Linde North America has reported that its solution to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel for power-generating diesel engines (gensets) is yielding positive results during test being conducted in southwest Pennsylvania.
CONSOL Energy’s gas division is conducting the test. CONSOL Energy is a publicly traded coal and natural gas producer based in Pittsburgh. The company runs exploration and production activities in the Marcellus and Utica shales. It has been evaluating the solution in three diesel engine-based gensets to generate power utilized by drilling rigs.
The hybrid LNG-diesel solution provides cleaner burning when compared to pure diesel and reduces on-site power production costs at oil and gas fields. The solution is a partnership between American Power Group and Linde that leverages Linde’s experience in the production, on-site application, logistics and supply of LNG. American Power Group contributes a patented dual-fuel technology that transforms diesel engines to operate on an average of 40% to 60% natural gas.
The Vice President of Research & Development at CONSOL Energy, Steve Winberg stated that the company hopes to evaluate the anticipated savings in expenses and reductions in emissions, and then exploit these advantages throughout its rig fleet.
The Head of Strategic Market and Business Development for LNG business of Linde Energy Solutions, Bryan Luftglass informed that the company envisages a great potential for LNG in dual-fuel and devoted engine applications. The company is happy to join forces with innovators like CONSOL Energy that are providing guidance in using this cutting-edge technology.
Linde North America is a subsidiary of The Linde Group, a major gases and engineering company.