A prototype engine, using a Modular Reed Valve (MRV) from Zahroof Corp for the check valves, was designed, built and successfully tested to prove the concept of selectively repurposing one cylinder of an automobile engine running on compressed natural gas (CNG) to be used as a compressor. This would allow a CNG vehicle to refuel itself at home quickly and with low capital cost. Phase I of the ARPA-E MOVE project conducted by the Oregon State University (OSU) was successfully completed and Zahroof Corp is now providing the valve technology for Phase II of this project.
The study, headed by Christopher L. Hagen of OSU along with researchers from Czero, is titled ‘Design and Analysis of a Self-Refueling CNG Vehicle to Provide Home Refueling’. The study examines the limitations of current natural gas refuelling systems and proposes the repurposing of one cylinder of a vehicle’s internal combustion engine as a compressor of CNG. The MRV, a patented reciprocating compressor valve technology that is the core technology used in Zahroof Valve’s flagship product, the ZVI StraightFlo Valve (SFV) was able to meet the challenge, resulting in the success of Phase I of this project. The project is currently in Phase II and is examining ways to increase the compression ratio to improve pumping efficiency, among other efforts.
