Compressed natural gas (CNG) made more noise this month with advances in fueling technology, engines and the transit system in Phoenix, AZ, while AGL Resources liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation fuel marketing expanded into Florida.

Southern California-based SVF Flow Controls reported Thursday that it completed testing of its six-valve manifold for fast-flow CNG dispensing technology. The new CNG fueling unit reportedly exceeds by four times the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)-52 ratings for comparable fueling equipment.

SVF said the new manifold includes fully automated valves and piping connections for specific types of storage systems, filters and hoses. The company is also developing a one-inch, three-valve manifold to satisfy a specific client’s application. The new technology is said to be more reliable and lower cost.

Separately, Cummins Westport said production of its ISB6, 7G dedicated-natural gas engines will be limited next year and won’t get into full production until 2016. It is an NGV version of Cummins ISB diesel engine that provides 260 hp.

The 7-liter engine is designed for medium trucks, school buses, sweepers and yard tractors, and is aimed at improving fuel savings by 5-10% over the Cummins Westport 5.9-liter engine. In addition to California and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards, the engine is designed to meet 2017 greenhouse gas standards.

Company engineers said Cummins Westport is working to get a common set of components in all of its 6-, 7-, 9- and 12-liter engines.

Meanwhile, the public transit company in Phoenix has begun deploying 120 new CNG buses it obtained from New Flyer last year. The first of the NGV buses were 280-hp Cummins Westport ISL G engines. The 40-foot transit buses are part of a $61 million project that also involves the replacement of LNG-fueled Valley Metro buses with CNG equipment.

Atlanta-based AGL Resources’ Pivotal LNG announced that it has signed an agreement with United Parcel Service (UPS) to supply LNG to a new fueling facility in Jacksonville, FL, that will fuel UPS fleet vehicles along with other fleets. That LNG fueling station, the first in the state, opened last week (see Daily GPI, Jan 15).

The UPS Florida deal marks the company’s first contract in the state, covering 10 years and 500,000 gallons of LNG monthly, according to Pivotal LNG’s fuel/storage president Steve Cittadine, who noted that the AGL company has access to five LNG production facilities in the region.