West Chester University’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle

ProgramCompressed Natural Gas

BioDiesel B20

University Garage

West Chester University

West Chester, PA.

Alternative FuelsAlternative FuelsOverviewOverview

On April 24, 1998 WCU celebrated the grand opening of its compressed natural gas refueling center, becoming the first Pennsylvania college or university east of Pittsburgh to start a CNG vehicle program, and bringing WCU in compliance with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and the National Energy Policy Act of 1992.

WCU replaced traditional Diesel fuel with BioDiesel B20 in April, 2008.

West Chester University has 22 CNG capable vehicles with more on the way!

WCU has 6 trucks and 12 pieces of grounds equipment operating on BioDiesel B20.

Alternative Fuels FactsAlternative Fuels Facts

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Ethanol (E85) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Propane - Liquefied Propane Gas (LPG) BioDiesel Electric (EV) and Hybrid Electric (HEV)

Commonly Used Alternative Fuels for Transportation include:

Why use Alternative Fuels?For cleaner air

For less dependence on foreign oil

For lower cost fuel

What is Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)?

CNG is 92% Methane, but also contains Ethane, Propane, Butanes, Pentanes, Hexanes, CO2

and Nitrogen.

Where Does WCU Get its CNG?It’s the same gas piped right from the street mains used to supply our homes for heat, hot water heaters, and stoves. WCU has a “Fast Fill” pumping facility that compresses the natural gas from a street pressure of about 20 psi to approximately 4000 psi. Refuels vehicles in a matter of minutes.WCU has a “Slow Fill” unit that can refuel vehicles overnight.

What Else Should I Know?What Else Should I Know? Every kind of vehicle is available with some type

Alternative Fuel Engine Some alternative fuels are available only in

some regions There are special grants and tax incentives

available to promote the use of Alternative Fuel Vehicles

How much does CNG cost?How much does CNG cost? CNG costs about 30% less per

Gasoline Gallon Equivalent (GGE) than gasoline.

Costs associated with dispensing equipment and additional vehicle costs associated with CNG are funded in part by grants available from governmental agencies.

WCU Fuel ConsumptionWCU Fuel ConsumptionWCU’s use of Gasoline and Diesel fuels has WCU’s use of Gasoline and Diesel fuels has been offset by the increased use of cleaner been offset by the increased use of cleaner burning CNG and BioDiesel B20 !burning CNG and BioDiesel B20 !

2001 2008 Difference

Gasoline 37289 29381 -7908

Diesel/B20 5462 5032 -430

CNG 1737 10321 +8584

Total Pumped 44489 44734 +245WCU used more than 10,000 Gasoline Gallon Equivalency of CNG in FY

2008.

From 2001 to 2006, WCU increased the number of vehicles using diesel type fuel, and decreased the amount of diesel type fuel being used.

How Clean is CNG?How Clean is CNG?CNG vehicles demonstrate an 80% reduction in ozone forming emissions. CNG vehicles emit*:

90 – 97% less Carbon Monoxide (CO)50 – 75% less Hydrocarbons (HC)35 – 60% fewer Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx)90 – 97% less Particulate Matter97 – 99% less Benzene25 % less Carbon Dioxide100% reduction of Lead and Sulfur emissions

*Compared with Reformulated Gasoline. *Percentages vary with type of vehicle.

What is BioDiesel?BioDiesel (Methyl Esters) can be made from many different feed stocks:

Soybean and Rapeseed are most common Restaurant waste oils (waste trap oil) Animal fats can also be used

Manufactured as “B100”, but generally marketed as “B20”, which is 80% traditional diesel mixed with 20% BioDieselASTM D6751 standard approved to insure quality

Higher Cetane Rating Higher Lubricity No Sulfur

Lower Particulate Emissions Less Exhaust Smell

Renewable Resource

No Modifications to Post-1980 era Engines – Just Pour and Go!

BioDiesel Benefits are:

What Else Should I Know? BioDiesel has a shorter shelf life than traditional diesel Higher “cloud point” – less forgiving in temps below 32

deg. Fahrenheit Concerns about farm cropland being used for Fuel

production instead of Food production Farmland not being “rested” between crops.