CNG Vehicles Research Articles

Innovative automated factory starts to produce composite CNG solutions for one of the most-progressive auto-brands: Automated Filament Winding Production Cell will produce competitive composite CNG tanks

World known composite machine manufacturer, Mikrosam, deliver a fully automated Filament Winding Line for Type IV premium quality CNG vessels. Developed for a leading global automotive supplier Magna, and installed at its plant in Austria, this production cell was designed to manufacture a cost-effective lightweight CNG tank module. Using filament winding technology and application of composite materials, the produced alternative propulsion system would result in reduction of weight of up to 50% compared to equivalent steel cylinders and 40% lower fuel expenses. The CNG vehicle is environment-friendly. This kind of powertrain system will shrink the CO2 emission by 20% to 29%. The CNG module of tanks is predicted to hold a total of 19 kg of gas, allowing the range of over 500 kilometers.

FTP-75, WLTC 시험 모드에서 LPG, CNG 자동차의 배출가스 및 PN 비교

FTP-75, WLTC 시험 모드에서 LPG, CNG 자동차의 배출가스 및 PN 비교

Reactive calcination route for synthesis of active Mn–Co3O4 spinel catalysts for abatement of CO–CH4 emissions from CNG vehicles

The present paper described an exotic route of reactive calcination (RC) of a precursor (basic cobalt–manganese carbonate) for the synthesis of highly active Mn promoted Co3O4 spinel catalyst (Cat-R) for simultaneous oxidation of CO–CH4 emissions from CNG fuelled vehicles. The RC route involved feed of a low concentration of chemically reactive, 4.5% CO–air mixture over the precursor at low temperature in the beginning and finally increased to 400°C. The precursor was also calcined around 400°C following two other methods: (1) conventionally in stagnant air (Cat-S) and, (2) in flowing air (Cat-F). The catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, SEM-EDX, N2-sorption, XPS, TPR, Particle size, and FTIR techniques. The RC produced Mn promoted Co3O4 spinel (Cat-R) with the highest surface area, smallest nano-size crystallites and highly dispersed oxygen deficient structural defect morphology as compared to Cat-F and Cat-S. The Cat-R showed total oxidation of lean CO–CH4 mixture at the lowest temperature (340°C) in comparison to Cat-F (380°C) and Cat-S (420°C). A synergetic effect was observed that the temperature for total oxidation of CH4 in CO–CH4 mixture was 80°C less than when CH4 was oxidized separately over Cat-R. The remarkable activity of Cat-R over other catalysts in simultaneous oxidation of CO–CH4 was associated with the presence of its unusual textural and morphological characteristics. The activity order of the catalysts produced by various calcination strategies for CO–CH4 oxidation was as follows: Cat-R>Cat-F>Cat-S. Thus, RC route can be recommended for synthesis of highly active catalysts over conventional methods for control of CO–CH4 emissions from CNG vehicles.

English

English

Characterization of the Ultrafine and Nano Particle Emissions on Modified Indian Driving Cycle for Passenger Cars Operating on CNG Phase Wise Analysis

The ultrafine and nano particles compared to larger particles are gaining high importance because of their vulnerable effects to environment and human health causing respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, and various types of cancers leading to premature death [1]. WHO report points out that approximately, two thirds of the global burden of disease due to urban outdoor air pollution is mostly from the developing countries in Asia (Cohen et al. 2004)[2]. By number, nearly all of the particles emitted by a diesel engine are nanoparticles which are also true for gasoline engines [3]. This is addressed by new UN Regulations by introducing the emission norms for diesel and GDI vehicles for particle number and PM2.5 as 6 x 10 11 and 4.5 mg/km respectively [4]. However, other S.I. engines like CNG, even though they look clean as there is no visible smoke but emitting large number of particles is necessary to investigate. This research paper focuses on characterization of ultrafine and nano particle emissions from CNG vehicle on Indian driving cycle and it covers experimental Investigation to identify the significance of different operating phases viz. idling, acceleration, deceleration and cruising for their contributions to particle number and size distribution pattern over urban as well as on extra urban part of the cycle. CNG passenger car shows large peak of PN emissions during cold starting phase at the beginning of the test cycle which is almost twice that of diesel vehicle. However, this concentration peak will decrease near to 25% on light operating loads during urban part of the cycle, but during acceleration and cruising operation on extra urban cycle under heavy load the PN emissions from CNG car are higher in magnitude. The particles emitted from CNG buses are too small to contribute to PM10 as they are of ultrafine and nano size range.

Comparative Study of Characterization of the Ultrafine and Nanoparticle Emissions on Modified Indian Driving Cycle for Passenger Cars Operating on Diesel and CNG – Phase Wise Analysis

Today, in the automotive emissions ultrafine and nanoparticles emissions are of very high importance because of their vulnerable effects to environment and human health causing respiratory problems like bronchitis, asthma, cardiovascular disease, and various types of cancers spreading in all age groups in the society leading to premature death [1]. Therefore, characterization of ultrafine and nanoparticles in terms of their size distribution and number concentration for the automobiles operating on various fuels and traffic conditions is of great importance in understanding the phenomenon and the adverse effects. Various research studies carried out at international level show the adverse health effects due to ultrafine particles from C.I. and S.I. engines and hence, there is definite need to examine for the particulate mass, size and number concentration considering social needs [2].Even after very stringent emission norms which were tightened over the years and today down to more than 97% from it’s baseline norms couldn’t show proportionate improvement in the ambient air quality. Climate effects inevitably lead to health effects leading to premature death due to ultrafine particles from the automotive exhaust [1]. Recent WHO report confirmed the vulnerable effect of diesel particles in terms of carcinogenicity and severe health effects of diesel fuel used in automotive sector [3]. European regulations has taken the steps to address this concern by introducing new norms for particle number and PM2.5 as 6 x 1011 and 4.5 mg/km respectively [4]. Investigations carried out on GDI vehicles show substantial ultrafine and nanosize particle emissions and by number, nearly all of the particles emitted by a diesel engine are nanoparticles which are also true for gasoline engines [5]. Like gasoline engines other S.I. engines, even though they look very clean as there is no visible smoke and large particles emitted in their exhaust, it is necessary to investigate them. Very limited research work has been carried out particularly, on CNG engines/ vehicles for their PM and PN levels at national and international level. Characterization of ultrafine and nanoparticles in terms of their size distribution and number concentration for the automobiles operating on various fuels and traffic conditions is of great importance in understanding the phenomenon and their significance.In this context and understanding the social need this research work was carried out to investigate experimentally the significance of CNG and diesel passenger car for it’s contribution to particle number (PN) and PM2.5. This work includes comparative investigation of CNG and diesel passenger cars to characterize the ultrafine and nanoparticle emissions on modified Indian driving cycle. CNG passenger car show large peak of PN emissions during cold starting phase at the beginning of the test cycle which is almost twice that of diesel vehicle but it settles down to lower level as the vehicle gets warmed up. During acceleration and cruising operation on extra urban cycle under heavy load the PN emissions from CNG car are higher in magnitude. For diesel car, urban part of cycle contributes approximately 53% compared to 25% for CNG vehicle and rest 47% and 75% is contributed by extra urban part towards PN emissions.This research paper covers experimental Investigation carried out to compare the behavior of diesel and CNG passenger cars to characterize the particle emissions and to identify the significance of different operating phases viz. idling, acceleration, deceleration and cruising for their contributions to Particle number and size distribution pattern on urban and on extra urban part of the driving cycle.

Particulate Characterization of CNG Fuelled Public Transport Vehicles at Traffic Junctions

ABSTRACTCompressed natural gas (CNG) is considered as cleaner fuel compared to gasoline and has emerged as an important alternate transport fuel in view of its abundant availability globally. CNG has been implemented in mass transport sector globally. This study explores the emission characteristics of two different classes of CNG operated vehicles used for public transportation in Indian Cities. One is a heavy-duty CNG bus and the other one is a light-duty CNG tempo. Both are very popular commuting vehicles in Indian cities. The number of such CNG vehicles is quite large therefore their emissions affect the health of traffic policemen, who are responsible for regulating the traffic during their long duty-hours. They are continuously exposed to harmful regulated and unregulated pollutants from such vehicles. Regulated gaseous emissions and particulate bound polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined for both vehicles at different engine speeds at no load, which simulates typical traffic junction scenario. For the heavy-duty CNG operated bus, particulate number-size distribution and mass-size distributions were also evaluated. Carbon monoxide (CO), Hydrocarbons (HC) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions were found to be higher for the CNG operated bus compared to the CNG tempo. Particle bound PAHs were quite significant for CNG fuelled vehicles however they reduced at higher engine speeds. Particulate number emissions increased with increasing engine speed, especially in the accumulation mode (50–250 nm) for the heavy-duty CNG bus. Despite moderate increase in particle number emissions, particulate mass contributions of the accumulation mode particles increased significantly with increasing engine speed.

직접분사 CNG 연료의 분사특성에 관한 연구

Two types of fuel supply method ar used in CNG vehicles. One is premixed ignition and the other is gas-jet ignition. In premixed ignition, the fuel is introduced with intake air so that homogeneous air-fuel mixture may form. The ignitability of this method depends on the global equivalence ratio. In gas-jet ignition, CNG is introduced directly into the engine combustion chamber. The overall mixture is stratified by retarded fuel injection. In this study, a visualization technique was employed to obtain fundamental properties regarding overall mixture formation of direct injected CNG fuel inside a constant volume chamber. Jet angles, penetrations and projected jet area with respect to ambient pressure are investigated. The penetration decreases apparently and the time reaching the CVC wall was delayed as the chamber pressure increases. This is caused by the higher inertia of the fluid elements that the injected fluid must accelerate and push aside. It is same to liquid fuel such as diesel and gasoline, but this phenomenon is far more prominent for the gaseous fuel.

Safety Assessment for CNG Vehicle Energy Storage-Supply System

According to the some reason of the Catch fire and explosion in the CNG vehicle energy storage-supply system, the fault tree is established which top event is the explosion event, and the importance of each basic event calculated. It is identified that the major safety hazard of CNG vehicle energy storage-supply systems, this is a new scientific method to analysis the safety and reliability of CNG vehicle energy storage-supply system. By the assessment results some preventive measures are taken, it can improve the reliability of the system running.

Design and Implementation of a New CNG Dispenser Control Platform

CNG dispenser is a kind of equipment which can provide CNG fuel filling services for CNG vehicles. This paper presents a novel design of CNG dispenser control platform. The hardware design of the circuit board includes ARM11 core-board and extended board, and the software design is based on the Embedded Linux system, including the development of Linux drivers and applications. The new platform not only has better processing performance in basic functions like filling fuel, but also has excellent scalability such as network support and more humanized operation mode.

Study on Performance and Exhaust Gas Characteristics of Directly Injected CNG Engine

There are two types of fuel supply method in CNG vehicles. One is premixed ignition and the other is gas-jet ignition. In premixed ignition, the fuel is introduced with intake air so that homogeneous air-fuel mixture may form. The ignitability of this method depends on the global equivalence ratio. In gas-jet ignition, CNG is introduced directly into the engine combustion chamber. The overall mixture is stratified by retarded fuel injection. In this study, a visualization technique was employed to obtain fundamental properties regarding overall mixture formation and combustion characteristics of direct injected CNG fuel inside a constant volume chamber and engine. For gas-jet visualization, Schlieren high speed imaging is used with the effects of ambient pressure and impingement wall on mixture formation being investigated.

Modeling and Simulation of a Series Hybrid CNG Vehicle

Modeling and Simulation of a Series Hybrid CNG Vehicle

수소-CNG 혼소연료 차량에서의 메탄 저감을 위한 산화촉매에 관한 연구

수소와 CNG를 혼합한 HCNG는 CNG에 비해 연소효율이 높고 보다 친환경적인 연료로 CNG 엔진의 다음 단계의 엔진으로 각광받고 있으며, 수소시대로의 가교역할을 할 것이라 전망된다. 2014년 EURO-6의 도입으로 CNG 및 HCNG 차량에서 발생되는 메탄가스에 대해서도 규제가 이루어질 전망이다. 본 연구에서는 HCNG 엔진의 배기가스 중 메탄가스를 저감하기 위한 메탄산화촉매를 다루었다. 메탄산화촉매의 장시간 운전에 따른 내구성 및 메탄산화 양상 등에 대해 연구했으며, 이 때 촉매의 화학적인 현상을 분석하기 위해 촉매의 중요한 인자인 귀금속 분산도, 비표면적 변화 등을 촉매 활성과 연계하여 연구하였다. HCNG engine is performed as a future engine because of high combustion efficiency and eco-friendly property, and is predicted to a brdge of hydrogen vehicles. As EURO-6 regulagion is due to be applied in 2014, consolidated regulations of methane gas that is exhausted from CNG and HCNG vehicles will come into effect. In this studies, methane oxidation catalyst is introduced to remove methane gas from HCNG emissions. Methane oxidation efficiency on catalyst was studied when it is driven long time. And characterization like metal dispersion, surface area was performed to investigate the correlation of catalyst efficiency and characteristics.

Conversion of Gasoline Vehicles to CNG Hybrid Vehicles (CNG-Electric Vehicles)

The aim of this study is investigation of the feasibility and advantages of using the natural gas as an alternative to gasoline as a fuel for hybrid electric vehicles. Operating CNG vehicles are really beneficial in the Middle East region considering the fact that gasoline is offered at a heavily subsidized price and therefore, by converting a significant portion of the automobiles to run on CNG, the gasoline internal consumption could be reduced. This in turn will result in more oil being available for export which will be beneficial to the economy of country. Hybrid Vehicles mainly have a CNG engine along with an electric drive. The batteries of Hybrid Vehicles are charged by a CNG engine. The engine size is smaller and emissions may be considerably less in hybrid vehicles relative to typical vehicles since the CNG engine is employed only to recharge the electric batteries. Although CNG-Electric hybrid vehicles are less common than Diesel-Electric hybrids, but they have been tested in several U.S. cities such as Denver and Seattle. CNG-electric hybrids hold huge potential for the future in the fact that they are significantly cleaner sources of energy and are conveniently suited to serve the needs of the current economy and modes of transportation. The use of these alternative sources of fuels requires investment and significant studies need to be made to evaluate their efficiencies and reliability. This study would cover most of these aspects and also explores the use of these technologies with particular reference to Qatar and the Middle East.

Investigating the Impacts of Retrofitted CNG Vehicles on Air Pollutant Emissions in Tehran

The present study was conducted to investigate the impacts of retrofitted CNG vehicles on air pollutant emissions in Tehran over a 20 years period using available statistical data, precise automobile tests, data analysis, and LEAP Software. The obtained results revealed an increase in air pollutant emissions including CO (equal to 1030.77 thousand tons), NO x (equal to 1030.77 thousand tons), THC (269.02 thousand tons) and CO 2 (equal to 38.43 thousand tons) resulting from utilizing retrofitted CNG vehicles within the studied period. Considering the obtained results, if the current trend of producing retrofitted CNG vehicles continues, a total cost of 435 million USD will impose on the environment, annually. According to the emission test results, by implementing retrofitted CNG vehicles policy, a higher emission rate of dual-fuel vehicles will be expected compared to their petrol-fueled counterparts. This is due to poor quality of the policy implementation such the use of substandard conversion kits and old technology of retrofit technologies.

Fuel economy, cost, and greenhouse gas results for alternative fuel vehicles in 2011

This paper presents in-service data collected from over 300 alternative fuel vehicles and over 80 fueling stations to help fleets determine what types of applications and alternative fuels may help them reduce their environmental impacts and fuel costs. The data were compiled in 2011 by over 30 organizations in New York State using a wide variety of commercial vehicle types and technologies. Fuel economy, incremental vehicle purchase cost, fueling station purchase cost, greenhouse gas reductions, and fuel cost savings data clarifies the performance of alternative fuel vehicles and fuel stations. Data were collected from a range of vehicle types, including school buses, delivery trucks, utility vans, street sweepers, snow plows, street pavers, bucket trucks, paratransit vans, and sedans. CNG, hybrid, LPG, and electric vehicles were tracked.

CNG 저장용기의 두부 성형을 위한 열간스피닝 공정에 관한 연구

천연가스 자동차에 장착되는 연료저장용기는 크게 두부, 실린더부 그리고 바닥부로 나뉜다. 실린 더부와 바닥부에 관한 연구는 이미 충분히 수행되었으나, 두부 성형에 관한 연구 및 설계자료는 전무한 실정이며, 현재 현장 작업자들의 경험이나 시행착오에 의해 제작되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 천연가스 저장용기의 두부 성형 공정인 열간스피닝 공정 분석을 위하여 회전체 소성가공에 적합한 ALE method 를 적용하여 유한요소해석을 수행하였다. 성형인자들(이송거리, 성형시간, 소재의 온도, 회전속도)이 성형롤러의 하중 및 두부의 좌굴에 미치는 영향을 분석하고, 이를 토대로 저장용기의 두부성형 가능성을 검토하였다. 또한 성형해석 결과로 제조된 저장용기 두부의 안전성을 평가하기 위하여 파열압력에 대한 용기의 구조해석 및 실험을 수행하였다.

Natural gas as transportation fuel - an offer for mountainous resorts

Summary In this article the current state of development of the market of the CNG vehicles was described. Then, the economic and ecological aspects of using this fuel and the factors of its safe exploitation were characterized. Based on that, in the article were presented the current propositions of activities of the European Union administrative organs, which propagate using these alternative fuels for vehicles, including the natural gas. Finally, the attention was paid to possibilities of using the natural gas as a fuel in vehicles used in mountain and spa resorts.

온도차 변동에 따른 전자밸브 작동모델 실험적 연구

현재 국내의 모든 CNG자동차에는 용기용 밸브로 수동밸브가 부착되어 있으며 가스누출 사고 시 운전자가 차량을 정지하고 수동밸브를 잠궈야 하는 불편한 점이 있어 누출 사고 시에는 운전자 등이 가스누출사고를 대응하는데 어려운 부분이 있다. 유럽의 선진국에서는 가스누출 시 운전자가 시동을 끄면 자동으로 닫히는 구조를 가진 전자밸브의 장착을 의무화 하고 있어 우리나라에서도 기능성이 증가된 전자식 용기밸브를 적용하는 것이 CNG 버스의 안전성을 향상 시킬 수 있는 좋은 기회일 것이다. 본 논문에서는 개개의 전자밸브의 작동상태를 운전자가 파악하기 어려운 구조적인 문제를 보완하기 위해서 충전 중 압력의 상승에 따라서 온도가 상승하는 현상에 착안하여 문제에 접근하였다. 충전 중 온도상승이 압력차에 따라서 약 <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX> 이상이 발생하는 것을 이용하여, 데이터 확인 시 온도상승이 발생하지 않는 용기는 밸브가 작동하지 않아 충전이 이루어지지 않는 것으로 판단할 수 있는 실험적 결론을 얻었다. Currently, all domestic CNG vehicles have manual cylinder valves installed. These are inconvenient for drivers in case of a gas leak accident, because drivers have to stop the vehicle operation and manually close the valve. It makes difficult condition for drivers to quickly and properly respond to such accidents. In advanced European countries, they require Automatic cylinder valve installation, which has a structure where the valve is automatically shut off when the driver turns off the ignition in case of a gas leak. If this electric valve system is introduced in Korea, the safety of CNG buses will be improved with better functionalities. In this paper, in order to solve the structural problem of difficulty for a driver to identify the operational status of individual Automatic cylinder valves, an approach was made regarding temperature increase with pressure increase during CNG filling. it was estimated that the temperature increased approximately more than <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX> due to pressure difference during the filling. Therefore, it was concluded from the experimental data that the valve of the container whose temperature did not increase did not operate, resulting in filling failure.

Study on the Structural Safety Evaluation for Pressure Vessel of the CNG Vehicle Using F.E.M.

CNG vehicles have to be equipped with a safe and reliable storage tank, such as composite pressure vessels, since the failure of the CNG storage tank induces fatal damages to passengers. In this research, the cause of vessel facture is investigated through formal inspection and engineering test procedures. Specifically, the composite pressure vessel design will be validated using the finite element method. In order to validate values of the optimal design variables in accordance with standard of the high pressure gas safety management, we used safety probability such as Von-Mises yield criterion, Tsai-Hill theory and stress ratio.