From a major generator company (not Cummins)....
Post# of 3601
"Bi-Fuel engines start on diesel fuel and add natural gas as load is applied, until it runs primarily on natural gas. It’s not a new concept—bi-fuel engines have been used in commercial applications for decades."
Could not have said it better myself.
Can an engine be made to run completely on natural gas? Yes.
BUT that is not the objective here. The objective is to take a short duration, low rated gas oriented engine and make it run as if it was a 'long term' engine with a lower cost of operation AND probably a lower cost to make and sell.
In fact if someone has a (Cummins in this case) nat gas engine, they could get Coates Intl kit and have a new long life engine. Even better, Cummins can strike a deal with GC and make their own units with no change in their production line.... just leave the head/valve area off & use the CSRV kit.
The small amount of diesel used to start and (depending on whose engine) to continuously run, is of small consequence in the oil field setting. Diesel still powers the trucks and other gear. The amount used by the CSRV nat gas engine is trivial in comparison to a diesel. It is mainly for the piston/cylinder lubrication areas, not for the power pulse during long run periods.
Simply put, use of diesel fuel is the engine manufacturer's criteria and not the province of the CSRV. If the Manufacturer spends a bit more engineering and materials improvement, I do not doubt the diesel use would go away.
Stay long and buy COTE IMO.