Why Take Heavy-Duty Training?

The number of heavy-duty vehicles powered by alternative fuels is growing every year. Mandates such as the federal Energy Policy Act and the California Federal Pilot Program require most large fleets to include alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) in ever-growing numbers.

All of this means that the demand for AFV technicians is increasing dramatically. The AFV technician needs to know everything that is currently applicable to heavy-duty vehicles, along with new technology to deal with the gaseous fuel system, engine, electronics, and exhaust.

For an experienced diesel technician, the greatest challenges when working with AFVs include the concepts of working with fuels such as natural gas and propane, emission-control equipment, electronic ignition, and safety. Each chapter of the Technician’s Manual contains text, illustrations, explanatory figures and tables, chapter review questions, and job aids, along with classroom and/or shop activities.

Each corresponding chapter of the Instructor’s Manual contains everything in the Technician’s Manual, as well as a detailed daily agenda, teaching suggestions, group discussion topics, chapter review questions with answers, PowerPoint slides, and animated presentations.

The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) is pleased to offer this new course, Heavy-Duty Gaseous Fuel Applications, which meets the needs of the technician, the employer, the fleet operator, and the training institution.

Course Objectives

Taught by certified NAFTC instructors, this course will enable you to

• Explain the sources and processing of hydrocarbon gaseous fuels.
• Discuss the impact of dependence on foreign oil on the U.S. economy.
• Describe the sources and effects of environmental pollution.
• List the major alternative fuels currently or soon to be in use, and compare the benefits and drawbacks of each.
• Use the concepts of pressure, density, and volume in describing, measuring, and handling gaseous fuels.
• State the chemical and physical properties of methane, propane, and hydrogen.
• List the primary emissions from automotive and transportation uses, and identify the sources and remedies for each.
• Describe the four-stroke Otto and diesel cycles, and explain how combustion is different with a gaseous fuel.
• Explain lean-burn technology and calculate the correct air-fuel ratio to achieve best power, lowest emissions, and greatest fuel economy.
• Describe the components of a natural gas fuel system and explain how each operates.
• Explain the operation of the Electronic Control Module (ECM) and the components that connect to it.
• Describe the operation of the ignition system and its components.
• List personal and shop safety procedures, and describe the appropriate responses to common emergencies such as fire, gas leakage, and collision.
• List the major policies and regulations pertaining to the installation, operation, and inspection of gaseous fuel vehicles.

Materials Provided to the Technician

• Course Manual including review questions and shop activities.
• Program certificate, continuing education units (CEUs), and uniform badges.

Materials Provided to the Instructor

• Instructor's Manual including course agenda and planning notes.
• Technician's Course Manual and job aids (charts, handbooks, checklist).
• Program certificate, continuing education units (CEUs), and uniform badges.
• Training aids (overheads, videos, tests, etc.).

How You Will Learn

• Gain valuable knowledge from classroom instruction.
• Get "hands on" experience from laboratory activities.
• Learn practical skills in actual shop environments.

Classes are taught by certified instructors:

• At the NAFTC's Regional Training Centers around the country. Click here to see map.
• At the new National Alternative Fuels Training Laboratory in Morgantown, WV. Click here to view building.
• In customized classes brought to your doorstep, designed to meet your particular needs.

Schedule and Cost

• Current training schedules are updated regularly. Click here for details.

Participant Pricing

• NTC Member's Price: $625.00 US (manual included)
• Non-Member's Price: $725.00 US (manual included)

Instructor Pricing

• NTC Member's Price: $700.00 US (manual included)
• Non-Member's Price: $800.00 US (manual included)

Participant Manual Pricing

• NTC Member's Price: $44.00 US
• Non-Member's Price: $51.00 US

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