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Compressed Natural Gas - CNG
www.CompressedNaturalGas.net

What is Compressed Natural Gas?

Compressed Natural Gas, also referred to as "CNG" is natural gas (methane or CH4) that has been compressed by a gas compressor, into a high-pressure tank for use in NGV's - "Natural Gas Vehicles."

What is Biomethane?

Biomethane is the "renewable natural gas" made from organic sources - which starts out as "biogas" but then is cleaned up in a process called "Biogas to Biomethane" which removes the impurities in biogas such as carbon dioxide, siloxanes and hydrogen sulfides (H2S).

Biomethane is soon to be re-classified from the category of "Low Carbon Fuels" to "Super Low Carbon Fuel" due to it being the greenest of all biofuels!

"Cleaned-up" and ready for use as "pipeline quality gas," Biomethane can be sold to a natural gas pipeline company and replacing the (fossil fuel) "natural gas" that is typically transported to markets via the vast underground pipeline system.

Biomethane has the capability to replace about 40% of the fossil fuel "methane" that is sold by natural gas utility companies.

Biomethane has an unlimited supply, whereas the methane sold by gas companies has a limited supply. Biomethane is renewable, whereas the methane sold by your gas utility company is not renewable. Biomethane and biogas recovery, use and production generates "Greentags" or a "Renewable Energy Credit" for the owners and is GOOD for our environment.

Biomethane is "naturally" produced from organic materials as they decay. 

Sources of Biomethane include; landfills, POTW's/Wastewaster Treatment Systems, and every tree or agricultural product that is no longer living. Biomethane is also generated from animal operations where manure can be collected and the Biomethane is generated from anaerobic digesters where the manure and other organic wastes decompose.

Biomethane, after installation of the Biomethane equipment is essentially free, as opposed to buying natural gas, presently costing around $10.00/mmbtu.

Methanogenesis is the production of CH4 and CO2 by biological processes that are carried out by methanogens.

Unlike the price of natural gas, which has been very unstable, and wildly fluctuating from $5.50 to as much as $17.00/mmbtu in past years, Biomethane prices will tend to be more stable over the years.

 
What is Liquefied Natural Gas?

Liquefied Natural Gas, or LNG, is natural gas (methane or CH4) that is cooled to - 260 degrees F.  (below zero).  At this temperature, natural gas turns into a liquid (liquefied natural gas) making it very economical to ship large amounts of energy in a relatively small space.  

When natural gas has been liquefied, the natural gas that was once a "gas" now takes up to 600 times LESS as a liquid, as when it was in its previous gas state.

Because Liquefied Natural Gas is still natural gas, its carbon emissions as well much lower as compared to other fossil fuels, such as coal, diesel or oil.   

Liquefied Natural Gas is colorless, odorless, colorless, non-corrosive and non-toxic. It weighs less than half the equivalent amount that water does. 

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Compressed Natural Gas - CNG
www.CompressedNaturalGas.net

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Compressed Natural Gas - CNG www.CompressedNaturalGas.net

Compressed natural gas is widely available throughout the U.S. from domestically produced natural gas wells and natural gas pipelines and local distribution companies. Natural gas is available to end-users through the utility infrastructure. It is also clean burning and produces significantly fewer harmful emissions than reformulated gasoline or diesel when used in natural gas vehicles.  In addition, commercially available medium- and heavy-duty natural gas engines have demonstrated over 90% reductions of carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter and more than 50% reduction in nitrogen oxides (NOx) relative to commercial diesel engines. Natural gas can either be stored onboard a vehicle as compressed natural gas (CNG) at 3,000 or 3,600 psi or as liquefied natural gas (LNG) at typically 20-150 psi. Natural gas can also be blended with hydrogen.  Compressed Natural Gas and  Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles What Types of Vehicles Run on Compressed Natural Gas? According to the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition (NGVC), as of 2005 there are 130,000 light- and heavy-duty compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles in the United States and 5 million worldwide. Dedicated natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are designed to run only on natural gas; bi-fuel NGVs have two separate fueling systems that enable the vehicle to use either natural gas or a conventional fuel (gasoline or diesel). In general, dedicated NGVs demonstrate better performance and have lower emissions than bi-fuel vehicles because their engines are optimized to run on natural gas. In addition, the vehicle does not have to carry two types of fuel, thereby increasing cargo capacity and reducing weight. There are a few light-duty NGVs still available, but if you want a specific type of vehicle, you may want to consider retrofitting a vehicle to an NGV by using an aftermarket conversion system. Heavy-duty NGVs are also available as trucks, buses, and shuttles. Approximately one of every five new transit buses in the United States is powered by natural gas.  As a new twist, tests are being conducted using natural gas vehicles that are fueled with a blend of compressed natural gas and hydrogen.  Vehicle Availability This model year, auto manufacturers are producing fewer models than in years past. In order to get more vehicle options, you may choose to retrofit your own vehicle.  Fuel Availability CNG fueling stations are located in most major cities and in many rural areas. Public LNG stations are limited and used mostly by fleets and heavy-duty trucks. LNG is available through suppliers of cryogenic liquids.  Vehicle Safety Natural gas vehicles are just as safe as today's conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles. They use pressurized tanks, which have been designed to withstand severe impact, high external temperatures, and environmental exposure. Adequate training is required to operate and maintain natural gas vehicles because they are different than gasoline or diesel vehicles. Training and certification of service technicians is required.  Vehicle Costs In general, a natural gas vehicle can be less expensive to operate than a comparable conventionally fueled vehicle depending on natural gas prices. Natural gas can cost less than gasoline and diesel (per energy equivalent gallon); however, local utility rates can vary. Purchase prices for natural gas vehicles are somewhat higher than for similar conventional vehicles. The auto manufacturers' typical price premium for a light-duty CNG vehicle can be $1,500 to $6,000, and for heavy-duty trucks and buses it is in the range of $30,000 to $50,000. Federal and other incentives can help defray some of the increase in vehicle acquisition costs. In addition, fleets may need to purchase service and diagnostic equipment if access to commercial CNG/LNG vehicle maintenance facilities is not available.  Retrofitting a conventional vehicle so it can run on CNG may cost $2,000 to $4,000 per vehicle. Maintenance Considerations High-pressure tanks that hold CNG require periodic inspection and certification by a licensed inspector.  Fleets doing on-site maintenance may need to upgrade their facilities to accomodate NGVs. Costs for upgrading maintenance facilities will depend on the number of modifications required. Some natural gas vehicle manufacturers now recommend oil changes at intervals twice as long as similar gasoline or diesel models (10,000-12,000 miles). Refer to the vehicle owner's manual or consult the manufacturer to determine proper maintenance intervals. Benefits Compared with vehicles fueled by conventional diesel and gasoline, NGVs can produce significantly lower amounts of harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and toxic and carcinogenic pollutants. NGVs can also reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas. For details, see the following publications from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: The cost of a gasoline-gallon equivalent of CNG can be favorable compared to that of gasoline, but varies depending on local natural gas prices.  Natural gas is mostly domestically produced. In 2004, net imports of natural gas was approximately 15% of the total used, with almost all the imports coming from Canada. Some natural gas vehicle owners report service lives 2 to 3 years longer than gasoline or diesel vehicles and extended time between required maintenance. Performance Vehicle range for CNG and LNG vehicles generally is less than that of comparable gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles because of the lower energy content of natural gas. Extra storage tanks can increase range, but the additional weight may displace some payload capacity. NGV horsepower, acceleration, and cruise speed are comparable with those of an equivalent conventionally fueled vehicle. Depending on the number of cylinders and their locations, some payload capacity may be compromised with NGVs. Bi-fuel NGVs offer a driving range similar to that of gasoline vehicles.

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Compressed Natural Gas - CNG

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