Subject:
AFS Ignites Natural Gas Vehicle Market With New Sparrow IM System
Date:
Mon, 25 Sep 2000 19:06:05 -0400
From:
portfolio@newswire.ca
To:
"Portfolio Email User" <portfolio@newswire.ca>
Attention Business Editors:
AFS Ignites Natural Gas Vehicle Market With New Sparrow IM System
CALGARY, Sept. 25 /CNW/ - Today Alternative Fuel Systems Inc. (AFS)
announced successful completion of field tests on the new Sparrow IM
System
that includes a distributorless ignition module. A new evolution and
application of the AFS Sparrow Fuel Management System, the Sparrow IM is
designed to enable diesel engines to operate efficiently using 100%
natural
gas. In independent tests conducted by the customer, the Sparrow IM was
able
to achieve at least a 10% improvement in average power and torque over the
base Mercedes diesel engine. To the delight of AFS' customer, the Sparrow
IM
was able to maintain this power and torque improvement over the full range
of
engine speeds while providing excellent overall performance and engine
response.
This testing, part of AFS' project with DaimlerChrysler licensee,
IDEM,
is one of the final steps before product shipments for this project get
underway next month. As part of this project, IDEM, the original
equipment
manufacturer, will install the Sparrow IM Systems in the factory. A
national
bus manufacturer is already awaiting delivery of the first manufacturing
run
and other companies have expressed strong interest. These engines are
initially targeted for use in commuter buses in Tehran, Iran, in order to
comply with government policies promoting the use of domestic natural gas
supplies and vehicle pollution reduction. Faced with serious air quality
problems, Iran, like so many countries around the world, is taking
dramatic
steps in order to reduce vehicle emissions.
"This is another example of AFS' ability to provide customized and
effective solutions to engine emission problems," said AFS President John
C.
Anderson. "AFS doesn't just ship a box of parts. Each system we sell has
been
specifically designed for a particular engine and vehicle type in order to
meet our customers' requirements. When there was a need for a 100%
natural
gas fueling system for diesel engines, AFS was asked to design the system
and
created the hardware and software systems to make it happen."
AFS Vice President of Research and Development Paul E. Newman
commented,
"When this project first came to AFS, we evaluated the ignition systems on
the
world market. The one system we found that met our minimal requirements
only
generated a 17mJ spark. After developing our own integrated ignition
system,
we were able to provide a 70 - 90mJ spark. This larger spark enables the
Sparrow IM System to provide better cold starting and more reliable
performance overall." Newman also pointed out that a key factor in the
success of the new Sparrow IM System is the full integration between the
fuel
control and spark ignition control software. This allows the system to be
very responsive to operational and environmental changes and durable
enough to
handle heavy use in harsh environments. Self-monitoring software informs
the
driver if conditions change while maintaining optimal performance.
Anderson
said, "Obviously we are delighted with the results of these performance
tests
and with our customer's satisfaction with the power these engines provide.
As
the first step in our OEM agreement, I'm glad to see work progressing this
smoothly and successfully. We will be shipping the first 500 systems to
IDEM
by the end of this year." AFS will next be developing catalytic products
for
engine aftertreatment for IDEM for natural gas engine applications. The
two
companies are working together to achieve EURO II emission standards and
evaluate other market opportunities in other counties. As more countries
seek
to improve air quality and reduce the production of greenhouse gases,
demand
for these types of integrated products and solutions is continuing to
grow.
The Sparrow IM System designed for the Mercedes engine in Iran not only
meets
IDEM's needs, it is also similar to what would be required to meet engine
performance requirements in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Alternative Fuel Systems Inc. is an environmental technology company
providing innovative solutions to the global engine exhaust emissions
problem.
AFS has developed and commercialized electronic engine management
technologies
that enable diesel and gasoline engines to operate using natural gas, and
is
at the forefront of research into exhaust aftertreatment technology. AFS
is
headquartered in Calgary, Canada and trades on the CDNX as ATF.
The Canadian Venture Exchange Inc. has neither approved nor
disapproved
of the contents of this news release. Visit our website at:
www.AFSGlobal.com
-0- 09/25/2000
For further information: John C. Anderson, Phone: (403) 262-1833, Fax:
(403) 237-7441, Email: investor@afsglobal.com To request a free copy of
this organization's annual report, please go to www.newswire.ca and click
on reports@cnw.
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