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Frequently Asked Questions
- Why wouldn't I just use a natural gas engine?
- Does my engine have to be modified to operate a GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
- Do I need to modify my fuel system to use the GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
- Does the installation of the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ affect my engine warranty?
- Will the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ affect the durability of my engine?
- Will the installation of the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ affect engine reliability?
- What effect will the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ have on the efficiency of my engine?
- What affect does the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ have on an engine with considerable hours/miles on it?
- Will my engine lose power after the installation of the GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
- Will my engine run hotter with the GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
- Can my engine use 100% natural gas or other fuel source?
- Is natural gas (or the other alternative fuels) flammable?
- Will natural gas (or the other alternative fuels) cause detonation?
- Can I do the installation myself?
- How long does it generally take to install a GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
- Can I simply bolt a GFD Dual-Fuel System™ to my diesel engine?
- How complete is the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ product? (Will I have to buy any additional parts in order to install the unit?)
- What tools will I need to install the system?
- Will there be room in my engine compartment for the system to be installed?
- Does the use of natural gas (or other alternative fuels) raise cylinder pressure and temperature?
- What's the max gaseous fuel pressure the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ is rated for?
- What is the life expectancy of the system? In other words, how long will the system operate?
- Do any climates, temperatures; altitudes or weather conditions affect the system?
- When is the best time to use the GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
- How will installing the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ affect my emissions?
- Are there Tax Credits available for the use of Alternative Fuels?
- Does the use of a GFD Dual-Fuel System™ affect the catalytic converter?
- Can high compression engines utilize the GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
- Can I install the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ while the engine is running?
- How large of an engine can the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ be fitted with?
- Are there safety features incorporated into the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ and what are their functions?
1. Why wouldn't I just use a natural gas engine?
Cost of a diesel engine is less than a natural gas engine in the same HP range, Less maintenance, More efficient, Less down time, Cheaper operating costs, Operates when a gaseous fuel is not available, Larger horsepower’s in smaller packages, Larger support network around the globe and able to operate on limited gas supplies that can not support a straight natural gas engine.
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2. Does my engine have to be modified to operate a GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
No! The system has been designed to easily retrofit on diesel engines. The GFD Dual-Fuel System™ is mounted external to the engine. The installation does not require any modification or alteration of the engine components or its parameters.
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3. Do I need to modify my fuel system to use the GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
No! The GFD Dual-Fuel System™ is designed to work with your existing fuel system, by introducing alternative gaseous fuels into the air intake of the engine. This causes the diesel fuel injection to use less fuel while still accomplishing the same workload.
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4. Does the installation of the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ affect my engine warranty?
Engine manufacturers are legally required to honor their warranties on materials and workmanship. Most OEM engine warranties neither recommend nor endorse aftermarket technology. However, the use of such products does not automatically invalidate the warranty. Many OEM warranties state that they are not in a position to evaluate the many variations of aftermarket systems nor are they in a position to determine the long-term effects on performance, durability or emissions compliance of their products. As TGI Inc. cannot know the parameters of every existing warranty, it is up to the purchaser of the product to review their warranty information and verify whether or not the installation of the system would have an effect on the engine warranty and in what manner.
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5. Will the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ affect the durability of my engine?
No! The GFD Dual-Fuel System™ has no effect on durability or engine wear rates. There is no excess wear of the combustion chamber components. In addition, due to the cleaner burning characteristics of natural gas or other fuel sources there may be extended times between oil changes and overhauls. Note: Depending on the amount and type of gaseous fuel used to displace diesel fuel, different crankcase oils, as well as oil sampling, may be recommended.
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6. Will the installation of the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ affect engine reliability?
No! The GFD Dual-Fuel System™ is advantageous in that it is used when you want it. In the event the GFD goes offline, the engine will continue to operate as a normal diesel engine.
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7. What effect will the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ have on the efficiency of my engine?
The efficiency of the engine will remain the same. When using the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ the diesel fuel is replaced with an equivalent quantity of natural gas or other fuel source. As would be expected, the result is the same net engine power. The GFD Dual-Fuel System™ will also improve the burning of the fuel.
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8. What affect does the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ have on an engine with considerable hours/miles on it?
This depends largely on the actual condition of the engine. Any modification to an engine that is worn out or in poor condition does not improve the condition of the engine. Engines using the GFD Dual-Fuel Systems™ must be in good working order.
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9. Will my engine lose power after the installation of the GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
Engines converted to the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ will not lose any power. The fuel substitution rates can accommodate the full power mode.
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10. Will my engine run hotter with the GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
EGT temperature may increase slightly and in some cases can decrease.
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11. Can my engine use 100% natural gas or other fuel source?
NO! During the compression stroke of the piston, the pressure and temperature of the mixture are increased. Near the end of the compression stroke, a small quantity of pilot diesel fuel from the engine’s existing diesel fuel injection system is injected into the cylinder. The pilot diesel ignites due to compression and in turn ignites the mixture of gaseous-fuel and intake air.
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12. Is natural gas (or the other alternative fuels) flammable?
YES! Natural gas is considered flammable and so are many of the alternative fuels, whereas diesel fuel is considered a combustible. Flash points of liquids that burn below 100° F are considered flammable and above 100° F are considered combustible.
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13. Will natural gas (or the other alternative fuels) cause detonation?
Natural gas or other alternative fuels can cause detonation if the engine parameters are incorrect for cooling or other engine malfunctions exist. Also, too much gas for the load conditions may cause auto ignition or detonation. Engines using the GFD Dual-Fuel Systems™ must be in good working order.
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14. Can I do the installation myself?
TGI recommends that a trained diesel mechanic, in conjunction with TGI technical support or training, install your system.
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15. How long does it generally take to install a GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
The length of time to install a system will depend upon the system purchased. The average installation time is approximately 2 to 8 hours.
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16. Can I simply bolt a GFD Dual-Fuel System™ to my diesel engine?
Yes! TGI Inc. has designed the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ to bolt securely and easily to many diesel engine configurations.
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17. How complete is the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ product? (Will I have to buy any additional parts in order to install the unit?)
TGI Inc. supplies virtually every component needed for a complete installation. The only additional parts that you will need to complete the installation are a gas pressure regulator @ 1 to 15 PSI depending on GFD Model and a gas line to run to the GFD.
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18. What tools will I need to install the system?
The only tools needed to install the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ are common hand tools and a drill.
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19. Will there be room in my engine compartment for the system to be installed?
YES! Most engine compartments easily accommodate the system, however, the system can be installed elsewhere for convenience.
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20. Does the use of natural gas (or other alternative fuels) raise cylinder pressure and temperature?
Cylinder pressure will remain the same, however, exhaust gas temperatures may increase or decrease slightly depending on the application.
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21. What's the max gaseous fuel pressure the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ is rated for?
Components of the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ are rated to a maximum 15-PSI.
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22. What is the life expectancy of the system? In other words, how long will the system operate?
The system, with minimal maintenance, should last the life of the engine. The system can then be moved to another engine for continued use.
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23. Do any climates, temperatures; altitudes or weather conditions affect the system?
YES! Cooler temperatures can facilitate higher diesel displacement rates.
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24. When is the best time to use the GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
You will generally find the best time to use the system is when the engine is ready to be put under a load.
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25. How will installing the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ affect my emissions?
The GFD Dual-Fuel System™ meets and exceeds the EPA standards for Campbell County, WY. These standards are some of the highest in the nation. Contact us to compare our standards with your location. In most cases we can meet or exceed your emissions standards. Also, if emissions are a concern, catalytic converters are available for carbon monoxide. There is no need to remove any smog equipment when installing the GFD Dual-Fuel Systems™. In addition, oxides of nitrogen are normally reduced when using the system, allowing for cleaner burning fuel emissions.
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26. Are there Tax Credits available for the use of Alternative Fuels?
Tax credits may be available. Consult your tax advisors as the use of income tax credits is dependent upon the unique characteristics of each individual, company or corporation seeking to utilize these incentives.
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27. Does the use of a GFD Dual-Fuel System™ affect the catalytic converter?
NO! The GFD Dual-Fuel System™ can be set-up for use with a catalytic converter without any adverse affect.
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28. Can high compression engines utilize the GFD Dual-Fuel System™?
YES! Diesel engines are high compression engines.
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29. Can I install the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ while the engine is running?
NO! Safe practices should be used during the installation process. Therefore, the engine should be turned off and locked off to avoid personal injury or death.
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30. How large of an engine can the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ be fitted with?
The GFD Dual-Fuel System™ will fit an engine with up to 2000 horsepower or larger with engineering considerations.
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31. Are there safety features incorporated into the GFD Dual-Fuel System™ and what are their functions?
YES! Safety features are available with the electronic GFD Dual-Fuel Systems™ only. You may incorporate any or all three of the features. These safety features operate the gas independent of the diesel engines operation. The mechanical model uses the existing engine's safety features. Both the mechanical and electronic systems can be incorporated into the engine protection systems. The safety features are all automatic and include:
Engine Overspeed Protection: The system monitors the engine speed and will turn the gas down or off, whichever is required, should it sense engine overspeed.
High Exhaust Gas Temperature Monitoring: The system monitors the exhaust gas temperatures and will turn the gas down or off whichever is required if the temperature exceeds 1000 degrees.
Overfuel Condition: The system monitors the engine to see if it is receiving too much fuel or gas and not enough air and will cut the gas or fuel back, whichever is required.
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