Will Cummins Ditch Diesel for Hydrogen?

Industry watchers who follow current trends with regard to alternative power sources recognize that a sea change has been taking place with regards to the move away from carbon-based energy. The question right now is not If but When. 

There are still a lot of unanswered questions as regards How, but there's plenty of thought being given to the possibilities of tomorrow, and a lot of money being invested in this rising tide of interest in alternative technologies.

At the beginning of the week Cummins hosted a virtual live-streamed Hydrogen Day event. Having recently purchased Hydrogenics, a fuel cell developer, Cummins wanted to show the world that there is real power in hydrogen fuel cell powertrains. A Fox Business story by Gary Gastelu featured highlights from Monday's event. 

The article, titled Cummins Is Starting to Ditch Diesel for Hydrogen, states that Cummins has a high degree of confidence that if they build it, people will come. 

CEO Tom Linebarger told Fox Business that he's personally been thinking about hydrogen power since 1999 when he first began working on fuel cell technologies. 

One of the big hurdles is creating the infrastructure to become "electric." It will be possible, Cummins executives indicated, for OverThe-Road fleets to be all electric one day, but only if the power grid gets upgraded. To do so we need a 50% increase above today's levels in electricity output. In other words, government will have to invest in producing more power to power an electric-powered future on our highways.

During one of the presentations it was noted that people driving Teslas today are powered by electricity that comes from coal. Most people do not think about that. 

Cummins' goal is carbon neutrality by 2050, which seems a long ways off. Then again, I suspect that for those of us here to see it, it might come faster than we think.

Another hurdle will be the production of lighter weight batteries. If you are hauling heavy loads, you don't want to also be loaded down with a ton of batteries. 

I remember about 5 years ago at SEMA when I saw a new battery concept which was one-fifth the weight and half the size of our current car batteries. People smarter than you or I have been working on these problems for a long time. This is what keeps them awake at night, and it's a good thing.

You can read the full story here:
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/cummins-to-start-ditiching-diesel-for-hydrogen 

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The Future of Diesel

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The Future of Diesel

Interest in the future goes back to the dawn of man, no doubt. 19th century visionary Jules Verne, whose books took readers 20,000 leagues under the sea, to the center of the earth and around the moon, had his sights set on the future. H.G. Wells' Time Machine carried readers far into the future. And a whole host of 20th century sci fi writers have given us visions of a tomorrow filled with robots, androids and pre-cogs. 

These thoughts crossed my mind as I read this article about commercial trucks of the future. The headline asks, Does Diesel Have a "Sell By" Date? 

The article, appeared in the Diesel Technology Forum this week, notes that 90% of the trucks on our nation's highways and byways are currently diesel. Based on current trends, what will be the configuration of diesel technology and trucking in 2040? This is the author's prediction:

Fast forward twenty years from now, and trucks will most likely be powered by a diversity of fuels and technology. Some may be powered by hydrogen and fuel cells, some may be battery electric, some may be operating on renewable natural gas or renewable diesel fuel. In any event, according to many sources, rather than having a “sell by“ date, diesel will remain as the dominant technology moving the nation’s freight for decades to come. 

Despite California's efforts to the contrary, industry insiders seem to agree that a majority of over-the-road transporters will still be diesel powered. 

Bloomberg New Energy Finance estimates that less than 20% of our heavy-duty commercial trucks will be powered by electricity in 2040. IHS Markit makes a similar estimate. Others make similar proposals. 

As one who has been paying attention to these issues--emissions and fuel economy--for more than a quarter century, I believe that there is a disconnect between what the public understands and what is really happening. Diesel engine manufacturers have made remarkable strides toward cleaner production of efficient power. 

This is by no means an attempt to derail efforts to improve. The article goes on to note that diesel engines have the advantage of being adaptable to alternative fuels that can reduce emissions.

Diesel trucks also have the capability of operating on advanced renewable biofuels that drive down greenhouse gas emissions, operating on high quality blends of biodiesel or 100 percent renewable diesel fuel. These are fuels that have at least a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions relative to petroleum, with renewable diesel fuel, GHG emissions are reduced by at least 80 percent.

Whereas it's impossible to forecast the future with perfect 20/20 vision, that doesn't mean we can't have inklings. The stories that fill the headlines don't always reflect the realities. I remember the 1970's when  it was said that we will run out of oil in 10 years. They said it again in the 80s and 90s. Now, some say, there is more oil in the ground than we will ever take out. 

I'm not losing sleep over it. Full article here: https://www.dieselforum.org/policyinsider/what-do-the-commercial-trucks-of-the-future-look-like-in-2040-does-diesel-have-a-sell-by-date

Photo credits: corey-oconnell-EPYIbF8ly14-unsplash
and brian-wangenheim (lower photo)

Champion Oil Expands Contingency Program to Include Truck and Tractor Pullers

The other day I wrote about the Blue Flame contingency program for diesel drag racers. Evidently, someone down in Clinton, Missouri believes there's light at the end of this Covid-19 tunnel. Kudos to Champion for adding these incentives for Truck and Tractor Pullers as well. 

Here's the press release that came across the wire and fell into my inbox yesterday:

Champion Oil Expands Truck and Tractor Pulling Contingency Program

(Clinton, Mo / 11.18.20) Champion Oil, a globally recognized industry leader in performance lubricants for over 64 years, recently announced the expansion of their Racing Contingency Program for 2021.The all-encompassing marketing program is designed to link Champion performance products directly with truck and tractor pullers in all racing classes of competition and in most sanctioned events in North America. https://www.championbrands.com/racer-contingency/

 

The 2021 Champion Truck and Tractor Pullers Contingency Program includes, but is not limited to racing events such as:  National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA), WNY Pro Pulling Series – NY & Canada, Outlaw Pulling Series, Hot Farm Pulling Series Club, Diesel Motorsports (NADM), SS Pulling Series, Smoke & Speed, Northwest PA Tractor & Truck pullers Association, Truck & Tractor Pulling (TNT), Mid Missouri Pulling, Outlaw Diesel Super Series (ODSS), Texas truck & Tractor Pullers Association (TTTPA), Pro Pulling League, Illinois Tractor Pulling Association (ITPA), Rudy’s Diesel Truck Jam, etc.

https://www.championbrands.com/racer-contingency/

 

Trucks or tractors pull a heavy drag sled along a 35 ft. wide, 330 ft. long track, with the winner being the vehicle that pulls the drag sled the farthest. The sport is known as the world's most powerful motorsport, due to the use of multi-engine modified tractor pullers.

 

The drag sled is a weight transfer drag sled as it is pulled down the track, the weight is transferred with gears to the sled’s wheels from over the rear axles and towards the front of the drag sled. In front of the rear wheels there is a "pan". This is essentially a metal plate, and as the weight moves toward it, the resistance between the pan and the ground builds. The farther the tractor pulls the drag sled, the more difficult it gets.

 

Champion Racing and Performance products are the choice of champions in racing events nationwide. Champion’s new 2021 expanded contingency program supports race teams from dirt track to pavement, gas to diesel, and circle track to tractor pulls with contingency cash pay-out awards.

Racing teams and racers can apply for the Champion Racing Oil Contingency Program now through June 30th, 2021.  -->Click on the Orange Button in the right hand column here.

About: Champion Brands, LLC, a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 64 years. Champion also produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about contact your nearest Champion distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, 64735 or go to  http://www.championbrands.com

Things Change: Ford Scraps Bi-Turbo Ecodiesel Engine for U.S. Ford Transit

It's been an unusual year all around, what with the global pandemic and a variety of other upheavals. When things get challenging, it's nice to have other things to look forward to, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

For some, what gets them jazzed about auto shows is watching the future get unveiled. New styles, new technologies, and even new engine designs. Last year Ford announced that it would be offering its 2.0L EcoBlue Bi-Turbo diesel engine in the U.S. market late this year. It was to be a big development for its Ford Transit cargo vans. 

According to a story at Ford Authority, this new development has been scrapped. It's simply not to be.

Personally, I liked the idea of Blue Flame diesel oil in an EcoBlue Bi-Turbo diesel engine. I was thinking of the visual harmonics generated by the blue oil and cool blue power plant.  

Ford spokesperson Elizabeth Kraft specifically cited the coronavirus as culprit in the delays that kept Ford from achieving its introduction deadlines. Once the delays became extensive, Ford execs decided there was insufficient market demand to complete the project. 

For what its worth, this is the same engine used in the Ford Ranger Raptor, and European Transit. 

The gasoline-powered Transits will have various conversion options. They will be assembled in Ford's Kansas City plant in Claycomo, Missouri. You can see photos and read more details here.

* * * 

Rudolph Diesel and the Birth of Diesel Power

I've always loved reading biographies. Perhaps it's because every person has a history and it's intriguing to learn about the early influences of people who have later become influential. Rudolf Diesel is one of these.

The name sounds so German you would think he was born in Munich or Heidelberg, but no, he was born in Paris, to German immigrants there, in 1858. A few weeks later he was given away to a farmer family in Vincennes, only to be returned nine months later.

How this experience informed his later development is unknown but when the Franco-Prussian War broke out in 1870 the family was forced to leave France. Why they did not return to Germany but instead went to London is also a curious development. Instead, they sent young Rudolf back to Germany to live with relatives in Augsburg. At age 14 he wrote a letter to his parents saying he wanted to be an engineer.

For what it's worth, this incident reminds me of a joke, if I may digress here. 

What is European Heaven? British humor, French cuisine and German engineering.

What is European Hell? British cuisine, French engineering and German humor.

To verify the facts of these stereotypes, my father wished me to also be an engineer, so while in high school I was encouraged to study German.

Diesel proceeded to study engineering in Munich, where he graduated with honors. His first efforts upon graduation were related to refrigeration, which he pursued with his former professor, now in Paris. After acquiring numerous patents in that field he went on to do research and development on steam engine technology. This ultimately led to the development of an internal combustion engine, since his ultimate goal was the maximum efficient production of power.

Because he understood thermodynamics and the practical limits of fuel efficiency he knew that steam power wastes as much as 90% of the power potential of the fuel. This knowledge is what inspired him to do whatever it would take to develop the engine that now bears his name.

Diesel power is the result of applied science, at the dawn of an emerging scientific era. The first successful Diesel engine, now on display at the German Technical Museum, ran in 1897.

There's little doubt in my mind that Rudolf Diesel would be astonished to see how far his original ideas have been developed and the power supplied by a diesel engine today

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Diesel

Ram Power Wagon Celebrates 75th Anniversary

One of the great things about having a long history is that it affords you an opportunity to celebrate the anniversaries of milestones. The history of Dodge is one such story with many anniversaries.

The Dodge brothers got their start as manufacturers of parts for other automakers back in the first days of the automobile. In 2014 they celebrated the 100th anniversary of their decision to become automakers themselves. Horace and John called their new business the Dodge Brothers Company.

Within a relatively short time Dodge was the #2 automobile in America in terms of sales. Sadly, in 1920 both of the brothers died prematurely--John from pneumonia and Horace later in the year from cirrhosis. Without their energy and innovation the company wasn't the same and in 1925 the widows sold it for 146 million dollars, the largest cash transaction in history at that point in time. Three years later the brand was acquired by Chrysler.

IN 1934 Dodge began devoting itself to building four-wheel drive trucks for the Army, both half-ton and full-ton. They were built to be rugged, reliable and unbreakable. It was basic but masterful engineering, easy to drive and durable. Soldiers who experienced these machines returned from the war with a desire to own trucks of their own, and Dodge went to work coming up with a civilian version of their four-wheel drive "carry alls."

As everyone who's ever been involved in naming a product knows, you really want to get it right.  Eventually, after trying out a variety of names before the launch, they called it the Power Wagon. Great name, and this year is the 75th anniversary of its introduction. How appropriate that I saw this story Wednesday on Veteran's Day. A big salute to Dodge for the 226,700 trucks they built for our armed forces during the war, and for staying with it afterwards.

Other names they originally considered included the Farm Utility Truck, the WDX General Purpose Truck, and the One Ton Truck. When they appeared on the showroom floor they were Power Wagons.  

The story that triggered this nostalgic trip through history was this one: 

2021 Ram Power Wagon 75th Anniversary Edition
First Mass-production 4x4 Pickup Truck Celebrates 75 Years of Service

Ahead of Nov. 11 Veterans Day observances, Ram is commemorating the 75th anniversary of Power Wagon with a special acknowledgment of Power Wagon's heritage, which stretches back to World War II. The 2021 Ram Power Wagon 75th Anniversary Edition is loaded with unique features and celebrates the rich history of the most iconic model in the heavy-duty pickup segment. 

The truck is available in 11 colors, two of them new and unique: Anvil Grey and Molten Orange. It also features a unique grille, 75th Anniversary badging, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels and premium leather interior. In short, this is no longer a basic, durable army truck. It's a behemoth with wow. 

You can read the full story here.

Some of the other info on this blog post came from Origins of the Dodge Power Wagon, published at AllPar.com.