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An Introduction to CNG
Introduction
As we examine new and innovative solutions for customers transportation fuels needs, compressed natural gas, or CNG, is proving to be an exciting and viable option for many fleets across the U.S. Mansfield has been supplying gasoline and diesel for more than fifty years and we know they will continue to be the transportation fuels of choice for many years to come. Its important, however, to study our other options so we may best advise customers on what makes the most sense for their fleets. CNG, it turns out, will work for many customers but not all. So how do we make that decision? The following pages will take you through the basics of natural gas to the infrastructure and equipment involved in a CNG transition. Youll read more about what I call the Big Three of natural gas Supply, Cost and Emissions and how a vast domestic supply, overall cost reduction and lower emissions make natural gas a very attractive option for your transportation fuel needs. I hope this material will start a dialog within your organization on the benefits and challenges of a transition to natural gas. While it is not for everyone, natural gas is providing an exciting opportunity for those of us who strive to deliver the most cost-effective and efficient solutions to our customers.
Domestic Supply
As energy supply issues fill the daily headlines, more and more people are examining natural gas as a viable option for their transportation fuel needs. 98% of the natural gas consumed in the U.S. comes from North America. Known as Americas Fuel, natural gas provides greater energy security and independence from foreign markets. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimated in its 2010 Annual Energy Outlook that there are 2,119 Trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of recoverable natural gas resources in the U.S. This report echoed the findings of the Potential Gas Committee which reported in 2009 that the country has at least a 100-year supply of natural gas utilizing the technology we have now.
Fuel As Energy:
1 Therm of Natural Gas = 100,000 BTUs 1 Therm of Natural Gas = 100 SCF 140 SCF Nat Gas = 1 Diesel Gallon Equivalent (DGE) 125 SCF Nat Gas = 1 Gasoline Gallon Equivalent (GGE)
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Emissions
Vehicles that utilize CNG produce significantly lower emissions than many traditional fuels. As we mentioned earlier, natural gas is comprised primarily of methane, a single-carbon molecule. More complex molecules contain numerous carbon molecules and release higher levels of harmful emissions. Meanwhile, the combustion of natural gas releases only small amounts of carbon monoxide and other complex hydrocarbons. Some consumers have concerns around the methane contained in CNG. However, numerous studies by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Gas Research Institute (GTI) have concluded that the reduction in emissions from elevated natural gas use would dramatically outweigh any negative effects of methane.
Source: http://www.eia.gov/pub/oil_gas/natural_gas/analysis_publications/ngpipeline/compressorMap.html
Infrastructure/Pipelines
As mentioned previously, millions of miles of natural gas pipeline run throughout the United States. There are numerous steps, however, to deliver the end product to customers. A smaller, low-pressure pipeline system initially takes raw natural gas from the wellhead to a processing plant or into a larger pipeline. At the processing facility, any impurities will be removed from the natural gas before it enters the main distribution network. This network of high-pressure pipelines transports gas from production areas to market areas using compressor stations that are strategically located along the pipeline. While the majority of natural gas pipelines we use today were constructed during the 1950s and 1960s, construction of new pipelines and infrastructure boomed in the first decade of the twenty-first century, making natural gas even more accessible and readily available for commercial and industrial use.
Fueling Options
There are several onsite and offsite fueling options for commercial and retail applications. CNG is typically dispensed in a fast fill, time fill or combination station. Time fill is the most common fueling option for CNG. Gas is dispensed unattended into a vehicles onboard storage tanks over a defined period of time. This is the most cost effective option for fleets as the fueling stations are easily expandable as your fleet grows. There are some drawbacks, however, to a time fill option. It is only ideal for fleets that return to a central lot and sit idle overnight or for an extended period of time. This option would not be suited for public refueling.
The second option is referred to as fast fill. Fast fill stations are similar to traditional liquid fueling stations and would be needed for any locations that offer public access. The fast fill station draws from a storage tank onsite that has been filled by a compressor. Fueling time is approximately three to ten minutes and dispenser speed would be similar to a gasoline or diesel fill. This option is preferred by larger fleets but will be more costly than a time fill station.
Fueling Options
Some fleets opt for a combination of limited fast fill and time fill on site. This option offers flexibility to fleets that need an occasional top off or want the ability to provide public access. Inside/outside gate options, a consortium for cardlocks and retail/cardlock options are also available. So how do you choose whats right for you? Here are a few things to consider when making the switch to natural gas: What is your fleet fueling pattern? Do all of your vehicles fuel at the same time of day, or at different times of day? How close will your fueling station be to your business? How much time and money will be spent going off site to refuel? What is your available electrical supply? Is the fuel system access to be public, private, or both? What type of CNG vehicles will you have?
Answering these simple questions will help determine what model of CNG fueling is right for your fleet.
Equipment
The CNG fueling infrastructure will be one of the two biggest capital costs along with fleet conversions, therefore it is critically important to understand and install a CNG fueling system that matches your specific operational requirements. The following is a list of major system components and associated project-specific design variables that are paramount when designing your system.
* Storage Vessel
* Meter
PLC (control panel ) Domeload & sequencing Panels Time Fill / Fast Fill Dispensers
* PLC
The combination of equipment installation and design variables must be considered when evaluating which CNG system is best for your specific site. Attention to detail up front will assure your system meets your fleet requirements in the most cost effective way. Most systems should be designed with dual compressors (duplex) to minimize the operational run time of each compressor and to create redundancy which would minimize down time.
Design Variables:
Nat gas supply availability Nat gas inlet pressure and flow Distance from inlet meter to CNG station Fueling window requirements Total gallons (DGE or GGE) required per day
Fuel System access to be public, private or both Fuel dispensing to be Time Fill, Fast Fill or both Available electrical supply Permitting and regulatory requirements
Initial number of CNG vehicles to be fueled Long term number of CNG vehicles to be fueled Type of CNG vehicle Average gallons of fuel consumed per day per vehicle
In addition to capital expense as a funding mechanism, there are a variety of other options such as finance via a fuel adder, leasing and third party owner operating arrangements. We also encourage you to consider participating in a co-op model with other fleet operators to minimize up front infrastructure costs.
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Document Sources
California Energy Commission http://www.consumerenergycenter.org Clean Vehicle Education Foundation http://cleanvehicle.org CNG Now http://www.cngnow.com Natural Gas Supply Association http://naturalgas.org Natural Gas Vehicles for America http://www.ngvc.org U.S. Energy Information Administration http://www.eia.gov
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The Mansfield Gas Equipment Systems team has more than thirteen years of experience providing products and services for customers spanning the government, transit, industrial, and school transportation sectors. Our innovative solutions and services will continue to solve the infrastructure challenges that customers face in adopting CNG systems. When pairing our experience and service with Mansfields unmatched national network of fuel supply, the resulting solution allows customers to easily consider CNG as a realistic option to meet their fueling needs at any location across the country.
www.mansfieldgasequipment.com