Natural Gas and Liquefied Gas have become two “clean” alternatives to gasoline and diesel. With these fuels, which they can use both new and old vehicles Through a simple conversion, it is possible to obtain the DGT’s ECO environmental label, with which to access the cities that throughout 2023 will have to implement the new low emission zones (ZBE).
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a gaseous fuel of fossil origin not derived from petroleum. Its chemical composition is fundamentally based on methane, CH4, a hydrocarbon with a high hydrogen index (H/C ratio). generating less carbon dioxide per unit of energy produced during combustion with respect to other heavier hydrocarbons.
The CNG is obtained from oil fields or from independent deposits and its composition and characteristics vary depending on the deposit from which it is extracted, but the physicochemical properties are practically similar. It has a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of -161 ºC, so at room temperature it is in the gas phase. Hence, the need to store it at high pressures, normally between 200 and 250 bar for its use as fuel in vehicles. The relative density of CNG is less than that of air, so in case of leaks, its tendency is to accumulate in the upper parts.
As for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), it is a fuel of fossil origin that is generally found dissolved in oil. Therefore, is obtained during oil refining and as a by-product in catalytic fractional distillation (FCC) units. The chemical composition of LPG consists of at least 20% propane (C3H8) and a maximum of 80% butane (C4H10) according to the specifications contained in RD 61/2006 for the use of LPG in the automotive industry. LPG condensation temperatures are higher than CNG so it is less expensive to liquefy this gas compared to CNG.
As explained to this newspaper by the fuel expert Francisco Sanz, the relative density of LPG is higher than that of air, at atmospheric pressure, so in the event of a leak it will tend to be stored in the lower parts of the site. Regarding the calorific value of CNG and LPG, that of CNG is about 50,200 kcal/kg while that of LPG is 46,000 kcal/kg. Therefore, lower powers are obtained with LPG compared to CNG.
How to pass a gas car
Although not every vehicle can be converted to gas, the process is very simple and with a price of around 1,600 euros. First of all, it should be known that not every vehicle can be converted to gas. Spanish legislation limits this transformation to petrol models with Euro3 and later homologationthat is, those that were sold from 2001.
Like hybrid cars, LPG and CNG powered cars have a second tank, currently only used on gasoline engines. We can choose to buy it already prepared or adapt our vehicle through an LPG KIT -tank, gas injectors and nozzle- in an authorized workshop, since the ITV must later grant the approval.
Keep in mind that a car powered by LPG or CNG is a traditional gasoline vehicle, which thanks to a second tank where the LPG is stored, allows us to choose at any time What drive system do we want to use? But what happens if one of the two runs out? Well, the control system will simply issue a warning and make the change automatically without noticing anything.
On the AOGLP website it is possible to find all these “Distributors” and, within each of them, their network of authorized workshops. The main advantage of these Alternative fuels is its extensive refueling network and its technology. There are already more than 600 service stations with AutoGas pumps, which makes it possible to cross the country from end to end only with LPG. On the CNG side, there are currently more than seventy, although they are in full expansion.
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