Converting vehicles to natural gas fuel
According to the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center, natural gas powers about 150,000 vehicles in the United States and roughly 15.2 million vehicles worldwide. Natural gas is considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
The advantages of natural gas as a transportation fuel include its domestic availability, widespread distribution infrastructure (through existing and planned transmission pipelines), low cost and inherently clean-burning qualities. The horsepower, acceleration, and cruise speed of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are comparable with those of equivalent conventionally fueled vehicles.
Also, compared with conventional diesel and gasoline vehicles, NGVs produce emissions benefits. The president of a conversion kit company told me that fleet operators are anecdotally reporting 38 percent greater fuel mileage and 50 percent reduction in vehicle maintenance costs as a result of converting their class 8 trucks to compressed natural gas (CNG).
There are many heavy-duty natural gas vehicles 鈥� as well as a growing number of light-duty NGVs 鈥� available from original equipment manufacturers. Qualified system retrofitters can also economically, safely, and reliably convert many vehicles for natural gas operation.
The number and variety of factory-ready compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and conversion-eligible CNG vehicles is increasing. While many large fleets are beginning to convert their large diesel powered trucks (class 8 vehicles) to natural gas, the majority of light and medium duty CNG vehicles in operation around the U.S. today can also convert their vehicles to accept natural gas from a conversion process or retrofit performed by qualified installers utilizing certified after-market kits manufactured by a variety of reputable companies across the nation.
Conventional wisdom dictates that natural gas vehicles (NGVs), which can run on compressed natural gas (CNG), are good choices for high-mileage, centrally fueled fleets that operate within a limited area. For vehicles needing to travel long distances, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a good choice. However, as the fueling infrastructure expands throughout the country, it is more likely that compressed natural gas will become the preferred fuel over LNG due to cost savings, improvements to dispensing systems, and CNG availability through the virtual pipeline (discussed in last month蘑菇视频 column.)
There are three types of natural gas vehicles: Dedicated, Bi-fuel and Dual-fuel.
Dedicated vehicles are designed to run only on natural gas.
Bi-fuel vehicles have two separate fueling systems that enable them to run on either natural gas or gasoline. There is no application of bi-fuel for diesel engines. Bi-fuel systems are also called 鈥渟witchable鈥� systems because you can switch between gasoline and CNG. Most conversions for light duty trucks (new or used) are bi-fuel because they give the user the best of both worlds. You can run on CNG as long as you have fuel in the tank and switch over to gasoline if you run out.
Most modern bi-fuel systems are fully automated, switching to gasoline when they need to and then automatically switching back once the CNG tank is filled.
Bi-fuel vehicles come equipped with two fuel gauges and a switch to move from CNG to gasoline if the driver desires. Taxi cabs, ambulances, police cruisers or your automobile are likely candidates for bi-fuel conversions.
Dual-fuel vehicles are traditionally limited to heavy-duty applications, such as class 7 or 8 trucks.
The vehicle operates primarily using natural gas but uses diesel for ignition assistance or increased torque. A great advantage of dual-fuel is if you run out of natural gas, the vehicle can still run on 100 percent diesel. The vehicle retains its factory installed diesel tanks, and CNG cylinders are added during the conversion.
Depending on load, a dual fuel system uses on average up to 60 percent CNG. This is a great choice for existing fleet customers that need range and fuel flexibility and do not want to go through the expense of replacing vehicles that have hundreds of thousands of miles remaining in their life.
CNG conversion kits must meet stringent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and/or California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements. Different states have different requirements on vehicle emissions, so please check whether your state follows EPA or CARB guidelines before purchasing or converting your vehicle.
David Pearl is vice president of Infinity Resource Group, Inc., a professional mineral rights consulting firm, specializing in the leasing and sale of mineral rights in PA, WV and OH. He is also managing director of a natural gas fuel dispensing patent holding company and director of a natural gas fuel island development company. Your questions are welcomed by calling 412-535-9200 or by emailing IRGOilGas@gmail.com.