CNG vs LNG vs H-CNG & S-CNG Fuels

 Compressed Natural Gas CNG

Compressed natural gas CNG is one of the alternatives fuels to run vehicles. It considers the safest fuel as it does not have any negative impact on the environment. It was discovered in the early 1800s, it is mainly used as a fuel for vehicles. It is also used fa or source of energy for heating,  electricity generation and industrial purpose. It is typically compressed to the pressure ranging from 200 to 250 kg/cm² in the gaseous state. CNG has stored onboard vehicles in a compressed gaseous state at a pressure of up to 3600 pounds per square inch (psi).

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) comprising of components methane (CH4) is 96.1 %, Ethane (C2H6) 2.50%, Propane (C3H8) 0.40%, Butane (C4H10) 0.14%, Pentane (C5H12) 0.01%, Nitrogen (N2) 0.59% and carbon dioxide (CO2) 0.15%. CNG ( Compressed Natural Gas ) has a calorific value of 35 to 40 mi/m³.It is a form of natural gas and its production cost is less as compared to other gas or fuel.

Due to the major per cent of methane of CNG, it is highly inflammable. The methane to less than 1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure the density of CNG is less when compared to that air. It is not liquid fuel and is not the same as  LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) which consists of propane and butane in liquid form.

Now, the car is not a luxury it became necessary for day to to day life. We all know electric vehicles (EV) is the future of a green and clean environment in India. Until and unless Electric vehicles (EV) not become affordable for all. There are only a few options to run the vehicles for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and hybrid vehicles. 

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has slowly replaced most of the petrol-diesel buyers looking up alternative fuel to run vehicles, especially in light commercial and passenger car segments. CNG is a cleaner and safer fuel as compared to petrol and diesel in these less impacting environments. CNG is cheaper and more efficient. It is an odourless, colourless, non-toxic and non-corrosive gas. In Some metropolitan cities, Delhi and Mumbai have over 10,500 CNG cars/taxis using public transport on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Now a day is rapidly set up in CNG fuel stations in other smaller cities.

SCNG Technology by Maruti Suzuki 

Many car makers offering company fitted CNG kits, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata, cars they offered to company fitted CNG kits with bi-fuel engine two fuel are stored in separate tanks and the engine runs on one fuel at a time. Maruti Suzuki introduced S-CNG technology factory-fitted CNG. Maruti Suzuki S-CNG vehicles are equipped with dual interdependent ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and an intelligent injection system. Vehicles are tuned and calibrated to deliver optimum performance and enhanced drivability across all kinds of terrains and hilly road conditions. Said Maruti Suzuki resources.

CNG powered engine is more fuel-efficient than one litre of petrol that is 15 to 20 % more mileage than one litre of petrol-powered. CNG powered engine the extension life of lubricating oils as the fuel does not contaminate and dilute the crankcase so that results in less chance to blow-by gases. CNG has a high octane rating that provides a high compression ratio and is adaptable to modern engines. The combustion of CNG produces less nitrogen oxide (NOx), Carbon monoxide(CO), and  Hydrocarbon (HC). emit from the CNG powered engines. overall this type of gas can help in reducing pollution as it is clean-burning fuel as compared to diesel fuel. CNG has less hazardous and cost-effective and eco-friendly than petrol & diesel engines.

 The drawback of CNG is not yet infrastructure means CNG gas station setup build-up in smaller cities. It long queues at gas stations. Filling gas takes quite an uncertainty of their pressures.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) 

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is the cleanest fossil fuel in its liquid form. The combustion of natural gas does emit soot particle dust, fumes, it generates less Carbo dioxide (CO2), than fuel oil and 45% less than coal. As compared to diesel natural gas fuels represent the following reduction a 30% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) and an 80 % reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) and a 97 %  reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions gas. LNG is odourless, colourless, non-toxic and non-corrosive.LNG fueled used for some heavy-duty vehicle fleets are moving LNG and natural gas to fuel vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 30 - 40% and also gave vehicle maintenance costs. 

In China, America and European countries LNG fueled heavy-duty trucks has been booming in the last few years mainly helped by countries green laws. India already LNG fuel using heavy trucks. The country first LNG facility plant has been set up by Baidyanath Ayra Vehicle Group Jabalpur highway at Nagpur. LNG is the most commonly alternatively available green fuel as compared to diesel fuel, now large cities rapidly set up CNG gas stations.LNG is not only a clean and cost-effective fuel but is also is safe and reliable plus an environment-friendly source of energy.

LNG typically contains more than 90% methane it also contains a small amount of ethane, propane, butane, some heavier alkanes and nitrogen. LNG is produced by purifying natural gas and supercooling it to -260°F/ 160°C to turn a liquid form so that it will occupy 1/600/th of its original volume. It mainly helps to ease storage and transportation. This is process is called liquefaction.  During the process of liquefaction, of Natural Gas (NG) to LNG, lots of impurities are eliminated. Hance LNG is the purest form of Natural gas. The natural gas fed into the LNG will be treated to remove water, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and other components that will freeze under low temperatures needed for storage or be destructive liquefaction facility. 

LNG fuel Vs CNG fuel

Liquefied Natural Gas and Compressed Natural Gas it both forms of natural gas. LNG and CNG both are natural gas they are similar but their delivery and storage methods are different. These both become an excellent alternative fuel for bi-fuel engines as compared to diesel fuel.LNG takes up less storage space on a vehicle than CNG. Using proper procedure LNG can convert into the CNG. CNG is easier refuelling to LNG, required special handling equipment for fuel refills. The production cost of CNG  is less than LNG. There is a high cost of transportation storage and logistics of LNG due to the large scale of operation involved.

What is HCNG? And their advantages.

HCNG stand for Hydrogen-enriched Compressed Natural Gas. The HCNG is Compressed Natural Gas only but has been blended 18% of hydrogen with CNG. It is the cleaner and more economical power output of HCNG better than CNG. It ensures 70% and more reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and also reduces unburned Hydrocarbon emissions than CNG. Usually used for public transport vehicles like buses in Delhi.

Hydrogen-enriched Compressed Natural Gas (HCNG) is the best thing about is that it does not require any modifications of the engine or retro fitment, only some calibrations are required in the bus. whatever work is needed will do at the depot.HCNG will reduce carbon emissions by up to 20% in each of the 50 CNG buses. Hydrogen is extracted from in lesser than CNG. It mainly focuses on reduces harmful emissions of gases. Hydrogen spike CNG will be produced using a compact reforming process patented by an Indian oil corporation.m