WorldWide Drilling Resource

65 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® JUNE 2013 Reggie’s World by Reggie Stockert R.G. Stockert Drilling Co. Relief is in sight. For the last few years, contractors in all vocations have had to put up with the problems of first buying new equipment, then the main- tenance of Tier 4 engines which use DPF (diesel particulate filters). Several companies like Kohler have come up with new technology. What grabbed my attention was fromDoosan Engine Group. They developed three new engines: D18 has 1.8 liters, 3 cylinders, and 50 horsepower (hp); D24 has 2.4 liters, 4 cylinders, and 74 hp; and D34 has 3.4 liters and100 hp. These engines do not need DPF to meet Tier 4 requirements. Doosan’s new engines feature changes to piston and ring design, as well as other modifica- tions to meet Tier 4 Final emissions regulations without using a DPF. These new engines have fixed valve timing with a maximum of 5 injections per cycle with 26,000 psi injectors and an optimized single turbocharger. EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) rates were increased in some operating points (rpm and torque loads) and reduced in others to optimize engine performance, fuel economy, and emissions reduction. Bobcat, a sister company to Doosan Engine Group, said the new engines will be added to some of its Tier 4 machines for 2014. Other manufacturers are making changes as well. Cummins at bauma 2013 featured one of the most impres- sive engine lineups ever seen at the show, the smallest to largest engine display featuring engines from 49 hp to 4200 hp. These engines are some of the broadest, most capable in the industry meeting Tier 4 Final regulations. Let's not overlook a lot of engine manufacturers have also been working with natural gas power. If the price of natural gas stays low and stable, this would be a real deal changer because it makes engines efficient and clean burning. You might ask what the diesel gallon equivalent is. Natural gas does not have the energy density of diesel. It takes about 1.4 gallons of natural gas to A serenade to the Doosan D24 engine during bauma 2013. WWDR photo. +0 .5 .&((&*$ -1&,)"*0 ' 3 ** 0.""0 (5,% *0 ##& " ("/ 7 " %*& ( 1,,+.0 7 4 7 ) &( .+0 .5!.&((&*$"-1&,)"*0 $) &( +) 10%+.&6"! *!2&' &/0.& 10+. ".2&*$ 0%" .+1*!3 0". *!1/0.5 -32* &; = 3'.0* 1&.0 /('.768440< <&-33 (31 &00 86 35 9.6.7 86 &7 .57 .,,*5 2*: &2) 86*) '. 76 1&7 5 .; &2) 67**0 '3)< 7 0 & 6 3 4 ( 3 :35/39*5 7337- &2) '87732 '.76 *&5 0&: 855.(&2* &2) -314 1. 0 06 +35 (*1*27 1*7&0 &2) (31436.7* 408,6 5&, '.76 &2) /*00< '.76 !$" ! % # ! ! # equal the energy output of 1 gallon of diesel. Rather than making you do the math, the industry uses the term diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) to compare the two. A DGE of natural gas has the same energy content and will do the same amount of work as 1 gallon of diesel fuel, even though a DGE of natural gas will be larger in volume than 1 gallon of diesel fuel. Natural gas engines and retrofits are not cheap. Prices range from $5000 to $11,000 for light and medium-duty pick- ups; and $30,000 to $40,000 for a Class 8 truck. Time will tell the direction the industry will follow, but you can always rely on change. Til next month, Reggie Reggie Stockert may be contacted via e-mail at admin@ worldwidedrillingresource.com