Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

 Source and Composition

CNG is made by compressing natural gas to less than 1 percent of the volume it occupies at standard
atmospheric pressure. CNG's volumetric energy density is estimated to be 42 percent that of liquefied natural gas
(because it is not liquefied), and 25 percent that of diesel fuel.
CNG is comprised mostly of methane gas which, like gasoline, produces engine power when mixed with
air and fed into your engine's combustion chamber. Biomethane – cleaned-up biogas from anaerobic digestion or
landfills – can also be used.
The production facility for CNG is simpler than other remote gas utilization options. It typically consists of
compression, cooling, dehydration, and possibly liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) separation. The extent of
compression and cooling is different for the various CNG processes. The scope of the production facility depends
on the quality of the gas and reservoir pressure, but is a small fraction of that of a comparably sized LNG or GTL
facility.
 Combustion
CNG combustion produces fewer undesirable gases than gasoline, diesel fuel and propane/LPG. When
CNG reaches the combustion chamber, it mixes with air, is ignited by a spark and the and the energy from the
explosion moves the vehicle.
 Application
1. Motor Vehicles
CNG is used in traditional gasoline/internal combustion engine automobiles that have been modified or
in vehicles which were manufactured for CNG use, either alone ('dedicated'), with a segregated gasoline system
to extend range (dual fuel) or in conjunction with another fuel such as diesel (bi-fuel).
Natural gas vehicles are increasingly used in Iran, especially Pakistan, the Asia-Pacific region, Indian capital
of Delhi, and other large cities like Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata—as well as cities such as Lucknow, Kanpur,
etc. Its use is also increasing in South America, Europe and North America because of rising gasoline prices. In
response to high fuel prices and environmental concerns, CNG is starting to be used also in tuk-tuks and pickup
trucks and buses.
2. Locomotives
CNG locomotives are usually diesel locomotives that have been converted to use compressed natural gas
generators instead of diesel generators to generate the electricity that drives the traction motors. Some CNG
locomotives are able to fire their cylinders only when there is a demand for power, which, theoretically, gives
them a higher fuel efficiency than conventional diesel engines.
CNG locomotives are operated by several railroads. The Napa Valley Wine Train successfully retrofit a
diesel locomotive to run on compressed natural gas before 2002. This converted locomotive was upgraded to
utilize a computer controlled fuel injection system in May 2008, and is now the Napa Valley Wine Train's primary
locomotive. Ferrocarril Central Andino in Peru, has run a CNG locomotive on a freight line since 2005.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
Storage/Handling
It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of 20–25 MPa (2,900–3,600 psi), usually in
cylindrical or spherical shapes. At present, the primary packaging options for CNG transportation and storage
applications include pressure vessels Type I, Type II, Type III, and Type IV. The key differentiator for each vessel
type is its load-bearing element and associated material.

Type I. Constructed entirely of metal, Type I is the heaviest of the four vessel types, and has the lowest
initial acquisition cost. As such, its primary applications include stationary ground storage and bulk transportation
in situations where weight is not a restricting criterion.
Type II. Mostly metallic, Type II vessels are somewhat lighter than Type I vessels, and often times referred
to as “hoop-wrapped” pressure vessels. The vessel’s primary applications include high-pressure storage of medical
oxygen for home oxygen therapy and air for firefighters’ self-contained breathing apparatus, as well as CNG for
onboard vehicular fuel systems
Type III. The TYPE III vessel consists of a load bearing metallic liner (typically aluminum alloy) and a fully
wrapped composite shell, and is often referred to as “full-wrap” composite vessel. Type III pressure vessels were
originally developed for aerospace applications, with commercialization as breathing apparatus for firefighters.
Today, in addition to breathing apparatus, they are primarily used for CNG on-vehicle fuel tank applications.
Type IV. The Type IV is generally considered an all-composite vessel and is often referred to as a “full-
wrap composite plastic lined vessel”. TYPE IV vessels have recently made significant inroads in CNG transportation
applications, particularly in South East Asia.

 Advantages and Disadvantages

o Advantages
 Cheaper
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
 Natural Gas (CNG) represents almost a 50% savings over petroleum products such
as gasoline and diesel fuel. Over the last decade, the average cost per gallon of
gasoline in the United States has risen approximately 140%. In 2004, the average
price per gallon of gasoline was $1.50, today the average price is around $3.60, and
the costs are expected to continue to rise.
 According to the US Department of Energy, CNG is a viable choice for many vehicle
operators.
 Reduces maintenance cost
 CNG does not contain lead, so spark plug life is extended because there is no
fouling. CNG does not dilute or contaminate crankcase oil, so intervals between oil
changes and tune-ups are extended. Pipes and mufflers last longer because CNG
do not react to the metals. All of this reduces maintenance costs while extending
the overall life of the engine.
 More environment friendly
 Compressed natural gas (CNG) is the cleanest burning transportation fuel on the
market today. CNG burns cleaner than petroleum-based products because of its
lower carbon content. CNG produces the fewest emissions of all other fuels and
contains significantly less pollutants than gasoline. CNG produces 20-30% fewer
greenhouse gas emissions and 95% fewer tailpipe emissions than petroleum
products. And because CNG fuel systems are completely sealed, CNG vehicles
produce no evaporative emissions.
 Safer
 Compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel storage tanks are stronger and safer than
gasoline or diesel tanks reducing the likelihood of accidental release. If released,
CNG disperses quickly into the air instead of on the ground, reducing the risk of fire
and ground contamination. Plus, CNG gives off little to no emissions during
refueling
o Disadvantages
 Require a greater amount of space for fuel storage than the conventional gasoline
powered vehicles.
 You may need to sacrifice some of the space in the trunk (for cars), truck bed (for
pickup trucks) or behind the back seat (for SUVs). The CNG cylinder can be heavy,
the added weight of the tank is offset by the reduced weight of a gasoline fuel.
 CNG Filling stations have limited availability
 Availability is not as widespread as regular gas stations. Within the city users
probably have a list of stations that fall in their route, but beyond that it is an
uncertainty. This is the reason why cars aren’t made to run exclusively on CNG.
 The performance and range of the vehicle is reduced significantly
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
 On an average CNG users experience a crash of about 10% in performance.
Acceleration is slower so you may have to rev the engine more to get going.
Essentially this is the reason why people believe CNG reduces engine life. The issue
is, drivers expect petrol like performance from CNG and rev more to get it. This
eventually results in more wear and tear.
 Although CNG is a cheaper fuel, the actual range on just CNG is lesser than petrol.
Not to mention, running on a close to empty tank reduces the pressure and
increases the risk of the valves bursting. So, even if the car does use CNG, it is
always wise to keep a regular flow of petrol both in the tank and in the engine
usage.

Sources:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-disadvantage-of-CNG-in-cars-and-why-it-is-not-used-in-every-state
https://petrowiki.org/Compressed_natural_gas_(CNG)
http://www.snam.it/en/Natural-gas/energy-for-the-future-today/compressed-natural-gas/
https://www.cng.co.tt/what-is-cng/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_natural_gas#Advantages
http://cng-one.com/info/benefits.asp