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The Benefits of using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a Motor Fuel
Natural gas use in vehicles is growing dramatically all over the world because of the recognition that it is a cleaner burning fuel than gasoline or diesel (when compared using a fair basis). As just a couple of examples, India, Chile, Canada and the United States are seeing significant growth in the use of CNG for vehicle applications. Within the last couple of years in the United States, CNG has become so popular that one-in-four new mass transit buses is using the fuel.
Similarly to propane, CNG is one of the cleanest alternative fuels. Both tailpipe and life-cycle comparisons show it to be cleaner than gasoline or diesel in most pollutant categories.
Using CNG as a Motor Vehicle Fuel
Natural gas is used in the U.S. as an industrial fuel, as a utility fuel, and in residential applications like hot water heaters, ranges, furnaces, and clothes dryers. Most of the uses are at much lower pressures (15 psi) than required for motor vehicle fuel use which is typically in the 3,000-3,600 psi range (and can be up to 5,000-10,000 psi in some applications). It is because of these high pressures that the components used in the conversion systems must be able to handle the high pressure.
Vehicle manufactures and vehicle conversions in the USA to use CNG as a public motor fuel started in the late 90's. The conversions used many of the same component technology and computer interfacing as the components that were being developed for LPG conversions; computer controlled direct port sequential fuel injection.
Components are manufactured, combined into specific application conversion systems, and submitted to EPA for testing and certification. The systems mimic the OEM systems as closely as possible for optimal performance and reliability, with no loss of power.
Vehicle Conversion to Bi-Fuel CNG by Alternative Fuel Concepts
Alternative Fuel Concepts installs EPA certified bi-fuel CNG conversion systems that utilize advance technology developed to interface directly with sequential fuel injection and on-board computers that are typically found on today's advanced engines. The following is a list of applications currently available for bi-fuel CNG conversions at Alternative Fuel Concepts (more to follow):
| Make |
Year |
Engine |
Models |
| Chevy/GMC |
2000-2006 |
4.3 L |
|
| Chevy/GMC |
2000-2006 |
5.3 L |
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| Chevy/GMC |
2000-2006 |
6.0 L |
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| Chevy/GMC |
2000-2006 |
8.1 L |
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| Ford |
2003-2004 |
|
Crown Victoria |
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