Module III

NATURAL GAS
Introduction
 Mixture of paraffinic hydrocarbons
 It occurs in gas fields and also in association with crude petroleum
in oil fields
 Found compressed in porous rock and shale formations sealed in
rock strata underground
 Raw gas contains mainly methane plus lesser amounts of ethane,
propane, butane and pentane, negligible sulfur
 Some carbon dioxide and nitrogen are present.
 The only gas occurring in nature
Typical Composition
 Methane – 60 to 90 %
 Ethane - 3 to 30 %
 Propane - 1 to 3%
Properties
 Colourless and odourless gas
 Commercial odorant is added
 Lighter than air with specific
gravity 0.6 to 0.8
 Clean burning fuel
Fuels Characteristics

Natural Gas Diesel Oil

Carbon content [mass %] 73,3 85,9
  Hydrogen content [mass %] 23,9 14,0
  Oxygen content [mass %] 0,4 0,05
  Carbon-to-hydrogen ratio 0,25 - 0.33 0,16
Relative molar mass 17 - 20 ~170
Density at 0 oC and 1,013 bar [kg/m3] ~0,83 840
  Boiling temperature [°C / 1 bar] -162 from 170 to 380
  Autoignition temperature [°C] 540 - 560 320 – 330
  Octane number 120 -130 -
  Cetane number - 52 - 56
  Methane number 69 - 99 -
    Natural Gas Diesel Oil

• Stoichiometric air/fuel ratio [mass] 17.2 14,5

•   Vapour flammability limits [Volume %] 5 - 15 -
•   Flammability limits [lambda] 0,7 – 2,1 0,19 - 0,98
•   Lower heating/calorific value [MJ/kg] 38 - 50 42,6
•   Methane concentration [Volume %] 80 - 99 -
•   Ethane concentration [Volume %] 2,7 – 4.6 -
•   Nitrogen concentration [Volume %] 0,1 - 15 -
•   Carbon dioxide concentration [Volume %] 1 – 5 -
•   Sulphur concentration [ppm, mass] <5 < 50
•   Specific CO2 formation [g/MJ] 38 - 50 72
Onboard Storage of Natural Gas
 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
 Storage pressure – 250 bar
 Cylinder Vessel – Steel, Aluminium, Fiber reinforced aluminium
 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
 Cryogenic state (-161ºC, 1 to 60 bar)
 Maximum volumetric energy density
 Liquefaction process removes certain impurities like water, dust and helium
 It is not explosive
 Cylinder – Double wall
 Inner wall – Nickel steel Exterior wall - Carbon steel
 Space between two walls filled with a pertile( powder insulating material)
 Adsorbent storage (ANG)
 Based on the ability of the materials to assimilate methane gas
 Carbon sorbency – low pressure (12.4 bar)
 Enhanced capability – By chilling the gas
 At high pressure – Simple compression vessel
Advantages of Natural Gas Disadvantages

 Fairly abundant worldwide  Low energy density

 Excellent knock resistance  Low engine volumetric efficiency

 Higher ignition energy requirement
 Its calorific value is identical
 Need of large pressurized fuel tank
to diesel
 Inconsistent fuel properties
 Higher self ignition
 Refuelling is a slow process
temperature than diesel
 Good charge distribution
 Clean burning characteristics
 Non – corrosive
 Non – toxic
 No sulfuric emissions
 No cold starting and warmup
problems
Operation mode in IC engines
 SI engine - Sole fuel mode
 CI engine - a) Dual fuel mode( 30 to 90% displacement)
- b) Converted to SI to burn only Natural Gas
(100% Substitution)
CNG COVERSION KIT( Rs 40,000/)
 CNG cylinder
Tank capacity – 60 litres
Fibre composite reinforcement
 Pressure regulator – From storage pressure to metering pressure
 CNG solenoid valve- at the inlet of the regulator
 Gas mixer or Gas injectors
 Diesel fuel limiter
 Load regulator( Gas valve linked to accelerator pedal)
 Electronic selector switch
 Cylinder valve – Allow the of CNG during refueling & Outflow to
pressure regulator
CNG in SI engines
 Higher compression ratio
 CNG inducted along with air and ignited using spark plug
 No starting problem
 Ignition timing has to be advanced(5 to 10º crank angle)
 High thermal efficiency
 Low brake power(10%) – Displacement of intake air by the fuel
vapour
 Low CO and HC emissions
 Flexible fuel operation
CNG in CI engines
 NG – air mixture induction
 Gas is injected directly into the cylinder
 Superior starting capability under cold weather conditions
Dual Fuel Engine Performance

CATERPILLAR
C-10 DFNG
ENGINE [9]
MATERIAL COMPATIBILITY OF
NATURAL GAS
All prices as applicable at Mumbai