You can convert your car to run on natural gas.
Natural gas is a good alternative vehicle fuel if you want to reduce carbon dioxide emissions; however, changes need to be made to your car--specifically, to the fuel storage tank, fueling nozzle and engine before you can starting driving on natural gas. Keep in mind that mileage efficiency is not enhanced--you get similar mileage per gallon as you would with an efficient gasoline car--and that professional help may be required.
Instructions
1. Replace the car's fuel storage tank with thermos-like bottles that can handle high-pressure gas. Natural gas is stored in the vehicle at 3,000-3,600 pounds per square inch; the correct term for the fuel is compressed natural gas (CNG). Storage containers have to be able to withstand pressure and have special vents to release pressure in case of a crash-induced fire. Attach special tube-shaped containers to the rear, top or undercarriage of the vehicle body, which must be of significant structure to carry the increased weight. CNG storage tanks can be purchased through American CNG.
2. Install a regulator near the engine to reduce gas pressure when it is released from the tank. A regulator decreases the pressure of the CNG before it enters the engine, converting it to a useable form. Techforgas International supplies CNG regulators.
3. Special engine parts can be used to retrofit your car to use compressed natural gas.
Install a gaseous fuel injection system to replace the gasoline fuel injection system. The different system is necessary to utilize a gaseous fuel and feed it into the cylinders, which turn the pistons. Techforgas International supplies gaseous CNG fuel injection systems.
4. Install specialized sensors and computers that monitor and adjust the fuel-to-air-flow mixture so that when the spark plug ignites the gas, the fuel burns efficiently. UGS-Ultragas supplies CNG electronic control units.
5. Use natural gas fueling nozzles to fuel the car. Compressed natural gas requires a closed system. Natural gas is highly flammable at specified mixtures and must be kept in a closed system to prevent accidents. Any air-to-natural-gas mixture between 5 percent and 15 percent natural gas is flammable. Below 5 percent, there is not enough gas to burn; above 15 percent, there is not enough oxygen to cause fire. To avoid gas mixing with air at unsafe percentages, natural gas nozzles lock and seal into place to prevent gas from escaping during fueling.
6. Install a home natural gas refueling station where you can pump your own gas. A home station can only fuel one vehicle at a time and requires a dedicated circuit with a 15-amp breaker. It is tied into your natural gas line and requires 48,00 BTU input (similar to a standard water heater).
