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This study investigated the exhaust particle and unregulated emissions emanating from a heavy duty six-cylinder natural gas engine with CNG and HCNG fuels. Experiments were performed at different speeds (1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 rpm) and load conditions (30%, 50%, 75% and 100%). Exhaust gas samples at each speed-load combination were analyzed for particle number concentration and particle size distribution using engine exhaust particle sizing spectrometer. Unregulated emissions were also measured using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) analyzer. The results indicated that particle number (PN) concentration in exhaust is comparatively lower with HCNG fuel than CNG and it increases with increase in engine speed-load. At higher speed-load condition, engine emits high nucleation mode particles (NMP) and ultrafine particles (UFP). Total PN concentration in the NMP range is comparatively higher than UFP and accumulated mode particles (AMP) for both the test fuels.

India's natural gas consumption reached 60.3 billion cubic meters (BCM) in the year 2022-23, with imports accounting for 44.2% of the total consumption. As India targets 15% of primary energy consumption from gas by 2030, the demand for natural gas is expected to grow significantly. In this context, CBG (bio-CNG) which can reduce dependence on imported natural gas, has emerged as a viable alternative to CNG. The government's SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) initiative encourages entrepreneurs to establish CBG plants and supply CBG to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for use as automotive and industrial fuels. As of June 2023, 50 CBG plants have been set up, and 128 retail outlets in India are selling CBG as a transportation fuel. The quality requirements of CBG are governed by IS 16087, aligning with the specifications for automotive CNG defined in IS 15958.