Text 2B. Volvo Trucks Looks to Methane-Diesel for the Long Haul

by Ryan Gehm

Read the text and to answer the following questions:

1. What is the new FM Methane Diesel model provided with?

2. What needs can the liquefied gas meet?

3. What did the Volvo Trucks' field tests demonstrate?

4. What advantages are offered by a new technology in comparison with conventional gas-powered spark­plug engines?

5. Why was it decided to use natural gas in engine?

1.The new FM MethaneDiesel model is powered by a 13-L engine producing 460 hp (343 kW) and 2300 N-m (1700 Ib-ft) of torque. The technology is based on a conventional diesel engine equipped with gas injectors, a "Thermos-like" fuel tank that keeps the gas liquefied and chilled to -140°C (-220°F), and a specially modified catalytic converter. Using liquefied gas allows more fuel to be stored in the tanks than if the fuel is compressed, providing greater range than that of traditional gas-powered trucks that utilize spark-plug technology. In a truck with a gross weight of 40 t (44 ton), the fuel tank holds enough gas for a range of up to 500 km (310 mi) in normal driving.

2. Liquefied gas is the alternative fuel of choice for a new regional distribution truck from Volvo Trucks that can also fulfill long-haul requirements. The Volvo FM MethaneDiesel, which will launch ini­tially in select European countries where sufficient infrastructure exists, can run on a fuel combination of up to 75% natural gas or biogas—both of which consist of methane—and the rest diesel. The pro­portions can vary depending on how the vehicle is used. By using liquefied gas in an efficient diesel engine it is possible to use gas-powered trucks in heavier and longer-distance transport operations.

3.Volvo Trucks' field tests show that the methane-diesel engine offers the same operating reliability as the conventional diesel, and with "similar" drive ability. When the gas tank runs dry, the system automatically switches over to diesel. The driver is alerted via a control lamp that comes on in the instru­ment panel. This technology with natural gas gener­ates 10% lower CO₂ emissions than a diesel engine does, according to Volvo Trucks. The company claims that, compared with conventional gas-powered spark­plug engines, its gas technology offers 30 to 40% higher efficiency, which in turn cuts fuel consumption by 25%. Interest in natural gas is being largely driven by environmental considerations as well as by concerns over the secure supply of energy. The Volvo FM MethaneDiesel will be sold initially in the Netherlands, the U.K., and Sweden.

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Text 2C. Read the following information without a dictionary and make its rendering in English

First Results from National EV Trial

Initial results from a UK-wide trial of low-carbon vehicles are providing valuable information about how drivers use and charge electric cars. 22 Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric cars have been leased to drivers to use for 12 months. Over the course of the project 110 vehicles from six manufacturers will be tested, including electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell cars. Average daily mileage was 23 miles , well within the i-MiEV’s 80-mile range. The longest journey was 56 miles, perhaps indicating that the drivers avoid recharging at their destination. The maximum distance driven in one day was just over 100 miles.

The vehicles are quick and easy to plug in and this becomes a habit , even if the battery is still mostly full, so the vehicles are usually fully charged at the start of the day. Collecting data from real-world usage of electric vehicles through satellite mapping and on-board telemetry has been essential in understanding the actual demands and requirements placed on EV by the end user. The vehicles are fitted with a GPS and data logger. Data is sent out every minute when the car is in use and every 15 minutes when parked.( 950 characters )

(Engineering and Technology, issue10, 2010 )

Unit 3

New words

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Word-combinations

Exercise 1. Match the pairs of synonyms