| Compressed Natural Gas
(CNG) has been used as motor fuel since 1939 in gasoline cars.
The Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan introduced
it here only in 1982. Natural gas is liquified at a pressure
of 3600 psig in order to be used as fuel. Simple modifications
convert vehicles running on petrol or diesel to CNG –
the cheaper, more efficient energy option.
Cost of fuel, whether gasoline, HSD or CNG,
has direct bearing on one’s cost of living. Availability
of cheaper alternatives like CNG will allow consumers to spend
less on fuel and more on other needs.
CNG is safe. This makes
CNG inherently safer than petrol, diesel, LPG or any other
carbon based fuel. Features of CNG refueling are as follows:
CNG is lighter than air.
It has a specific gravity of 0.587. Because this fact makes
it lighter than the surrounding air, the gas will rise and
diffuse into the atmosphere in case a leak occurs, averting
disaster.
CNG burns slower than petrol.
The self-ignition temperature for CNG is 700o C as compared
to 455o C for petrol.
CNG storage is safe. Cylinders
are designed and built with special material to withstand
tremendous pressure.
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