Q: What is the difference between LNG and CNG?
A: In its natural state, natural gas is normally a gaseous, lighter-than-air substance - not a liquid. It is stored by being compressed to 3600psi (CNG) or liquefied at -260° F (LNG).
Q: IS CNG SAFE?
A: Absolutely! Compressed natural gas is stored onboard vehicles in tanks that meet stringent safety requirements.
The fuel storage cylinders used in CNG vehicles are much stronger than gasoline fuel tanks. The design of natural gas cylinders is subjected to a number of federally required "severe abuse" tests, such as heat and pressure extremes, gunfire, collisions and fires.
Natural gas fuel systems are "sealed," which prevents spills or evaporative losses. Even if a leak were to occur in a fuel system, the natural gas would dissipate up into the atmosphere. It’s unlike gasoline, which in the event of a leak or accident, pools on the ground, creating a fire hazard.
Natural gas has a high ignition temperature, about 1,200° Fahrenheit, compared with about 600° Fahrenheit for gasoline. It also has a narrow range of flammability, that is, in concentrations in air below about 5% and above about 15%, natural gas will not burn. The high ignition temperature and limited flammability range make accidental ignition or combustion of natural gas unlikely.
Natural gas is not toxic or corrosive and will not contaminate ground water.
Source: NGV America
Q: WHERE AND HOW CAN I FUEL MY CNG VEHICLE?
A: Before you convert your vehicle to run on natural gas – or purchase a used CNG vehicle – be sure to investigate your fueling options. While there are more than 1,000 CNG fueling locations in the U.S., many (about half) are not open to the public. Instead, they are restricted to use only by fleet operators (referred to as private access stations). Others allow public refueling only after an account and “charge” card account have been established (referred to as limited public access), while still others allow public fueling with convenient credit card and/or proprietary billing card access (referred to as full public access).
Many of these existing CNG stations were originally installed by natural gas utilities and, thus, are in “clusters” associated with their service territories. Some gas utilities left the market, either closing their stations or selling them to a small cadre of independent retail CNG fuel companies that have built upon these networks and added new stations. The most comprehensive lists of CNG stations are available from the following web sites:
U.S. Department of Energy
California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
Clean Car Maps (California, Nevada, Arizona)
It is always a good idea to contact the station prior to your trip to make sure that the information on the station lists noted above is accurate and current. This is especially true if you plan to make a trip that is out of your local area network and where only a very limited infrastructure is in place.
Of course, if your home has access to natural gas lines, you can now refuel overnight at home.
Source: NGV America
Q: CAN I FUEL MY CNG VEHICLE AT HOME?
A: If you do have access to natural gas lines, you may elect to purchase and install a fueling device at your home.
Currently, the only home fueling devices available are from FuelMaker Corporation.
Overnight Refueling
The FuelMaker device called the Phill® was introduced in limited areas of the country several years ago, and has since been gradually offered in more markets as demand and service/supply/installer networks have been established. The Phill is a small home compression/dispensing unit that dispenses about 0.42GGE per hour. It is also a time-fill device, but it has been engineered to be smaller (about the size of a pay telephone box) and installed inside your garage with proper safety-relief venting to the outside. The Phill is priced at approximately $4,500 plus installation, but this device is available only in very limited areas at this time.
Fast-Fill Capability
Another option is the FuelMaker “Q” series vehicle refueling appliance (VRA), the least expensive of which is referred to as the “small Q.” It compresses and dispenses about 0.9 gasoline-gallon-equivalent (GGE) per hour. This is a “time-fill” fueling device that has no storage other than the storage onboard your vehicle. Gas from the same supply lines that feed your house’s appliances (furnace, water heater, stove, etc.) is compressed and stored onboard your vehicle by a device about the size of an air-conditioning unit that is installed outdoors, usually adjacent to your garage. Fueling is accomplished overnight or whenever your vehicle is idle and available to attach to the VRA’s supply hose. It is possible to purchase storage and fast-fill dispensing capability from FuelMaker (which provides much more fueling capacity), but this option is not designed for, nor is it cost-effective for most homeowners. A “small Q” with time-fill capability costs about $9,875 + installation. Visit FuelMaker’s website for FMQ dealer contacts by state.
Even in states like California where the Phill installation/service network is in place, NGVAmerica suggests that you contact your local gas company FIRST to make sure that adequate gas supplies and service are available. Visit the Phill portion of FuelMaker’s web site to find out if this device is available in your area and, if so, who is qualified to
install it.
Home CNG refueling devices qualify for a federal tax incentive of $1,000 and may qualify for additional state tax incentives or grant subsidies. More information about the available federal tax incentive is available here. [http://www.ngvc.org/pdfs/FederalInfrastruct.pdf] For information about potential state tax incentives and/or grant subsidies for your home refueling installation, contact your appropriate state authority.
Source: NGVAmerica
Q: WHERE CAN I GET A CONVERSION KIT FOR MY CAR?
A: For certified conversion companies, please refer to NGVAmerica.
Q: WHAT TAX INCENTIVES ARE AVAILABLE TO CONVERT A VEHICLE?
A: Incentives vary state by state for the conversion of a vehicle to run on CNG. For more information, click here. There are also incentives in place for the purchase of a home refueling unit.
Q: HOW CAN I GET INFORMATION ON BECOMING A CNG RETAILER?
A: For those wanting to offer retail CNG, visit the NGVAmerica Business Directory.