Natural Gas

Vehicle
INTRODUCTION

Natural Gas

Composition:-
Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas
mixture consisting primarily of methane, with other
hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen
sulfide.

Source:-
Natural gas is found in deep underground natural rock
formations or associated with other hydrocarbon reser-
voirs in coal beds and as methane clathrates. Petroleum is also another
resource found in proximity to and with natural gas.
USES

Power Generation-Natural gas is a major source of electricity
generation through the use of gas turbines and steam turbines
Domestic Use-Natural gas is a powerful domestic cooking and heating
fuel.
Transportation-Natural gas in form of CNG is cleaner automobile fuel
compared to petrol and diesel and LNG is also emerging as an
alternative fuel for automobiles.
Fertilizers-Natural gas is a major feedstock for the production of
ammonia, via the Haber process, for use in fertilizer production.
Aviation-Russian aircraft manufacturer Tupolev is currently running a
development program to produce LNG- and hydrogen-powered aircraft
so it may be fuel for aviation in future.
Hydrogen- Natural gas can be used to produce hydrogen, with one
common method being the hydrogen reformer.
Other-Natural gas is also used in the manufacture of fabrics, glass,
steel, plastics, paint, and other products.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
Stored in onboard tanks under high
pressure
Fuel economy similar to gasoline
1 GGE = 5.7 lb CNG

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Kept at cold temperatures
Stored in double-wall, vacuum-insulated
pressure vessels
Heavy-duty vehicles
1 GGE = 1.5 gal LNG
TYPES OF NATURAL GASES
Equipment for NGV vehicles
The six main component parts fitted to the vehicle
are:
a) The filler connection which incorporates a non
return valve.
b) The NGV storage cylinder together with a
cylinder valve which incorporates a fusible plug.
c) A first stage regulator to reduce the pressure
from 20MPa to approximately 0.7MPa.
d) A vacuum operated NGV fuel lock-off valve
which prevents the flow of NGV fuel when the
engine stops.
e) A second stage regulator which further reduces
the pressure.
f) An air/gas mixer that measures air flow and
meters the flow of gas into the engine.
1. Natural gas is compressed and enters the
vehicle through the natural gas fill
valve (receptacle).
2. It flows into high-pressure cylinders located in
or under the vehicle.
3. In a bi-fuel NGV, a fuel selector on the dash
permits selection of natural gas or gasoline. A
dedicated NGVoperates solely on natural gas.
4. When natural gas is needed by the engine, it
leaves the cylinders and passes through the
master manual shut-off valve.
5. The gas goes through the high-pressure fuel
line and enters the engine compartment.
OPERATION

6. Gas enters the regulator, which reduces pressure from
up to 3,600 psi to near atmospheric pressure.
7. The natural gas solenoid valve allows natural gas to
pass from the regulator into the gas mixer or natural
gasfuel injectors. (Or, it shuts off the natural gas when
the engine is not running or when, in the case of a bi-
fuel vehicle, gasoline is selected).
8. In a bi-fuel NGV, natural gas mixed with air flows down
through the gasoline carburetor or fuel injection system
and enters the engines combustion chambers. In a
dedicated NGV, natural gas is injected into the engines
combustion chamber via specially designed natural gas
fuel injectors.
9. In a bi-fuel NGV, when the driver selects gasoline, the
conventional gasoline system is activated and
the natural gas system is automatically shut off.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
More in abundance than any other fossil fuel Size of storage tanks

3040% less greenhouse gas emissions

Possible weight disadvantage
Less expensive than gasoline Fewer miles on a tank of fuel
Has high heating value of 24,000 Btu per pound.

Limited vehicle availability

Can be safely stored and burned.

Less readily available than gasoline and diesel

Comparison between
fuels-Petrol, Diesel,
Natural gas, LPG and
Electricity

FUEL

PETROL
DIESEL
NATURAL
GAS
LPG

ELECTRI-
CITY
Chemical
Structure
C
4
to C
12
C
8
to C
25
CH
4
(8399%), 2H
6

(113%)
C
3
H
8
(majority) and
C4H10
H
2

Physical
State
Liquid Liquid Compressed Gas Pressurized Liquid Electricity
Reserve
Available
40 years 55 years 60 years 30 years Unlimited
Uses All types of
vehicles
Heavy duty
vehicles
All types of
vehicles.

Cars mainly Cars and scooters
Pollution
level
Most polluting Cleaner than
Petrol
Cleaner than Petrol,
Diesel and LPG
Cleaner than
Petrol and Diesel
Least polluting
Cost Most expensive Cheaper than
Petrol
Comparatively
cheapest
Cheaper than
Petrol and Diesel
Cheapest
Energy
Content
124,340 Btu/gal 137,380 Btu/gal 22453 Btu/lb-CNG
84,820 Btu/gal -
LNG

91,410 Btu/gal

3,414 Btu/kWh
CONCLUSION
After comparing all possible fuels available it can be concluded that Natural gas is
fuel for newer generation and is a better alternate to other fuels like petrol, diesel,
LPG etc. because of following features of natural gas:-

Cheaper than petrol, diesel, LPG and better mileage.
More in abundance than any other fossil fuel.
Natural gas is the lowest carbon fossil fuel. Natural gas emits 22% less carbon
dioxide than oil and 40% less than coal.
Can be used in all vehicles from two vehicles to ships
Natural gas is transportable. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and long distance
pipelines have transformed global gas markets and increased the breadth and depth
of the global gas trade.
Can be safely stored and burned.
Has high heating value of 24,000 Btu per pound.