Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - February 2023 - 30

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
The liquefied fuel is transferred into an
onboard tank that keeps it at a steady
-259 deg F (-162 deg C).
Because it holds LNG, the T7 can store four times the energy in its onboard fuel container, meaning
longer run times for the six-cylinder engine that generates 270 maximum hp (201 kW).
LNG-powered workhorse
The company also debuted a New
Holland T7 Methane Power LNG prototype
tractor that, due to its patented lowpressure,
stainless-steel cryogenic tank,
allows four times more fuel to be stored
than on the T6 Methane Power CNG tractor.
The tank and its self-supporting vacuum
space keeps liquefied methane at
-259 deg F (-162 deg C). It does that even
when the machine is not running. " The
technology in this tank is more often
found on spacecraft than on farm equipment, "
said Stefanon Fiorati, head of zero
emission and advanced drivetrains.
That technology came from
Bennaman, a British company in which
CNH Industrial now has a minority stake.
Bennaman also produces technology
allowing for an " on-farm liquid fugitive
biomethane production process " that
allows the capture and conversion of
methane from slurry lagoons that hold
livestock manure. As proof the concept
can work, Bennaman is running a sixfarm
pilot project in Cornwall, England,
with Cormac Biomethane Supply, to
produce liquid methane.
If using biomethane as the source for
the LNG, a CNH data sheet claims a
98% reduction in particulate matter
30 February 2023
versus regular diesel. It claims CO2
emissions are reduced by 11% when using
fossil natural gas, 80% when using
biomethane from waste and 180% if
using fugitive methane - when methane
(a powerful greenhouse gas that
the World Resources Institute says is
25 times stronger than CO2
over 100
years, and 72 times stronger over 20
years) escapes from industrial processes
like drilling.
The T7 LNG is powered by a six-cylinder
NEF engine from FPT Industrial that
generates 270 maximum hp (201 kW)
and can propel the tractor at 31 mph
(50 km/h). Its rear lift capacity is about
23,000 pounds (10,464 kg). CNH engineers
said it can run for eight hours
minimum even in heavy-work settings.
For the operator, the T7 LNG has the
company's PLM precision technology
inside a cab claimed to be the quietest
in its class, at 66 dBA.
New electrification research
center
CNH Industrial also announced the
opening of a new tech center in Livonia,
Michigan, devoted primarily to electrification
R&D. The company said it wanted
to get engineering talent under one
FPT Industrial's N67 NG engine powering the T7
LNG tractor can run on liquified biomethane
sourced from livestock manure and slurry,
allowing for carbon-negative operation.
roof to explore everything from componentry
to full machines.
Being located in an epicenter of vehicle
engineering and automation research
was key. " This new hub means
we can tap into a unique talent pool
who will change the face of agriculture, "
said Kevin Barr, CNH's chief human
resources officer.
Chris Clonts
TRUCK & OFF-HIGHWAY ENGINEERING
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: SAE/CHRIS CLONTS; CNH INDUSTRIAL; FPT INDUSTRIAL

Truck & Off-Highway Engineering - February 2023

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