What is CNG?
In order that natural gas or cleaned Bio Methane can be used by CNG powered vehicles, it is stored under pressure on the vehicle at pressures up to 250 bar (3600 pounds per square inch). CNG cylinders are manufactured to internationally approved standards along with vehicle standards and made from composite materials with the advantage of high strength, low weight and low maintenance. Vehicle range depends on the size of on board storage but is as high as 550 miles for some heavy goods vehicles running on gas.
CNG filling stations (see photo) also have some storage capacity to help ensure that vehicles can be filled quickly. Typically, it takes less to fill a vehicle with CNG than it would with the equivalent amount of diesel'.
What is Natural Gas?
Natural gas is found underground where it was formed millions of years
ago as organic matter. Tremendous pressure from the overlying rock, combined
with the earth's heat, converted the matter into a gaseous fossil fuel.
It collects in tiny holes in underground rock and is trapped under layers
of solid rock. It is an organic compound made up of hydrogen and carbon
and is usually referred to as a hydrocarbon. Methane is the main component
of natural gas, and usually makes up over 90 percent of "pipeline
quality" natural gas. Other hydrocarbons that may be found in small
amounts of natural gas include ethane, propane, and butane. Long recognized
as an excellent fuel when used to generate electricity, heat homes, and
fuel industrial facilities, natural gas is a truly realistic alternative
to conventional petrol and diesel as a road fuel.
