Natural gas can be from renewable or conventional methods. Households are using it in place of fuel due to its domestic availability, relatively low cost, established distribution network, and emission benefits. The conventional and renewable natural gas must be liquefied or compressed to power motor vehicles.
Benefits of Natural Gas
In 2015, more than 19.4 million barrels were consumed per day in United States. Most of the petroleum reserves are in politically volatile nations hence prone to supply disruptions. The natural gas sources are abundant and domestically available. Residents should think of using the fuel to offset the imported petroleum for the transport and household usage.
Natural gas vehicles (NGV) resemble the diesel or gasoline motors in regard to cruising speed, acceleration, and power. NGVs have a lower driving range to similar diesel and gasoline automobiles because less energy content can be held in the tank. For larger vehicle, the owner must add extra tanks or use the LNG. In heavy-duty motors, compression-ignited, and dual fuel engines are fuel-efficient than natural gas engines. The dual-fuel engine facilitates the complexity of the storage system and can handle different fuels.
For a vehicle to start operating, it must meet the emission standards. New cars have effective emission control units that match the specifications regardless of the fuel used. Tailpipe emissions of gasoline and diesel vehicle of modern automobiles ought to be comparable to that of natural gas trucks. Studies confirm that light-duty vehicles on shale and conventional gas can lower the greenhouse gas releases by 11%.
Natural gas from renewable methods is biogas and can be processed to pure standards. Capturing the gas from livestock and landfills operations lowers emission by preventing release of methane into the atmosphere. The greenhouse gas is stronger than carbon dioxide. The production of biogas through anaerobic digestion allows release of nutrient rich fertilizers and reduces odors.
Consumers and fleets can use qualifies unit retrofitters to convert the existing diesel or gasoline automobiles for natural gas operation. All cars and engine conversions must be according to the standards institutes and safety regulations. Only certified persons should complete this task.
Although the US has a wide distribution of natural gas already established, the fueling infrastructures are not enough to sustain the high number. Fleets are left to install their station making the process is expensive. Stakeholders should educate the public about the importance of substituting petroleum products with natural gases.