Parker Hannifin Corporation introduces the FM80 Fuel Regulation Module, a fully integrated CNG (compressed natural gas) flow control and regulation system for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles with 5- to 12-liter engines.
According to the company, most current gas handling systems are typically composed of a rubber-like diaphragm regulator, filter, sensors and solenoid plumbed together with a multitude of fittings. Unlike current systems, Parker said its FM80 features an “advanced FM80 metal piston-style regulator, coalescent filters, pressure sensors, a lock-off solenoid valve, heat exchanger, and low-pressure relief valve, all in one compact body.”
Other components include choice of Parker’s hoses, fittings, seals, manual shut-off valve, check valves, receptacles and nozzles. The company said the system has been tested on a variety of engines and meets the flow and regulation specifications of all leading OEMs with CNG options.
The FM80 was launched by Parker’s Veriflo Division at a press conference on May 6 at the 2015 Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Dallas.
According to Madhukar Puniani, business development manager (Natural Gas Systems), Parker Veriflo Division: “Aside from being the only complete system solution on the market, the Parker FM80 Fuel Regulation Module offers several breakthrough features to improve performance and vehicle uptime. Incorporation of a larger oil sump means longer times between filter drains, helping increase driver productivity and asset utilization. Innovative technology prevents freezing problems in the winter and eliminates leakage of gas into coolant from wear of soft diaphragms and seals over time.”
The FM80 was engineered for medium- to heavy-duty vehicles like delivery and day cab trucks, cement trucks, school and transit buses, and waste refuse/recycling vehicles, the company said. In addition to the FM80, Parker offers multiple fuel module options for system integrators and OEMs.
The company said the FM80 is designed to achieve the highest nominal flow rate (175 lb/hr / 80 kg/hr) in the industry and the lowest low-pressure operating parameter (250 psig), which increases the usable range of CNG vehicles by a critical 3 to 5%.
“As a global company, Parker is committed to providing cutting-edge technologies to reduce the world’s dependence on diesel fuel, which is widely used in medium- and heavy-duty fleet and industrial vehicles,” according to Tamara Horne, general manager of Parker Veriflo Division. “Natural gas is cleaner, more economical, and less toxic to the air and environment than diesel. Parker is proud to be the first manufacturer to offer a fully integrated, high-performance CNG fuel management system in the new Parker FM80 Fuel Regulation Module. It’s the ideal system when performance and productivity of your fleet is critical to your business.”
