LNG/LPG AS FUEL FOR VEHICLES AND GENERATORS
The gas the mechanic in the shared post is using is LPG( liquefied petroleum gas) which contains propane or butane or a mixture of both. LPG has some long term economical advantages over petrol for vehicles, and generators, as it produces less carbon emissions, though it is a bit more expensive than petrol but engines will run for longer periods on LPG than petrol making it more cost effective, but petrol has safety advantages as there is reduced risk of self ignition, leakage and explosion. In respect to the video, petrol is the better option except the vehicle or generator is designed to run on LPG or the conversion kit design is certified to be safe for long term use. A better alternative to LPG for application in vehicles and generators is LNG.​
​​​​LNG (Liquefied natural gas) is a natural fossil fuel that is produced naturally, it contains methane with some mixture of ethane, that has been cooled down to liquid form for ease and safety of non-pressurized storage or transport. It takes up about 1/600th the volume of natural gas in the gaseous state (at standard conditions for temperature and pressure). CNG (Compressed natural gas is Natural Gas that has been heated and pressurised. In vehicle applications, the main advantage that LNG has over CNG is that it is more dense. For two tanks of the same size, the LNG tank will allow a vehicle to drive further than the CNG tank. This makes LNG an interesting option for heavy trucks traveling long distances.
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of LNG over petrol and LPG
1. Lower carbon emissions:Â Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel and will significantly reduce carbon emissions.
2. Reduced air pollution:Â Natural gas produces less emmisions during production and combustion which is beneficial for the health of plants and animals and even the earth(Global warming).
3. Cost efficient: Vehicles Powered by Natural gas are able to run for more miles per gallon of natural gas than conventional vehicle fuels making it more cost-effective, also natural gas is cheaper and more stable than other fossil fuels..
4. Easy domestic supply: Natural gas can easily be supplied as it is produced, processed and transported locally.
5. Longer engine life and efficiency: Since natural gas produces less carbon, it allows vehicle lubricating oil to last longer leading to a longer vehicle engine life. vehicles also enjoy better combustion efficiency and engine compression delivering better engine performance than petroleum vehicles.
6. Safety: Natural gas poses less flammability risk during an accident as it is lighter than air and quickly dissipates unlike petroleum or other liquid fuels which can quickly be ignited.
Disadvantages
One of the two disadvantages I see with Natural gas as compared to petrol and LNG is easy leakage through the supply pipe lines and Gas tanks. Pipe lines and tanks infrastructures have to be properly checked and maintained to avoid leakages even though gas dissipates faster. Secondly is that Natural gas is odourless, which makes it difficult to detect leakage unless a mercaptan is added to it. Gas utility companies and professionals should add mercaptans to natural gas to easily detect leakage.
Comparison between LPG and LNG.
1. The cost of LPG and LNG is volatile but LPG is more cost-effective as it does not require any infrastructure for connection and storage unlike LNG which is more suitable for larger industries.
2. LPG is also more energy efficient than LNG meaning engines will run for longer periods on LPG than LNG.
3.LNG is the safer fuel as it is lighter than air and dissipates quicker.
4.LNG is the cleanest fossil fuel and has lower combustion emmisions making it cleaner than LPG.
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