What is CNG?
CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is a clean, efficient, alternative fuel created by compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its original volume. Stored at high pressures, CNG is widely used as a substitute for gasoline, diesel, and LPG. Its popularity is growing due to its lower emissions and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional fuels.
Why Choose CNG?
CNG is favoured for several reasons. It’s an environmentally friendly fuel, producing fewer harmful emissions like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. Vehicles running on CNG have reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This makes CNG a better option for both personal and commercial use. It also costs less than gasoline or diesel, helping reduce fuel expenses over time.
Main use of CNG
CNG is used across various industries and sectors. In the automotive industry, it powers passenger cars, buses, and commercial vehicles, making transportation more sustainable. In addition, it’s used in stationary applications like generators and industrial equipment. Environmentally more friendly BIO CNG is a renewable form of CNG, and is becoming more prevalent, further contributing to sustainability efforts.
CNG is transported in CNG pressure vessels such as CNG Tube Trailers, multi element gas containers (MEGC), and MEGC tank containers.
Storing CNG?
CNG is stored in high-pressure containers known as CNG pressure vessels. There are different types of CNG cylinders used for storage, including:
- Type 1 Cylinder: Made entirely of metal and commonly used in industrial applications.
- Type 2 Cylinder: Feature a metal liner reinforced with a composite wrap around the middle section.
- Type 3 cylinder: Use a metal liner (usually aluminium) fully wrapped in a composite material
- Type 4 Cylinder: A composite gas cylinder with a plastic liner wrapped in carbon fibre, known for being lightweight and ideal for vehicles.
In larger volumes, CNG is stored in CNG transport systems like MEGC units or CNG Tube Trailers.
CNG Safety Compared to Other Fuels
CNG is inherently safer than gasoline or diesel. Since it’s lighter than air, CNG dissipates quickly in case of a leak, reducing the risk of fire or explosion. Additionally, compressed natural gas requires a very high temperature to ignite (ignition point, 540°C). This makes accidental ignition far less likely compared to other fuels.
CNG is Good for the Environment
Using CNG significantly reduces the environmental impact of transportation and industrial activities. Vehicles powered by CNG emit fewer pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons. This helps improve air quality and contributes to the reduction of global warming.
Moreover, CNG is a non-toxic fuel, meaning it doesn’t contaminate soil or water in the event of a spill. The use of BIO CNG, which is produced from organic waste, further enhances its environmental benefits, turning waste into a clean, renewable fuel source.
CNG is a versatile, eco-friendly, and safe alternative to traditional fuels. With options like CNG pressure vessels, composite gas cylinders, and MEGC containers, compressed natural gas is easily transported and stored, ensuring reliable supply for vehicles and industrial use. As the world moves towards cleaner energy, compressed natural gas offers a practical solution for reducing both emissions and fuel costs.
To reduce the environmental footprint it is possible to converted a petrol car to a CNG vehicle
If you wish to convert your petrol vehicle into a CNG-based or dual-fuel vehicle, it is possible to do so in authorized shops. Converting a vehicle into a CNG vehicle involves installing CNG cylinder plumbing, a CNG injection system, and some electronics.
The CNG cylinder is usually stored in the trunk of a car, or in case of a truck, the back of the driver cabin or on the sides. When converting your vehicle into a CNG vehicle, you do have to keep in mind that a CNG cylinder can take up space in the trunk. However with factory-built CNG vehicles there is no such problem, as the CNG cylinder and CNG system is built under the body of the vehicle.
CNG cylinders for CNG vehicles can be ordered from Gaznet website. You can find all CNG cylinders with prices here.
To request a quote for the conversion, you can visit our web page for GAZNET workshops.