Standard
Recommended Practice for Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Fuel
1994-02-01
HISTORICAL
J1616_199402
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a practical automotive fuel, with advantages and disadvantages when compared to gasoline. It has a good octane quality, is clean burning, easy to meter, and generally produces lower vehicle exhaust emissions. CNG is used to fuel internal combustion engines. Natural gas is normally compressed form 20 690 to 24 820 kPa (3000 to 3600 psig) to increase its energy density thereby reducing its on-board vehicle storage volume for a given range and payload. The properties of natural gas are influenced by (1) the processing of natural gas by the production and transmission companies and (2) the regional gas supply, storage, and demand balancing done by distribution companies often in concert with pipeline companies to maintain uninterrupted service throughout the year, e.g., peakshaving with propane-air (see U.S. Bureau of Mines Publication 503).