Compressed Natural Gas

There is a strong network of natural gas production in the global economy and unlike much of the petroleum production, natural gas is not created in politically unstable countries and natural gas can be a renewable resource making it an excellent alternative for tradition fuel sources. Compressed natural gas is a viable option for cars of the future as it gives a greater viability to fuel cell cars and can have a considerable positive impact on the environment and public health.

Compressed Natural Gas and Fuel Cell Cars

Many researchers feel that fuel cell cars powered by hydrogen will be the future of transportation and natural gas is a way to facilitate this dramatic shift. One of the greatest challenges with the development of fuel cells is a means to gather the necessary hydrogen to power the cells. Natural gas has the highest hydrogen-to-carbon ratio of all energy sources making it an efficient means of hydrogen. A large natural gas network already exists making compressed natural gas readily available as a potentially convenient fuel for future transportation.

Hydrogen-Natural Gas Blends (HCNG)

Currently vehicles fueled by hydrogen-natural gas blends (HCNG) are the initial step in moving to a hydrogen-based transportation system. Currently, compressed natural gas has some obstacles to overcome including fuel storage and how to fuel vehicles adequately to become easy for the public to accept and use. The research and infrastructure in compressed natural gas can help guide researchers toward more viable solutions for compressed natural gas cars and HCNG cars in the very near future.

Driving Compressed Natural Gas Cars

Natural gas is a much cleaner fuel than the standard fuels like diesel and petrol. When burned, compressed natural gas produces far fewer harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxides, particles and pollutants. Greenhouse gas carbon dioxide is significantly reduced as well. To be effective in an engine, natural gas must be compressed at high pressures or liquefied. Compressed natural gas, CNG, can be stored at up to 3,600 pounds per square inch aboard a vehicle. The compressed natural gas car gets the same fuel economy as a standard petrol-fueled car, but the engine burns far cleaner.

CNG is a popular fuel choice in many countries and is growing in popularity in others. Some car manufacturers are already creating vehicles that are fueled by CNG, and conversion kits are available as well to give drivers the option of using compressed natural gas as a fuel. Of all the alternative fuels most often discussed, compressed natural gas is among the least expensive making it more affordable for drivers as well.