EPA approves Omnitek natural gas engine conversions

Omnitek Engineering received a Certificate of Conformity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) applicable for diesel-to-natural gas engine conversions of the widely operated Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine families for model years 1988 to 2009.

The Certificate of Conformity allows engine conversions to proceed in 49 States and covers the 11.1 liter, 12.7 liter and 14.0 DD60S engine models.

Omnitek will offer 100 percent dyno- tested “drop-in” ready converted engines, configured for quick installation. An assembly line engine remanufacturing/conversion process will assure that engines are in “as new” condition with the highest quality and uniformity.

“There is significant pent up demand for converted Detroit Diesel Series 60 natural gas engines and we expect strong sales momentum in the quarters ahead as fleet customers take advantage of the favorable economics of natural gas and our “drop-in” engine program. The Series 60 remains an extremely popular engine in Class 8 truck applications. With more than 1,000,000 engines produced, we are excited to add this engine to our product portfolio,” said Werner Funk, president and chief executive officer of Omnitek Engineering Corp.

Funk noted that diesel-to-natural gas engine conversions are a viable and cost-effective option for fleets to transition to natural gas within a practical timeframe. “We anticipate conversions of drayage trucks will comprise a large portion of the Series 60 business. As previously announced, Omnitek’s diesel-to-natural gas engine conversion technology was selected under a competitive grant process by the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency for a pilot project, and the project should attract additional interest from other ports across the country as it evolves,” Funk added.

Funk noted the high engine power and favorable emissions of the diesel-to-natural gas converted Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine attributed to Omnitek’s patented technology, producing 450 horsepower with low NOx emissions of 0.17 gr/bhp-hr per the EPA SET emissions test and extremely low NOx emissions of 0.04 gr/bhp-hr per the EPA NTE emissions test protocol, without the use of EGR. “As engines are converted to use 100% natural gas, CNG or LNG, the payback on a diesel-to-natural gas truck conversion can be as short as 16 months, including the cost for the engine, fuel storage system and installation labor. This is a significant improvement compared with diesel-dual fuel technology, which uses a mix of diesel and only a small amount of natural gas,” Funk said.

He said the company is working to finalize the development of the Caterpillar C15 and Cummins ISX engine conversion kits.

Press Release, September 12, 2014