Natural gas is a hydrocarbon mixture of light gases of natural origin. It mainly contains methane, and usually includes varying amounts of other alkanes. Argentina has one of the largest gas reserves. The extracted natural gas is injected into gas pipelines through which it reaches the points of consumption, industries, power plants, homes or service stations, in which it is compressed and then loaded into vehicles.
With extensive experience worldwide in the exploitation and consumption of CNG for vehicular use, Argentina is the third largest Shale Gas reserve in the world, surpassed only by the USA and China, with reserves for more than 500 years. The number of vehicles that currently circulate in the country with CNG is estimated at 1,643,000.
With extensive experience worldwide in the exploitation and consumption of CNG for vehicular use, Argentina is the third largest Shale Gas reserve in the world, surpassed only by the USA and China, with reserves for more than 500 years. The number of vehicles that currently circulate in the country with CNG is estimated at 1,643,000.
The natural gas extracted from the deposits is subjected to a cleaning and purification process and then injected into the gas pipelines that transport it to its place of consumption, unlike liquid fuels that need to subject the oil extracted from the deposits to processes of refining to then be transported by trucks to the points of consumption.
So we find that natural gas has a lower price than oil, that the natural gas cleaning process is cheaper than the refining process of liquid fuels and that the transportation of natural gas through pipelines is considerably less costly than transportation. of liquids by trucks, these components allow CNG to be 50 and 70% cheaper than gasoline / gasoline.
So we find that natural gas has a lower price than oil, that the natural gas cleaning process is cheaper than the refining process of liquid fuels and that the transportation of natural gas through pipelines is considerably less costly than transportation. of liquids by trucks, these components allow CNG to be 50 and 70% cheaper than gasoline / gasoline.
In order to calculate the fuel savings generated by the use of CNG, it is necessary to know that, although the calorific value of gas is 15% greater than that of gasoline / gasoline, vehicles converted to CNG travel with one m3 of gas the same distance that they would do with a liter of gasoline / gasoline. In this sense, the savings are derived directly from the differential value between the retail price of both fuels.
To measure savings, you only have to know the differential between the price of CNG and that of gasoline / gasoline in the area, in this way and if we consider that in CABA the average price of CNG is $ 20 and that of gasoline / Super gasoline is $ 55, the use of CNG as fuel represents a saving of $ 35 for each liter of gasoline / gasoline. In this way, a car that travels 10 km for each liter of gasoline / gasoline, would have a saving of $ 3.5 for each km traveled on CNG. From this analysis, the measurement of savings emerges simple, a round trip to Mar del Plata represents a saving of $ 2,800, to Cordoba $ 5,600.
To measure savings, you only have to know the differential between the price of CNG and that of gasoline / gasoline in the area, in this way and if we consider that in CABA the average price of CNG is $ 20 and that of gasoline / Super gasoline is $ 55, the use of CNG as fuel represents a saving of $ 35 for each liter of gasoline / gasoline. In this way, a car that travels 10 km for each liter of gasoline / gasoline, would have a saving of $ 3.5 for each km traveled on CNG. From this analysis, the measurement of savings emerges simple, a round trip to Mar del Plata represents a saving of $ 2,800, to Cordoba $ 5,600.
The Argentine CNG industry has a wide variety of products of different qualities, before deciding which equipment to install and in which workshop to convert your vehicle it is important that you take into account some recommendations that can make your vehicle work efficiently and safe, maximizing your profit.
The Equipment Assembly Workshops have an authorization to function granted by ENARGAS, the list of authorized Assembly Workshops can be consulted on the ENARGAS WEB page: https://www.enargas.gob.ar/secciones/gas-natural-comprimido/sujetos.php.
When choosing a CNG equipment it is important to take into account:
The Equipment Assembly Workshops have an authorization to function granted by ENARGAS, the list of authorized Assembly Workshops can be consulted on the ENARGAS WEB page: https://www.enargas.gob.ar/secciones/gas-natural-comprimido/sujetos.php.
When choosing a CNG equipment it is important to take into account:
- That the equipment and cylinder are new.
- That its main components are duly homologated and certified, for this said components must be duly marked with the corresponding homologation codes.
Natural gas is the alternative fuel that has the cleanest burning. Emissions from CNG powered vehicles are much lower than those from gasoline powered vehicles. Reducing carbon monoxide emissions by 70%, non-methane hydrocarbons by 89%, nitrogen oxides by 87% and particulate matter emissions by 100%.
Vehicles that run on natural gas are safer than those that run on traditional fuels such as gasoline. There are two fundamental reasons for the excellent safety levels of CNG Vehicles: the structural integrity of the fuel system of CNG Vehicles and the physical characteristics of natural gas as a fuel.
The fuel systems of CNG Vehicles are "sealed", which prevents any spillage or evaporative losses. Even if a leak occurs in a fuel system of a CNG vehicle, natural gas will dissipate into the atmosphere because it is lighter than air.
Natural gas is not toxic or corrosive and will not pollute groundwater. Burning natural gas does not produce significant amounts of aldehydes or other airborne toxins, which are a concern with gasoline and some other alternative fuels.
The natural gas supply system also has an excellent - and proven - safety record.
CNG Vehicles use the same energy that has heated homes and cooked food safely and comfortably for more than 100 years around the world.
The fuel systems of CNG Vehicles are "sealed", which prevents any spillage or evaporative losses. Even if a leak occurs in a fuel system of a CNG vehicle, natural gas will dissipate into the atmosphere because it is lighter than air.
Natural gas is not toxic or corrosive and will not pollute groundwater. Burning natural gas does not produce significant amounts of aldehydes or other airborne toxins, which are a concern with gasoline and some other alternative fuels.
The natural gas supply system also has an excellent - and proven - safety record.
CNG Vehicles use the same energy that has heated homes and cooked food safely and comfortably for more than 100 years around the world.
Current systems are gas sequential injection systems, unlike previous CNG equipment, these inject the fuel directly into the intake manifold copying the operation of the original fuel.
The main advantages are:
The main advantages are:
- 1. It is a system that does not alter the original performance of the vehicle in the original fuel.
- 2. Even in the worst possible conditions, these systems have the absence of counter-explosions.
- 3. Total absence of working emulations, it is a system that works in real time.
Correct maintenance of the vehicle will give us greater satisfaction in using the CNG equipment.
One of the main control points is the ignition system, comprised of Coil, Cables and Spark Plugs. The control and replacement times are those stipulated by the automotive manufacturer.
It is important not to forget that the vehicle works on two fuels, so we must use it in both, in this way we will avoid dryness and obstructions in hoses.
Regarding the CNG equipment, maintenance consists of changing the Gas Filter every 20,000 km, checking and cleaning the equipment injection ramp every 40,000 km, checking and cleaning the Gas Regulator every two years and the renewal of the wafer charge enabler once a year.
One of the main control points is the ignition system, comprised of Coil, Cables and Spark Plugs. The control and replacement times are those stipulated by the automotive manufacturer.
It is important not to forget that the vehicle works on two fuels, so we must use it in both, in this way we will avoid dryness and obstructions in hoses.
Regarding the CNG equipment, maintenance consists of changing the Gas Filter every 20,000 km, checking and cleaning the equipment injection ramp every 40,000 km, checking and cleaning the Gas Regulator every two years and the renewal of the wafer charge enabler once a year.
1m3 of CNG is equivalent to 1L of gasoline
The cylinders are measured in hydraulic liters, a 40 liter cylinder will theoretically be equivalent to 10 m3 of CNG and 10 liters of gasoline.
The cylinders are measured in hydraulic liters, a 40 liter cylinder will theoretically be equivalent to 10 m3 of CNG and 10 liters of gasoline.
It is not necessary but the ideal is to evaluate each case. The rear seat is sized to carry at least two people weighing up to 100 kilos. A 21L cylinder weighs 26Kg and an 80L cylinder weighs 79Kg.
Also in vehicles where the cylinders are under chassis, the regulatory clearance must be taken into account and depending on the case it may be necessary to reinforce the suspension so that the vehicle remains within the regulations.
Also in vehicles where the cylinders are under chassis, the regulatory clearance must be taken into account and depending on the case it may be necessary to reinforce the suspension so that the vehicle remains within the regulations.
CNG is a gas, like any other, it suffers from variations in temperature and pressure, which most affect the automotive sector are changes in density.
When we load CNG, several variables intervene that affect the total m3 of gas that enters the cylinder, ambient temperature, cylinder temperature, atmospheric pressure, the pressure at the gas station pump, etc.
When loading begins, the gas is compressed inside the cylinder, this causes the temperature of the cylinder to increase, until it reaches the pressure of the jet (theoretically 200 Bar) and this cut.
When we load CNG, several variables intervene that affect the total m3 of gas that enters the cylinder, ambient temperature, cylinder temperature, atmospheric pressure, the pressure at the gas station pump, etc.
When loading begins, the gas is compressed inside the cylinder, this causes the temperature of the cylinder to increase, until it reaches the pressure of the jet (theoretically 200 Bar) and this cut.
TA already have the technology developed to convert vehicles that have the Direct Injection system, progress is made step by step on each model to make the adaptation and programming of each of the engines.
Control Summary
Thread Control, with Smooth and Threaded Plug Gauges and Visual Inspection.
Exterior Cleaning by Shot Blasting.
External Visual Inspection, observing possible defects, polishing suspicious areas to verify.
Ovalized measurement.
Thickness measurement, with an ultrasound equipment.
Detection of cracks in the dark room, with a system of magnetic particles.
Interior Cleaning by Hydro Wash at high temperature.
Mass Control.
Hydraulic test, pressurizing the cylinder to the test pressure, measuring the deformation of the material.
Hot Air Drying.
Interior Inspection.
Marking Coined.
Painting with booth.
Cylinder Valve Inspection.
Thread Control, with Smooth and Threaded Plug Gauges and Visual Inspection.
Exterior Cleaning by Shot Blasting.
External Visual Inspection, observing possible defects, polishing suspicious areas to verify.
Ovalized measurement.
Thickness measurement, with an ultrasound equipment.
Detection of cracks in the dark room, with a system of magnetic particles.
Interior Cleaning by Hydro Wash at high temperature.
Mass Control.
Hydraulic test, pressurizing the cylinder to the test pressure, measuring the deformation of the material.
Hot Air Drying.
Interior Inspection.
Marking Coined.
Painting with booth.
Cylinder Valve Inspection.
A CNG cylinder is made of high-strength steel, heat-treated and with a considerable wall thickness, since it must withstand high pressures, 200 Bar. During 5 years, the cylinder goes through many loading and unloading cycles, it can also suffer external alterations and it must be subjected to controls according to the NAG-444 standard.
For this reason, every 5 years the cylinder must be dismantled from the vehicle in an authorized Assembly Workshop and taken to an authorized CRPC, where specialists in the field will carry out a series of tests and controls, determining if it is capable of being rehabilitated by a new period, ensuring proper operation.
It is the obligation of the workshop to carry out the following control tasks.
Verify that there are no leaks in the installation of the CNG equipment.
Check that the vehicle data and numbering of the CNG installation products correspond with the ENARGAS information.
Vent bag in perfect condition (non-electric valves).
Existence of 2 vents to the outside well secured.
Support and visual condition of the crib.
Sound vehicle floor that allows a good anchoring of the crib.
High pressure pipe in good condition and without rose marks.
Pipe must have an anti-vibration system at its ends.
Pipes must be correctly fastened to fixed elements of the car.
The valves must be homologated.
The valves must properly shut off the gas supply.
The external charging valve must be above the bumper line.
Pressure indicator manometer in perfect working order.
Verify that there are no leaks in the installation of the CNG equipment.
Check that the vehicle data and numbering of the CNG installation products correspond with the ENARGAS information.
Vent bag in perfect condition (non-electric valves).
Existence of 2 vents to the outside well secured.
Support and visual condition of the crib.
Sound vehicle floor that allows a good anchoring of the crib.
High pressure pipe in good condition and without rose marks.
Pipe must have an anti-vibration system at its ends.
Pipes must be correctly fastened to fixed elements of the car.
The valves must be homologated.
The valves must properly shut off the gas supply.
The external charging valve must be above the bumper line.
Pressure indicator manometer in perfect working order.
To renew the wafer of your CNG equipment you need to bring the vehicle, green card, CNG card, ID of the person who will carry out the procedure (It is not necessary to be the owner of the vehicle).