Sturman Industries, which conducts engine controls research and development, has received a $1 million grant by the California Energy Commission to convert a diesel truck engine to enabling Sturman Digital Hydraulic air controls
and demonstrate its efficient and practical use for natural gas stationary power generation. The company has started working on the project, which was through the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research program.

"This PIER grant showcases California's dedication to innovation and the creation of a cleaner, better future," said Carol Sturman, CEO and co-founder of Sturman Industries.

"The project will show that natural gas can achieve diesel-like efficiency by utilizing state of the art control techniques," said Eddie Sturman, co-founder. "And this demonstration is just the beginning of the improvements we can bring to the industry by adding flexibility and precise control to engines."

Sturman will use its Hydraulic Valve Actuation (HVA) technology to achieve this increased efficiency and decreased emissions.

"The HVA system utilizes proprietary ultrafast digital latching valves which allows for precise control of the gas exchange process," said Dan Giordano, principal investigator on the project. "Engine efficiency is expected to increase by 10-15 percent especially at light to medium loads. In addition, as part of this project, Sturman will use HVA to investigate the benefits of high turbulence and internal EGR through independent intake valve phasing and exhaust valve timing control, respectively."

Performing the engine management will be Sturman's Condor HVA controller and the Sturman Total Engine Controller (STEC), which closes the loop on combustion to continuously adapt to varying fuel quality. The ability to adapt to varying fuel quality and continuously optimize the combustion process for maximum efficiency means that a single engine architecture can be used for power generation, as well as on-highway and off-road mobile applications.

More info: www.sturmanindustries.com