Technological Innovation Showcased at 31st World LPG Conference

The Global Technology Conference (GTC), which is organized by the World LPG Association (WLPGA) every year, is the opportunity for companies, research institutes, educational establishments, and individuals to showcase the latest technological innovation impacting on the global LPG industry. The GTC is held during the WLPGA World Forum, which this year will be in Houston, during the first week of October.

Planning for GTC starts in November each year with the “call for abstracts.” For GTC 2018, 21 abstracts were submitted to the selection committee from nine different countries. The GTC selection committee chose 12 papers (there will be a joint presentation of two similar papers) for presenting during GTC in Houston, which will be held over two sessions (broadly split between operations and applications) during the afternoon of Tuesday, Oct. 2. A brief description of the 12 follows.

Development of a Heavy-Duty, High-Output, Low-Emissions LPG Engine

Steven King, Zenith Power Products (U.S.A.): The conversion of a 12-liter diesel engine into a spark-ignited LPG engine suitable for stationary standby and prime power applications that maintains diesel-like thermal efficiencies and exhaust temperatures, and provides very economical and highly-reliable engine operation with low emissions.

John Hoffert, Enviro Power LLC (U.S.A.): A new type of co-generation technology designed specifically for the light-commercial and residential markets that’s affordable, easy to install and maintain, pays for itself, provides backup power, and generates electricity that has a carbon footprint smaller than electricity from the U.S. grid.

Arthur Sams, Polar Power Inc. (U.S.A.): Identifying a new market for LPG in off-grid telecommunication sites that are currently diesel-fueled as well as other off-grid applications such as ECO hotels, mobile and electric charging stations in alliances with LPG generator manufacturers and solar hybrid system suppliers.

Jean Roy, Tecogen Inc. (U.S.A.): A patented dual-stage after treatment system originally developed for stationary natural gas internal combustion engines, and tested on gasoline passenger cars, can provide a near-zero emission solution for LPG forklifts to mitigate the growing regulatory pressure for end users to adopt electric and fuel cell forklifts.

Ross Ryskamp, West Virginia University Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines, and Emissions (U.S.A.): Use a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) to establish exhaust emissions and performance characteristics of propane-fueled vehicles/engines through in-use testing methods in comparison to vehicles/engines fueled with other common transportation fuels installed on bi-fuel gasoline/propane, propane, and diesel-powered school buses operating on public roads.

: A Case Study on the Use of IoT to Accelerate Market Adoption and Combat Illegal Practices

Fausto Marcigot, PayGo Energy (Italy and U.K.): A single platform that connects end consumers of LPG to retailers, and retailers to wholesalers, using a range of IoT hardware and software products enables both the acceleration of LPG adoption via pay-as-you-go functionality, and the reduction of LPG cylinder loss and cross-filling by turning cylinders into connected devices that are easily tracked, monitored, and controlled.

Pete Dwyer, Cavagna Group spa (U.S.A.): A new style of relief valve that features a replaceable cartridge has been developed, allowing the user to easily and quickly replace the cartridge while the valve body remains installed and the tank remains pressurized, thereby eliminating the need for the traditional practice of tank evacuation. It also reduces the strain on the internal seals of the valve.

Michael Welch, Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd. (U.K.): An integrated distributed energy solution can provide clean, low-carbon, affordable energy for local communities while reducing the emission to air of pollutants hazardous to human health. The byproducts from the power generation process can also be used to generate high-value products and water, creating additional value for local economies and encouraging sustainable growth.

Dean Swift, Envirofit (U.S.A.): A SmartGas meter, equipped with mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, can enable customers to Pay-As-You-Cook for LPG. Results from piloting the technology in Kenya and Ghana among approximately 300 households to learn consumer value propositions and build a scalable model will be discussed. (This paper will be presented together with another paper from Envirofit, Monetizing Carbon Credits for LPG Cooking in Emerging Markets.)

Tim Bauer, Envirofit (U.S.A.): Carbon finance provides a vital support to emerging technologies to overcome the barriers to entry in emerging markets. Purchasing LPG on a Pay-As-You-Cook basis unlocks the market for LPG carbon monetization and tracking LPG adoption and usage for monitoring purposes. (This paper will be presented together with another paper from Envirofit, SmartGas: Results from the First Pay-As-You-Cook Program to Increase LPG Adoption in Kenya and Ghana.)

Nicola Canella, SMARTMETERQ srl (Italy): This smart meter to measure the volume of natural gas and LPG uses technology based on an innovative ultrasonic sensor that also integrates the temperature sensor for volume conversion and achieves a high level of performance.

Jai Prakash Pandey, Indian Oil Corp. (India): The concept of “IntelliGreen Plant” (Intelligent and Environment Friendly) has been developed for incorporating the technological advancement in plant operations, safety, security, energy management, receipts, dispatches, stock accounting, etc., for enhanced customer satisfaction, productivity, and to provide an edge over the competitors.

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All of the above papers, together with the other nine abstracts originally submitted, will be showcased in the form of a poster display inside the exhibition at the WLPGA Forum in Houston.

The authors of the above papers will be given up to 15 minutes to present their PowerPoint presentations at the Forum followed by a Q&A session. The two best papers will receive WLPGA Innovation Awards during the WLPGA gathering in Houston.

WLPGA Forum 2018 Houston and GTC 2018 are events not to be missed. If you would like more information about GTC Houston, or if you have some new exciting technology to share next year at GTC 2019 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, please contact Nikos Xydas at

or David Tyler at

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Written by David Tyler. Tyler is director of projects and business practices at the World LPG Association.