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C&D Technologies Partners with Firefly Energy as Manufacturer of Microcell Foam Batteries for Trucking and Related Deep-discharge Application Markets

27 October 2008 in APU, Battery Powered Climate Control, Newest APU Tech | 1 comment

BLUE BELL, Pa., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — C&D Technologies, Inc., a leading North American producer and marketer of batteries, battery systems and integrated standby power systems, announced today that it has signed a manufacturing contract with Firefly Energy, Inc., the Peoria, Illinois-based battery technology company that has developed a portfolio of innovative lead-acid battery technologies.

The contract calls for the establishment of a manufacturing partnership between the two companies to produce Firefly-designed battery products for the trucking and off highway equipment markets. Firefly’s microcell technology provides the trucking industry and fleets with a highly effective fuel-saving alternative for powering their trucks’ hotel loads and HVAC systems. Capable of almost double the run time and life of traditional lead-acid batteries, the technology enables significant economic payback as well as compliance with recent anti-idling legislation.

The first focus for this partnership will be for the Firefly “Oasis” battery. Firefly will provide microcell foam technology components, and C&D will manufacture the battery in their Milwaukee Wisconsin facility.

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Steam engine proposed as an anti idling unit.

6 October 2008 in APU, Newest APU Tech | No comments

I wonder if this holds any promise. You can find their site here.

Cyclone Power Technologies Unveils Eco-Friendly Auxiliary Power Unit at Commercial Vehicle Show

POMPANO BEACH, FL, Oct. 6, 2008 — Cyclone Power Technologies Inc. (Pink Sheets: CYPW) will introduce its production version Waste Heat Engine at the SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress and Exhibition, commencing Tuesday, Oct. 7, outside of Chicago, IL Cyclone’s Waste Heat Engine (WHE, pronounced “we”) is a steam-driven engine capable of producing up to 10kW of electricity from the exhaust of commercial trucks and recreational vehicles. This auxiliary power can charge batteries, run small-scale refrigerating units and support in-cab comfort appliances while the prime mover engine is running. When the primary engine is off, the WHE can run on a multitude of fuels, including diesel from the main fuel tank, or CNG, propane or even clean coal powder from a secondary tank.

“We believe that our solution is more economical and environmentally friendly than other auxiliary power units on the market,” stated Harry Schoell, CEO of Cyclone and inventor of the WHE.

A substantial portion of the energy produced by an internal combustion engine is lost through exhaust heat. The WHE was developed to harness that wasted resource and transform it to usable energy. This reduces fuel consumption and, consequently, greenhouse gas emissions. When running on fossil or bio fuels, the WHE operates at low pressures and temperatures, which virtually eliminates the production of nitrogen oxide and harmful particulate matters.

Engine idling is a major problem in the commercial trucking industry. A typical long-haul truck idles for an estimated 1,800 to 2,400 hours per year when parked overnight at truck stops and other rest areas. In fact, U.S. Department of Transportation regulations require 10 hours of rest for every 11 hours of driving. Commercial trucks alone consume an estimated 1 billion gallons of diesel fuel annually during overnight idling, costing well over $4 billion and emitting millions of pounds of dangerous greenhouse gases into the air.

Cyclone will showcase the WHE as attached to a commercial truck engine’s exhaust system and three additional fuel tanks: one for diesel/gasoline, one for CNG, and the last for clean coal powder. The company expects this engine to be ready for production by mid 2009.

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I found a cool, older paper about the use of a fuel cell as an auxiliary power unit.

3 August 2008 in Newest APU Tech | No comments

This is an older paper published by UC Davis.  It gets pretty in depth about the benifits and pitfalls of using a fuel cell as an idling alternative on class 8 trucks.

Evaluation of Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Units for Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks

The future of auxiliary power for trucks really is looking good.

If you want to see the basics about how a fuel cell works, click here.

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Fuel cell auxiliary power unit from Delphi/Peterbilt a success.

27 July 2008 in Newest APU Tech | No comments

DENTON, Texas — Delphi Corporation (PINKSHEETS: DPHIQ) and Peterbilt Motors Company successfully demonstrated a Delphi solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) auxiliary power unit (APU) powering a Peterbilt Model 386 truck’s “hotel” loads. During recent testing at Peterbilt’s Texas headquarters, the Delphi SOFC provided power for the Model 386’s electrical system and air conditioning and maintained the truck’s batteries — all while the Model 386’s diesel engine was turned off.

Delphi Fuel Cell

Delphi Fuel Cell

Delphi’s SOFC converts chemical energy in conventional fuels directly into useful electrical power without combustion. A SOFC operates quietly and at a higher efficiency level than traditional internal combustion engines. By limiting idling time and running a SOFC instead of the main engine, emissions are reduced, noise is nearly eliminated, and operators realize significant fuel savings.

The new Delphi technology will have the capability of using a variety of fuels, including natural gas, diesel, bio-diesel, propane, gasoline, coal-derived fuel and military logistics fuel. In addition to its fuel flexibility, the SOFC will be compact in size.

The Peterbilt/Delphi test replicated a typical trucker’s day to evaluate the real-world usefulness and capacity of the SOFC:

The internals of the Delphi Fuel Cell

The internals of the Delphi Fuel Cell

  • To begin, the SOFC APU was brought to operating temperature with the truck’s main engine running. This simulated starting the SOFC APU during normal, on-road driving conditions.
  • Once the SOFC APU was at temperature and available to provide power, the Model 386’s main engine was turned off, simulating the beginning of a rest period.
  • During the rest period, the SOFC APU powered the 386’s electrical loads, including the electric air-conditioner, radio, citizens band radio, and lights. It also charged the truck’s battery.
  • After 10 hours (representing running overnight) the Model 386’s main engine was restarted to simulate the driver beginning his drive for the next day.

Throughout the test, the SOFC APU provided an average of 800 watts of electricity to the Peterbilt Model 386.

“The Delphi SOFC passed this test, standing up to the demands of a typical truck-driver’s day,” said Mary Gustanski, Delphi Powertrain Systems director of Engineering. “We are encouraged by the performance of the demonstration, especially given the 95-degree-F Texas heat. Additionally, we thank everyone at Peterbilt for participating in this evaluation and for echoing our enthusiasm for the further development of eco-friendly solutions.”

“The SOFC system provides a technologically-advanced solution to meet anti-idle requirements while surpassing expectations for reduced emissions, noise and fuel consumption,” said Landon Sproull, Peterbilt Chief Engineer. “This system has the potential to revolutionize future APUs by setting new benchmarks for performance and ease of operation with no adverse effects on the environment.”

The Peterbilt Model 386 was chosen as the test bed for the SOFC due to its aerodynamic and fuel-efficient performance. It merges conventional Peterbilt styling with leading aerodynamic design and has been recognized as fuel efficient and environmentally friendly by the EPA’s SmartWay program.

Delphi Fuel Cell PDF

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Navistar offers new Fleetrite APU

26 July 2008 in APU, Fleetrite APU, Newest APU Tech | No comments

Truck owners and fleets can reduce fuel usage, lower emissions and comply with new anti-idling laws with the new Fleetrite® Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), a retrofit product introduced from Navistar.

“A Class 8 truck burns a little more than a gallon of diesel fuel per hour idling, and a long-haul sleeper idles around 2,400 hours per year,” said Ron Sandefur, vice president, aftermarket purchasing and products, Navistar Parts Group. “Figure in the high price of diesel fuel and the result is a lot of wasted money.

“With a Fleetrite APU, truck owners can reduce fuel usage to only 0.3 gallons of fuel per hour while idling, or up to 80 percent less than normal idle, saving fleets and owner-operators up to $8,500 a year and 1,920 gallons of fuel annually per truck,” Sandefur said.

The Fleetrite APU is an auxiliary power unit designed as an aftermarket retrofit for all makes and models of Class 8 trucks. Powered by a 14-horsepower, 2-cylinder Caterpillar diesel engine, the unit takes the place of the engine under the hood to efficiently provide driver necessities including heat, air conditioning and power for electronics while the truck is idle.

“Even with the high price of diesel fuel, drivers don’t have to sacrifice being comfortable while resting for the night or waiting for their trailers to get loaded or unloaded,” said Jan Penrow, product manager, aftermarket products, Navistar Parts Group. “The Fleetrite APU delivers air conditioning, heat and power quickly and most importantly, without using a lot of fuel.”

A simple and non-intrusive design, the Fleetrite APU only uses the truck’s battery power and fuel tank to start and power its electronic system and run the engine.

The HVAC system of the Fleetrite APU delivers the most cooling and heating capacity on the market, ensuring drivers will be comfortable in any temperature conditions. A 60-Amp DC alternator charges the truck’s battery while a 6-kW generator powers appliances and the engine-block heater. Mounted in the cabin of the truck, the control panel features a large LCD screen and easy-to-use single-touch menu functions.

Two CARB-compliant Fleetrite APU models are available depending on the truck’s manufacture date. For 2007 or newer trucks, an APU model is available that requires a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for CARB compliance.

International dealers also offer other anti-idling solutions as aftermarket retrofits including NITE battery powered systems, Espar cab heaters, Webasto cab heaters and Webasto C5 truck heating and cooling units, and Autotherm® energy-recovery units for day-cab trucks.

Navistar also will offer a factory-installed APU called MaxxPower as an option on new International Class 8 trucks beginning later this year.

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