Dual-fuel vehicle

Bi-Fuel Vehicle A vehicle with two separate fuel systems designed to run either on an alternative fuel, or on gasoline or diesel, using only one fuel at a time. Bi-fuel vehicles are referred to as dual-fuel vehicles in the CAA and EPACT. 

LPG, stored as a liquid at its saturation pressure, is vaporized and introduced as vapor in conventional spark ignition motors. These motors are not modified with the exception of their feed system. Moreover, in the majority of cases, dual fuel capabilities have been adapted, that is, the vehicle can use either LPG or liquid fuel. 

The United States passed the Energy Policy Act in 1992. One goal was to reduce the amount of petroleum used for transportation by promoting the use of alternative fuels in cars and light trucks. These fuels included natural gas, methanol, ethanol, propane, electricity, and biodiesel. Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) can operate on these fuels and many are dual fueled also running on gasoline. 

Most of these vehicles are dual fueled and run on hydrogen or gasoline. The driver is able to change from hydrogen to gasoline while driving with a switch from the vehicle. 

Dual Fuel (or Flex Fuel) Vehicle - A vehicle with an engine capable of operating on two different types of fuels. 

Exhaust emission standards since the 1981 model year vehicles have required the use of three-way catalysts, either alone or in combination with an oxidation catalyst. Three-way catalysts are designed to operate in a very narrow range about the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio. In this range the HC and CO are subject to oxidation and the NO, compounds undergo reduction. The downstream oxidation catalyst in a dual bed system is generally used as a "clean-up catalyst lo further control HC and CO emissions. The most common catalytic combination in three-way uses is platinum/rhodium. Current production applications use these elements in a relatively rich proportion of 5 1 lo 10 1. whereas the respective mine ratio is about 19 1. 

The current US emission limits for light duty vehicles are achieved for gasoline fueled cars by engines equipped with a controlled threeway catalyst system including an oxygen sensor and fuel injection. For the older engine types dual bed reduction/oxidation catalyst systems are often applied (Ref. 3). 

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