Dharmattan Gas and Power Ltd., has investigated a comparison between propane LPG and compressed natural gas (CNG) for use in Nigeria. The company’s conclusions are summarized below:
Automotive propane gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) are two alternative fuels that can power vehicles with lower emissions and lower fuel costs than gasoline or diesel. However, there are some differences between them that can affect the total cost of ownership and operation, as described below.
- Initial cost of the vehicle and fuel infrastructure.
Automotive propane gas vehicles are usually cheaper to purchase and convert than CNG vehicles, and can use existing gas tanks and fuel lines with minor modifications. CNG vehicles require more expensive fuel tanks and lines that can withstand high pressure, and may require additional engine modifications. Propane gas stations are also more readily available and cheaper to install than CNG stations, which require compressors and storage tanks.
- Fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.
Auto propane gas has a higher energy density than CNG, which means it can deliver more power and range per unit of fuel. Propane gas vehicles also perform similarly to gasoline vehicles, while CNG vehicles may experience a slight loss in power and acceleration. However, CNG has a lower carbon content than auto propane gas, which means it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions per mile.
- Maintenance and safety of the vehicle and the power system.
Propane gas and CNG are cleaner fuels than gasoline or diesel, which means they can reduce engine wear and tear and extend the life of your vehicle.
Propane gas and CNG are cleaner fuels than gasoline or diesel, which means they can reduce engine wear and tear and extend the life of your vehicle.
CONVERSION KITS
The main technical aspect of the proposed conversion is to note that there are two types of conversion kits, namely the VENTURI kit and the SEQUENTIAL kit.
Differences between venturi kit and sequential kit for CNG and propane conversion
LIST OF CONVERSION EQUIPMENT
- tank
- stuffing
- Injectors
- valves
- Hoses and pipes
- mixer
- converter
Manual or ECU fuel selector switch
CNG CONVERSION PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM
PROPANE (AUTOGAS) PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM
VEHICLE CONVERSION COSTS
OPLIM EQUIPMENT AND INSTALLATION COSTS
ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE OF ENERGY
Gasoline Gallon Equivalent (GGE)
It is a unit of measurement used to compare the energy content of alternative fuels with that of a gallon of gasoline. It represents the amount of energy contained in a fuel that is equivalent to the energy contained in a gallon of gasoline.
1GGE = 1 gallon = 125,000 BTU
CONCLUSIONS
Developing a single CNG service station costs approximately 6 times the cost of a single autogas propane (LPG) station Converting a gasoline/diesel vehicle to CNG costs 1.3 times the cost of conversion to propane gas (LPG) LPG filling infrastructure currently exists at many petrol stations for the sale of cooking gas, unlike CNG filling infrastructure which currently only exists in a handful of locations worldwide the country.
Co-location of LPG filling infrastructure with existing gas stations is already widely practiced, making its adoption for vehicle fueling relatively smooth.
The price of CNG per unit of energy is slightly higher than the current price of gasoline, the price of propane is higher, while the price of gasoline is expected to be higher after the removal of the subsidy, assuming a similar price to diesel of N700/litre.
