Liquigaz joins DOE in transport fuel study

Liquigaz Philippines Corp., the local unit of SHV Gas of Netherlands, has forged an agreement with the Department of Energy (DOE) to study the commercial viability of using a blend of diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for buses.

At the signing ceremonies on Thursday, Liquigaz president and managing director Santanu Guha said that the dual fuel technology will allow buses to use 80 percent diesel and 20 percent LPG, thus reducing fuel costs.

Under the agreement, Liquigaz will provide for free the test engine parts and LPG kits worth P150,000 each for seven buses, or a total of P1.05 million.

Beneficiaries are HM Transport Inc., CHER Transport Corp., Joyselle Express Inc., Mencorp Transport System Inc., and Nova Auto Transport Inc.

For six months, the participating bus companies will test the diesel and LPG blend system, according to Energy Secretary Jose Rene D.

Almendras.

These bus companies will then submit to Liquigaz the data regarding the performance of the diesel-Auto-LPG bus every 15 days, including consumption, mileage, drivers’ evaluation and overall performance of the buses, Almendras added.

After the feasibility study, all parties will generate baseline data on fuel savings and the corresponding reduction in fuel consumption, the energy chief said.

Almendras noted that the pilot study of the dual-fueled buses was a “half step” towards achieving 100 percent use of alternative fuel.

Guha added that the technology, which he said was already being used in Australia, will help the Philippine transport sector in its transition from using traditional fuel products to cleaner fuels.

The diesel-auto-LPG project is part of the DOE’s Fueling Sustainable Transport Program (FSTP) and the Alternative Fuels Program.  Amy R. Remo