Sightings of cool technology at SAE’s WCX2017 World Congress

Now that’s a gas tank
There are always a few student projects at SAE’s show that are interesting to look at. This snowmobile modification by engineering students at the University of Maine falls into that category. Done as a senior project, the snowmobile sports a LNG fuel system and huge LNG tank visible here. The 3,600-psi tank, basically aluminum wrapped in fiberglass, was donated. It holds 112 L which is enough to power the snowmobile for 50 to 60 miles. Students used the Artic Cat’s original four-stroke engine and outfitted it with an LNG fuel system. The LNG-powered snowmobile weighs about 50 lb. more than the stock version. Students figure they get about a 7% power gain over stock equipment by virtue of the new fuel system.
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