Cng: Cleaner Air, Less Pollution

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fossil fuel made primarily of methane and is widely used as a transport fuel for passenger cars and public transportation. It is also used for cooking. CNG is considered a green fuel because it is lead and sulphur-free, and it reduces harmful emissions, thus reducing the effects of global warming. It is also non-corrosive, non-toxic, and non-carcinogenic, improving public health. CNG emits less pollution than petrol or oil when combusted, and vehicles that run on CNG are considered safer than petrol-powered vehicles.

CNG emits fewer harmful gases than petrol/diesel

CNG, or Compressed Natural Gas, is a fossil fuel primarily made of methane, which is compressed to nearly 1% of its volume at atmospheric pressure. It is used as a transport fuel to power vehicles, and it is also used in cooking. CNG emits fewer harmful gases than petrol or diesel, making it a popular clean energy alternative.

CNG is considered a green fuel because it is lead and sulphur-free. It also does not contain any benzene, which is often found in petrol. This means that CNG eliminates lead fouling of spark plugs and reduces harmful lead, benzene, and sulphur pollution. CNG is also non-corrosive, which improves the longevity of spark plugs and engines.

When combusted, CNG produces fewer undesirable gases and significantly fewer harmful emissions than petrol or diesel. For example, an engine running on petrol for 100 km produces 22 kg of CO2, while covering the same distance on CNG emits only 16.3 kg of CO2. This is a reduction of approximately 6 to 11% in greenhouse gas emissions. CNG combustion also produces fewer nitrogen oxides (NOx) and soot emissions than diesel.

The use of CNG has been shown to improve local air quality. In Khulna City, Bangladesh, the adoption of CNG-fueled three-wheelers led to a reduction in daily CO2 emissions of 32.27 tons, SO2 by 45.87 kg, NMVOC by 20.12 kg, and PM10 by 166.02 kg during the 2019-2022 period. This also contributed to a decline in pollutant emission costs.

In addition to its environmental benefits, CNG is also more cost-effective than petrol or diesel. The running cost of CNG is significantly lower than that of petrol or diesel, and it offers high performance at a low cost, giving vehicles better mileage. CNG also has a higher ignition temperature and a narrower flammability range than other fuels, making it safer and less likely to accidentally ignite.

CNG is safer than petrol/diesel

CNG, or Compressed Natural Gas, is a fossil fuel primarily made of methane, which is compressed to nearly 1% of its volume at atmospheric pressure. It is widely used as a transport fuel to power vehicles, and it is also used in cooking. CNG is considered a green fuel because it is lead and sulphur-free, and it is much safer than petrol or diesel for several reasons.

Firstly, CNG is a gaseous fuel, which means it mixes easily and evenly in the air. This even mixing prevents the buildup of dangerous concentrations of CNG, reducing the risk of accidental ignition. In contrast, petrol and diesel fuels do not mix well with air, and their incomplete combustion inside internal combustion engines emits primary pollutants like carbon monoxide (CO), unburned hydrocarbon (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and soot/particulate matter. These primary pollutants are precursors for the formation of secondary pollutants such as peroxyacrylonitrile (PAN), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, acid rain, and smog, which contribute to global warming and climate change.

Secondly, CNG has a high auto-ignition temperature of 540 °C, which is much higher than that of petrol or diesel. This means that CNG is less likely to ignite accidentally on hot surfaces. Additionally, CNG has a narrow range of flammability, typically between 5-15%, which further reduces the risk of accidental ignition or combustion.

Thirdly, CNG poses less of a threat in the event of a spill because it is lighter than air and disperses quickly when released. This is in contrast to liquid fuels like petrol and diesel, which can accumulate and pose a danger of ignition or explosion.

Finally, CNG is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-carcinogenic, which improves public health and the environment. It also reduces maintenance costs by enhancing the longevity of spark plugs and extending the life of lubricating oils, as it does not contaminate or dilute crankcase oil.

The use of CNG has gained attention as a way to address air pollution and improve air quality, particularly in developing countries where motorized vehicles are a significant source of pollution. Several countries and cities, including Pakistan, Malaysia, Italy, and Singapore, have implemented or considered CNG as an alternative to petrol and diesel to reduce air pollution.

CNG is cheaper than petrol/diesel

CNG is a cheaper fuel than petrol and diesel. This is largely due to the fact that CNG is more fuel-efficient, meaning that a CNG car will go further on the same amount of fuel than a petrol or diesel car. This higher fuel efficiency results in lower fuel costs for CNG car owners.

The higher fuel efficiency of CNG also means that the overall ownership cost is lower than for petrol or diesel cars. This is because, although CNG cars are often more expensive to purchase, the lower fuel cost can make up for the higher purchase price over time.

The cost-effectiveness of CNG is particularly noticeable when fuel prices are high. For example, in India, the surge in petrol and diesel prices has prompted several automakers to launch CNG variants of different cars.

However, it is worth noting that CNG cars do have some drawbacks. They tend to have less boot space than petrol or diesel cars, as the CNG tank takes up more room. They also have a lower range than petrol or diesel cars, as the fuel tank capacity is lower. Additionally, there are fewer CNG refuelling stations, making refuelling less convenient in some areas.

CNG is a green fuel

CNG, or Compressed Natural Gas, is a fossil fuel primarily made of methane, which is compressed to nearly 1% of its volume at atmospheric pressure. It is commonly referred to as a green fuel because it is lead and sulphur-free, and it reduces harmful emissions, thus reducing the effects of global warming. CNG is used in traditional petrol/internal combustion engine vehicles that have been modified, or in vehicles specifically manufactured for CNG use.

CNG is a clean-burning fuel that produces fewer undesirable gases than petrol, diesel, or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It emits significantly less pollution directly than petrol or oil when combusted. For example, an engine running on petrol for 100 km produces 22 kilograms of CO2, while covering the same distance on CNG emits only 16.3 kilograms of CO2. CNG vehicles also emit less nitrogen oxide and soot than diesel-powered vehicles.

CNG is also safer than other fuels. It has a high auto-ignition temperature (540 °C) and a narrow range (5–15%) of flammability, making accidental ignition or combustion very unlikely. It is also non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-carcinogenic, improving public health. In addition, CNG is lighter than air, so in the event of a spill, it disperses quickly without any dangerous accumulation.

The use of CNG has gained attention as a way to reduce air pollution and improve local air quality. In some places, such as Karachi, Pakistan, it has been mandated for use in all city buses and auto rickshaws to reduce air pollution. In other places, such as India, the number of CNG stations is increasing, and domestic sales of CNG-powered vehicles have doubled. CNG is also more cost-effective than petrol or diesel, with a lower running cost per km.

CNG improves local air quality

CNG, or Compressed Natural Gas, is a fossil fuel primarily made of methane, which is compressed to nearly 1% of its volume at atmospheric pressure. It is a popular clean energy alternative that has gained attention as a substitute for petroleum and diesel, particularly in the transport sector.

The use of CNG has been encouraged in various countries to improve air quality and reduce pollution. For instance, in Pakistan, the Karachi government made it mandatory for all city buses and auto rickshaws to run on CNG in 2004, with similar initiatives seen in Malaysia and Singapore. CNG is also considered safer than petrol or diesel as it has a higher auto-ignition temperature and a narrow flammability range, making accidental ignition or combustion very unlikely.

Furthermore, CNG is environmentally friendly as it is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-carcinogenic, improving public health and reducing the effects of global warming. It is also economical, with a lower operational cost than petrol or diesel, and it does not contaminate or dilute crankcase oil, extending engine life.

Overall, the adoption of CNG as a fuel source has the potential to significantly improve local air quality by reducing harmful emissions and mitigating the impacts of global warming.

Frequently asked questions