I nt e r n at i o n al L P G & C NG & L NG m agaz i n e

Prins vs. BRC

However, the noise level of the pump are from 20% to 30% higher than those
unit in the gas tank was problematic: In in gasoline mode. In terms of design,
order to start the engine directly with there were no differences between the
gas instead of expensive gasoline, the systems of the two manufacturers. The

Comparative test drive of LPG systems

pump is activated early upon opening increased consumption resulted from
the doors. The driver hears it with a soft the fact that in the cold start phase, in

for direct injection engines

whirring. When the vehicle is stopped, which the engine gets a higher amount
the unit continues to operate a little of fuel, gas was used instead of gasoline.
while to prepare the fuel system for
the next startup. The noise was barely When considering the development
noticeable in the vehicle, outside the levels of both manufacturers, the
BRC engine:
T he new generation of LPG systems that inject the LPG fuel in liquid form directly into the combustion
chamber of the modern direct-injection engines are the future of gas drives. The leaders of this
vehicle a little louder noise could be
heard from the Prins pump.
conclusion is more than surprising:
the DI systems of Prins as well as those Perfect installation of the first BRC LDI system in an vehicle
approved in Germany. You can see the high pressure pump and the
technology, which take the best possible advantage of the special properties of LPG fuel, are currently of BRC are absolutely apt for OEM
BRC and a Dutch manufacturer - Prins. When you examine the cause, it production. Evidently, the developers fuel selection unit (FSU).
Both of them strive to gain a foothold in the OEM sector with their systems, which are called DLM may soon be found, however, that have done their homework.
(Direct LiquiMax) at Prins and LDI (Direct Liquid Injection) at BRC. Prins wrapped the tank with a sound- And the retrofitters? Of course those
We wanted to know how good the new gas systems really are and drove for their readers two almost insulating synthetic fiber, while BRC who have internalized the principle of
identical Hyundais iX 35 with the 1.6-liter GDI engines. One of them was equipped with the Prins solution, relies on solid, multilayer firm foam, the new generation of gas equipment,
the other one with LDI system developed by BRC. To make it short, both designs surprised the editors. which obviously served better its can perform the conversion easily.
purpose. Upon request, however, Prins This requires, however, scrupulous and
promised to give more attention to the accurate work. Then a DLM or LDI can
noise reduction in the future. be installed within just six hours by two
So far, the direct-injection engines were actually “tortured” during the operation experienced technicians.
with LPG: the gas systems inject the gas into the intake manifold, and therefore When driving, both systems had An experienced retrofitter said
the benefits in terms of fuel consumption and emissions, which are offered by to highlight their advantages in an after installation of Prins DLM system:
a normal DI engine at least in the lower load range, could be utilized only partially. open way. Both Prins and BRC showed “By adhering to the specifications, BRC tank:
If you use the engine’s components to fill the combustion chamber with LPG absolutely convincing performance. the system is easier to install than Good solution: the tank of the BRC version is insulated with thick
instead of gasoline, the alternative fuel can use its advantages in a better way. To begin with, both vehicles were a traditional gas system with manifold foam. As a result, no sounds penetrate to the outside.
doing what they were supposed to: injection”.
This was also evident in Hyundai iX35 with Prins system: Despite initial start immediately on LPG. One who However, one thing is clear for
skepticism, the car ran better on LPG than on gasoline. Smoother engine refuelled the car with LPG in due time, manufacturers of LPG systems: DI
running gave impression of better elasticity and harmony of the LPG operation. can theoretically weld the gasoline systems should be held only in the
Nevertheless, old reservations were not pushed completely aside: The notorious tank. The expensive fuel will stay then hands of specially trained companies.
formation of vapor bubbles occurred even in the pre-production DI gas systems where it belongs: in the tank. And what about the choice of end user?
from all manufacturers when the vehicle was parked with the hot engine and The choice between Prins or BRC, as
when one tried to start it again immediately. Then in the fuel lines vapor bubbles After warming up, both vehicles the Hyundai comparative test showed,
were often produced which prevented the restart. offer an excellent drive. Even longer is rather a matter of faith.
distances with the maximum speeds Wolfgang Kröger
Besides, at high temperature outside Hyundai with the Prins system needed passed without a murmur. The
slightly longer startup time, about one to two more turns of the starter to resume consumption values in gas operation
Prins engine:
engine‘s work. But it was only noticed when someone pursued every startup
While BRC housed the additional booster pump in the tank, Prins
carefully with a stopwatch. A revision of the booster pump, however, says Prins
installed the pump in the engine compartment. On the right you
should solve this problem. As Prins DI systems are now sold in Turkey, Australia,
can see the high pressure pump.
Korea and America and there are no complaints, one can believe this statement.

It seems that in Italy, maybe due to the summer heat, this deficiency also occurs
on the track. The Hyundai with BRC system started immediately even at 30
degrees outside and without any delay. Faults were not absolutely provoked even
on short distances with constant switching off the engine. At high heat the BRC
system acknowledged its stoic calm and serenity. After a turn of the switching key
the engine started immediately.

Even on longer distances at full Both gas systems have nothing

speed the iX 35 with the Prins to do at the gasoline station: fuel
system revealed no weak points. consumption differences are hardly
Prins tank:
noticeable. The tank version of Prins should accept additional noise insulation.

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