ATLANTA – Icom North America now brings the environmental and fuel economy benefits of its liquid-injection propane system to diesel-powered vehicles, the company announced today.
Jasper Alternate Fuels, a division of Jasper Engines & Transmissions, unveiled the Icom JTG-Dynamic system, configured for use with an International DT466 engine, at the Southeastern Convention and International Propane Expo of the National Propane Gas Association here. The Icom system allows for use of a 50 percent blend of diesel and propane fuels.
Jasper and Icom are working with fleets that presently use the International DT466 diesel engine to help them control their fuel costs. Jasper Alternate Fuels has over 55 highly-trained installation centers across the U.S. to perform both LPG and CNG conversions on vehicles.
“We are very excited about the release of the diesel/propane blended unit. The industry has been looking for a unit like this that can provide an increase in power and torque plus a cutback of 50 percent of the diesel fuel expense,” said Ed Zoglman, Jasper Alternate Fuels Division Manager. “We tried this in the early 90’s, and while we realized a gain in power, our customers were looking for fuel savings and cleaner emissions. This system has both.”
“Jasper Engines and Transmissions is the nation’s leader in remanufactured vehicle drivetrain components, so it is natural for us to continue to broaden our horizons in alternative fuels, having started the division in the early 1990’s,” said Zoglman. “Jasper is proud to be associated with a company like Icom, which has made such extensive innovations in the alternative fuels field.”
“At Jasper, we realize that our products must meet the needs of a diverse audience. We must also meet our nation’s needs to conserve our natural resources and provide for a cleaner environment,” added Zoglman. “Through remanufacturing, we are able to recycle existing drivetrain products and give them new life and usefulness. Our alternative fuels-related division and alternative fuel engines take this philosophy one step further as we work to combine power and energy needs with cleaner-burning fuels. We truly are a ‘Green Company.'”
Icom North America, LLC, a pioneer developer and producer of liquid-injection propane systems and tanks for commercial and consumer vehicles, is headquartered outside of Detroit in New Hudson, Michigan.
“Icom’s new JTG-Dynamic diesel system powers vehicles with an average 50-50 mixture of liquid-injected propane and diesel fuel. It is the only system for diesels that injects liquid propane, not vapor, which has numerous advantages,” notes Icom’s CEO Ralph Perpetuini. “It is an innovative approach which gives more power, more torque and improved efficiency and reliability while lowering emissions and providing huge fuel cost savings.”
With the Icom JTG-Dynamic system installed, a vehicle can run in either the propane/diesel dual-fuel mode or the original diesel mode. The vehicle’s engine is not mechanically modified, and in the dual-fuel mode the Icom ICU controls and monitors the engine.
The system can be installed on diesel injection engines with electronics specifically programmed for its engine platform. Icom now offers systems configured for International DT466 and Cummins 11.9 engine families with full production in the 3rd quarter of this year, with more engine platforms under development.
Albert Venezio, chairman of Icom, says “the Icom JTG-Dynamic System is a huge breakthrough technology which has many important advantages for vehicle owners, especially fleet operators. It dramatically reduces operating costs because the 50 percent average displacement of diesel with propane allows fleet owners to enjoy the financial benefits of propane. Propane is a cheaper fuel than diesel and also has a 50-cents-per-gallon alternative fuel tax credit. In addition JTG Dynamic reduces pollutant emissions, and helps to reduce petroleum imports, because propane is mostly U.S. sourced, thus strengthening national security and the U.S. economy. It is an all-around winner for diesel fleets.”
Further information is available at: www.jasperengines.com/alternate-fuel.php