Technology and market assessment of gas-fueled vehicles in New York State. Volume II. Technology and economic assessment. Final report

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:6124001

Volume II deals primarily with the technology and economics of vehicle conversion, refueling equipment design, etc., for using gaseous fuels in transportation vehicles. Other issues explored include safety considerations, vehicle exhaust emissions when using gaseous fuels, sensitivity analyses of the economic parameters of fleet vehicle conversions, identification of the best fleets for conversion, new developments in gaseous fuel storage and compressor design plus research and development needs. The basics of vehicle conversion and refueling station design are explained in detail for compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and liquefied petroleum gases or propane (LPG). CNG is typically stored at 2,400 pounds per square inch (psi) in the vehicle while LNG is stored in cryogenic storage tanks at low pressure (60 psi or less). LPG pressure during storage can range as high as 200 psi. The advantages of operation using gaseous fuels include good cold starting characteristics, few engine deposits, improved vehicle energy consumption, and favorable exhaust emissions. Disadvantages include reduced vehicle performance, limited range on gaseous fuel (CNG only), and possibly reduced vehicle payload and cargo-carrying volume. The economic incentive for vehicle conversion to gaseous fuels is a direct consequence of these fuels' lower cost relative to current liquid hydrocarbon fuels. The safety of GFVs was explored using documented in-service records and analyses of state and national accident files. The exhaust emissions of GFVs are generally low in carbon monoxide; total unburned hydrocarbons generally are higher. Based on the technology and economic data considered, the fleets best suited to gaseous fuel conversion were determined. School bus fleets emerged as the best-suited fleets for conversion based on annual fuel use and vehicle operational characteristics. 60 figs., 36 tabs.

• Research Organization: Mueller Associates, Inc., Baltimore, MD (USA); E:F Technology, Inc., St. Johns, MI (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6124001
• Report Number(s): NYSERDA-83-15-Vol.2; ON: TI86900551
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330800* -- Emission Control-- Alternative Fuels
ACCIDENTS
ALKANES
AUTOMOBILES
AVAILABILITY
COMPRESSED GASES
COMPRESSORS
CONVERSION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXHAUST GASES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUEL-AIR RATIO
FUELS
GAS COMPRESSORS
GAS FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
LIQUEFIED GASES
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES
LIQUIDS
MODIFICATIONS
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PROPANE
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
SENSITIVITY
SPECIFICATIONS
STORAGE
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
VEHICLES
WASTES