Natural Gas - Green Transport
Countries across the world have started using CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) as an alternative to regulars like petrol and diesel. Areas where the implementation was done in a more regulated manner, this fuel alternative is close to becoming mainstream while at other locations, it is expected to behave like an alternative for a long time. Thailand and Italy were one of the first countries to make them publically available and deserve special mention.No doubt natural gas is a way to travel green. But is it really the right option? Before giving them such high prominence, it is only fair to weigh their pros and cons.
Pros of CNG:
1) Natural gas is present in abundant across the globe and readily available. Extraction of the same is not as complicated as petrol. Because it is available in abundance, dependency on Middle East countries would reduce significantly. Because it is gas, pumping it out is easier. America, being a huge country, is sure to meet most of its demands indigenously while countries of Europe would still prefer to opt for the close by Middle East countries.
2) CNG is cleaner and hence more environmental friendly than petrol or diesel. This can be understood from the fact that they dissipate lesser amounts of toxic while burning thus reducing the overall impacts on the environment. Greenhouse gases are emitted in a very limited quantity, a reason why the EPA rates them so highly. Tests suggest that CO2 levels reduce to as much as 1/5th and NOx reduces by 2/3rd.
3) The process of converting a conventional engine into a CNG powered engine is not complicated and can be undertaken with ease. This comes as great advantage as the citizens would not have to buy a new car but can get the one they own converted. The parts required are easily available and any experienced mechanic would not take more than 1 day to get the work completed.
4) Next come costs. CNG is much cheaper and hence more affordable for several reasons. Taxes applicable on natural gas are way less than those applicable on gasoline. This effectively means that per mile cost reduces drastically.
Cons of CNG:
1) Natural gas has a very low energy density. This means that in order for a CNG to perform as well as a gasoline car, it has to have a tank of approximately 3 times bigger. It is because of this reason that it is available as compressed natural gas and not just natural gas.
2) Because space is a constraint for any vehicle, most often than not, the vehicles cannot have that big a fuel tank. Hence, the owners would require refilling more often due to the shorter range. Having a bigger tank is not an option because bigger they are, the more heavy they would be, thus putting additional pressure on the engine.
3) Storing natural gas on any gas pump is not easy. The station has to ensure at all times that there are no leaks and the flow rate is controlled. Usually, it takes more time to fill a CNG tank compared to a gasoline tank of same size.
CNG shows high potential in terms of facilitating green transport, but significant improvements still need to be done before it can be called as the next generation fuel.