek Engineering of San Marcos CA made history by driving a natural gas powered heavy-duty commercial truck to a record altitude of 4,814 meters (15,800 feet) over the Ticlio Pass high in the Peruvian Andes, the highest paved road in the world.
The truck manufactured by the American company International Truck and Engine Company and equipped with the 275 horsepower DT530 engine, had been converted from diesel to natural gas using Omnitek technology. Earlier in the month another test drive performed with the same natural gas converted vehicle, owned by Leche Gloria, confirmed the engines power and ability to transport heavy loads. The test was performed driving the vehicle on a steep road, locally known as Pasamayo, loaded to a weight of 37,000 kg (37 tons).
The high-altitude record setting drive concluded a series of tests tailored to set the record straight on some common misconceptions about natural gas engines. The tests show that diesel engines converted to operate on natural gas have enough power to transport heavy loads and can operate at very high altitudes, all while having low fuel consumption and produce much less pollution than a diesel truck. On one test drive, the Leche Gloria truck completed the 326 km distance from Lima to Canete and back to Lima while loaded with milk to 37,000 kg, in a remarkably short time of 5 hrs, consuming only 118 cubic meters of natural gas at a cost of 164 Soles ($ 55), a savings of 60% over diesel fuel. The tests were co-sponsored By Peruana de Gas Natural SAC (PGN), a Peruvian natural gas supplier and Omnitek Partner. PGN is also an authorized Omnitek diesel-to-natural gas conversion center.
Contact

Omnitek Engineering, Corp
1945 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd
San Marcos, CA 92078
Tel. 760-591-0089

Omnitek Peru S.A.
Los Pinos 584, Urb. Villa Marina
Chorrillos, Lima - Peru
Tel. +51 (1) 993468117

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Permalink Reply by DubleDeuce on September 23, 2009 at 10:57pm: a NICE heartwarming story about the 'Little Truck that Could". But the story is irrelevant for many reasons.
<<to set the record straight on some common misconceptions about natural gas engines.>>

First, "natural gas" is not an engine type, it is a type of fuel.

Second, There is NO lack of consensus on the idea that a diesel engine can produce sufficient power to compete with other types of fuel energy. You throw enough cow paddy's into the furnace and eventually you will produce enough heat to do whatever you want to do. Fuel is not the burning issue here (pun intended), the heat content of that fuel is the issue. Diesel fuel has almost 65% MORE heat content than natural gas.

Third, <<...all while having low fuel consumption>> WHAT does that mean? Low WHAT? That the fuel tank is slung LOW on the truck, ergo it has LOW fuel consumption? The comment don't make sense. It is NOT the fuel type that is used that makes for LOW or HIGH fuel consumption, it is the heat content-see above comment. The ENGINE TYPE is the real go getter here. A diesel engine (with its inherently higher COMPRESSION ratio) is ALWAYS more efficient than a lower compression ratio gasoline designed one. WE ALREADY KNEW THAT!!!

NOW! A word from the opposition. I am NOT opposed to natural gas trucks OR their honest promotion. The REAL issue in this story is THIS, is there a CNG filling station ON TOP of the Ticlio Pass ( at 15,800 ft) in close commercial proximity to the HIGHEST PAVED ROAD IN THE WORLD? Now THAT would be a Press Release worth hearing about.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! Gather 'round for a news announcement, Today we (the Peruana de Gas Natural SAC (PGN), a Peruvian natural gas supplier and Omnitek Partner. PGN is also an authorized Omnitek diesel-to-natural gas conversion center.) announce the investment of several million Pesos to establish a commercial CNG filling station high in the Andes Mountain Range far away from ANY civilization and on the road to nowhere. We believe in the future of CNG and have made this investment to demonstrate out commitment to the future of this clean burning fuel. We ain't got no customers yet-save for a demonstration milk wagon that comes up weekly-but we are believers so here is the test of our metal.

Now THAT would be a newsworthy communication, not some "been there, done that" demo of little value.

I salute your meager efforts but the issue is NOT can it be done? The issue is WHO will do it? You ain't done it...yet.

The Deuceman; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John Reed on September 23, 2009 at 11:32pm: Obviously you have no clue what is happening in Peru in terms of CNG infrastructure and the energy policies of that country. But once again you have shown your adept ability to display your ignorance.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by DubleDeuce on September 24, 2009 at 9:31pm: Ignorance is a curable affliction. <<CNG infrastructure and the energy policies of that country>> were NOT mentioned in your article/press release. Only a ME, ME, ME, US, US, US.

NOW. IF you would like to enlighten us as to these "policies and infrastructures" in Peru, GREAT! But a milk run through the mountains sponsored by vested interests is NOT policy OR infrastructure. It is pure Barnum and Bailey...with a hugh emphasis on the Barnum.

Who will become the T. Boone Pickens of Peru? Who believes ENOUGH in natural gas to thumb their noses at national policy and set out on the path of the entrapreneur and blaze a trail of leadership?

Let us know when that lonely CNG or LNG station is operational on the mountaintop. THAT would be something to see.

The Deuceman; ▶ Reply to This