INTRODUCTION

CNG stands for Compressed Natural Gas with pressure 16-25

bar
Natural gas is generally considered a nonrenewable fossil
fuel.
Raw natural gas is a mixture of different gases.
Composition of Natural Gas :
Methane
CH4
70-90
Ethane

C2H6

0-20%

Propane C3H8
Butane

C4H10

Carbon Dioxide CO2

Oxygen O2

0-0.2%

Nitrogen N2

0-5%

0-8%

Hydrogen sulphide H2S 0-5%

Rare gases
Ar, He, Ne, Xe traces
The main ingredient is methane, a natural compound that
is formed whenever plant and animal matter decays.

EXTRACTION OF CNG

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Octane number
120
Flash point
873 K
Molecular weight
18
Specific heat capacity
2 KJ/Kg-K
Non aggressive and non poisonous
Lighter than air ( relative density=.56)
Colourless and odourless

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CH4 +

2O2

CO2

Calorific value = 49 MJ/Kg

Energy density= 37-40 MJ/m3

2H2O +

HEAT

COMBUSTION OF CNG
RICH COMBUSTION
CH4 + 1.5 O2 CO + 2H2O + CO2 + HC
STOICHIOMETRIC COMBUSTION
CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2H2O
LEAN COMBUSTION
CH4 + 3 O2 CO2 + 2H2O + O2

CALCULATION OF STOICHIOMETRY
AIR FUEL RATIO
Chemical reaction involved in combustion of
CNG(methane):
CH4
+
2O2 =
CO2
+
2H2O
16
64
44
36

It is clear from above reaction that for combustion of

1mole of methane 2moles of oxygen are required:

Oxygen /fuel ratio= 64 4

Since oxygen present16
in air by weight is 23%.
Hence stoichiometric air-fuel ratio =
4
23

100 17.39

SAFETY ASPECTS OF CNG

ADVANTAGES OF CNG
1. Compressed Natural Gas is the most environmentally friendly
fossil fuel.
2. Burning Compressed Natural Gas produces less sulfur, carbon,
and nitrogen than burning other fossil fuels.
3. Compressed Natural gas also emits little ash particulate into the air
when it is burned.
4. Octane number is around 120.
5. High calorific value (~49 MJ/Kg).
6. Particulate emissions are very low relative to diesel fuel.
7. Lower adiabatic flame temperature (~2240K) compared to gasoline
(~2310K) due to its higher product water content, giving lower NO x.
8. It is cheaper than other fuels.

LIMITATIONS
1. Low energy density resulting in low
engine perfomance
2. Low volumetric efficiency
3. More space occupied
4. Need of large pressure storage device
5. Refuelling is the slow process

APPLICATIONS

Automobiles
Electricity generation
Locomotives
Industries