Hi Keith
Some 20 years ago I owned a 1500cc Nissan van powered by petrol or
CNG. The vehicle was originally petrol powered but had been
professionally converted to run on CNG or petrol at the turn of a
switch. Here in NZ there was a network of CNG filling stations
throughout the North Island. The van had a dual curve ignition
system to allow for the much higher octane rating of gas.
The gas was stored at 3000 psi which required a very heavy tank
(about 70kgs) which took up considerable room in the back of the
van. The steel tank had walls about 12mm thick. It ran very
smoothly on gas but was difficult to start. I evolved a technique
for starting on gas but other people regularly ran the battery flat
attempting a start. Once running, it was very smooth on gas but was
significantly down on power compared with petrol. Range on gas was
poor despite its' physically large and heavy fuel tank. It would go
about 150kms on a tank of gas and another 400 on petrol. I
eventually sold it as it got tired. The CNG fuel network has been
allowed to lapse here and it is only available in a few locations
now. For that reason, I would not buy another CNG powered vehicle.
I imagine the technology for running engines on CNG has advanced
since 1981 and that the starting problems have been overcome. Fuel
capacity would not be much of a problem with a small generator but
the gas would still be stored at high pressure which will require a
very strong tank. The pressure reducing valve will probably need to
be heated as it could freeze otherwise. The van had a feed from the
water cooling circuit to heat the pressure reducing valve.
If you have a ready source of fuel and are happy with the technology,
go for it.
Bill Grace
NZ
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