Ariel Compressors To Power Two Miami CNG Stations

as received a 10-year, more than US$330 million contract to build two public-access compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling stations for the Miami-Dade Transit in southern Florida.

Each station, which can support 250 CNG-powered buses, will use three Ariel electric-driven, multi-stage reciprocating compressors. The 600 to 700 hp (447 to 522 kW) compressors will be arranged on three skids with space for a fourth.

Each station will be capable of dispensing up to 10,000 cfm (283 m³/min). Based on the contract, the stations, the only ones in the Miami-Dade county, are required to dispense a minimum of 20% renewal natural gas.

The contract also calls for Trillium CNG to provide 300 CNG buses for the county’s public transportation system throughout this year and 2018. Trillium has contracted with New Flyer of America Inc., a subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc., to provide the buses, which will be New Flyer’s 40 ft. (12.2 m) Xcelsior CNG buses. More CNG buses may be added in the future, according to Trillium CNG.

Trillium CNG will also be responsible for CNG-related updates to existing transit infrastructure, as well as new fueling buildings, bus washes, and a 10-year operation and maintenance pact, according to Love’s.

The stations are set to open in 2018. Construction of the first station, 3300 N.W. 32nd Ave., is to start and finish this year and open in early 2018. The second CNG station, 2775 S.W. 74th Ave, is to open in the summer of 2018.