Compressed natural gas.

Compressed compressed gas is obtained in different ways: directly from gas wells, as a product of oil refining and by fractionating gas condensate or oil associated gas. Compressed natural gas not only can successfully replace liquid motor fuels, but also exceeds them for a number of parameters. Its main advantage is that compressed natural gas can be used in road transport without expensive technological processing.

The composition of natural gases produced in domestic fields is sufficiently similar. Basically (82-98%) is methane CH 4 with small impurities (up to 6%) of ethane C 2 H 6, up to 1.5% propane C 3 H 8 and to 1% butane from 4 H 10. In associated gases produced in oil fields, depending on the production area, the methane content can range from 40 to 82%, and butane and propane - from 4 to 20%.

The main component - methane CH 4 is characterized by the highest critical temperature (-82 ° C). Therefore, at normal temperatures, even at high pressure, methane cannot be liquefied: this requires a low temperature.

The properties of methane are determined by its molecular structure. Gas refers to simple hydrocarbons. Its molecule contains one carbon atom maximum hydrogen. This causes a high thermal conductivity of methane, a wide range of flammability and low content of toxic components. Due to the high content of hydrogen in the compressed gas, it occurs its more complete combustion in the engine cylinders than the SS and gasoline. Compared to other hydrocarbon gases, methane is much easier, so in the event of a leak, it accumulates at the top of the room. High detonation methane resistance allows engine forcing by compression ratio (9.5-10.5).

According to energy parameters, 1 m3 of natural gas is equal to 1 liter of gasoline. At the same time, natural gas has a very low volumetric concentration of energy. If the heat of combustion of 1 liter of liquid fuel is 31426 kJ, then natural gas is equal to 33.52-35.62 kJ, i.e. almost 1000 times less. Therefore, natural gas must be squeezed to high pressure.

On automotive gas compressor stations in Russia, a working pressure is 20 MPa.

For compressed gas, gas-challennel installations are used (cylinders, reinforcement, gearbox, gas pipelines, etc.), designed to work at high pressure - 19.6 MPa (200 kgf / cm 2). As gas is spent from the balloon, the working pressure in it is continuously reduced.

CPG cylinders have a capacity from 34-400 liters, designed for pressure of 19.6 MPa.

Since cylinders for storing compressed gas are made in thick-walled, the battery of eight such cylinders is sufficiently heavy. Consequently, the useful carrying capacity of cars is reduced. At the same time, the mileage of cars on the CPG becomes 2 times less than on gasoline. Therefore, more promising is the cryogenic technology for storing CPGs by car. In addition, this direction is considered to be staged and on the way of creating hydrogen engines.

Complimed (compressed) Natural gas (CPG) was previously called compressed natural gas (LNG) Regulated according to GOST 27577-2000 "Fuel combined gas for internal combustion engines" determines the physico-chemical and operational indicators of the CPG (Table 5.7).

Table 5.7 Physico-chemical indicators and operational indicators of the CPG

Note. The value of the indicators is set at a temperature of 293k (20 ° C) and a pressure of 0.1013 MPa .

In accordance with GOST at the CPG, the temperature of the gas refueling into the car cylinders should be no more than 40 ° C. At ambient temperature above 35 ° C, the temperature of the gas refueling should be no more than 5 ° C above the air temperature. The CPG temperature is determined at the request of consumers.

The CPG flammives at a temperature of 635-645 ° C in the engine combustion chamber, which is 3 times higher than gasoline ignition temperature.

This makes it difficult to launch the engine, especially at low temperatures (below -5 ° C) ambient air. Therefore, cars have a backup power supply system with gasoline. At the same time, by the danger of ignition and fire hazard, the CPG is significantly safer than gasoline.

The following can be attributed to the positive factors of the CPG:

The life of the engine oil is increased by 1.5-2.0 times due to the lack of its dissolution and reduction of pollution; As a result, oil consumption decreases by 30-40% compared with gasoline engines;

It increases by an average of 35-40% engine power resources due to the lack of nagar on the details of the cylindrophneum group;

Increases by 40% service life of the spark plug;

Increased by 1.5 times the engine interremmer mileage;

Significantly decreases (up to 90%) with exhaust gases of harmful substances, especially CO.

Motors of gas-filled cars working on the CPG, if the gas is consumed, can quickly go to work on gasoline.

Along with the benefits, the following flaws can be noted:

The labor intensity of the way and TP increases by 7-8%, and the price of the vehicle increases by an average of 27% due to the presence of additional gas-filled equipment;

Engine power decreases by 18-20%. The traction dynamic and operational characteristics of cars are worse: overclocking time is increased by 24-30%; The maximum speed is reduced by 5-6%; The limit angles of overcomed lifts decrease by 30-40%; Operation of a car with a trailer makes it difficult; The risk range at one gas refueling decreases (not exceeds 200-250 km);

Car load capacity decreases by 9-14% due to the use of high pressure steel cylinders (their quantity and weight can be different);

The utilization factor of gas-blasting cars is reduced by 8-13% compared with gasoline;

Annual performance during urban transportation is reduced by 14-16% compared with gasoline.

The features of the CPG as fuel for cars allow to determine the rational area of \u200b\u200bapplication of gas-ballot cars: transportation in large cities and areas adjacent to them (priority importance of the air pool).

The effectiveness of intracity transportation on gas-ballon cars in servicing trade enterprises, life, communications and other institutions is obvious.

Chemical composition of gas. Application

The bulk of natural gas is methane (CH4) - up to 98%. The composition of natural gas may also include more heavy hydrocarbons - methane homologs:

ethane (C 2 H 6),

propane (C 3 H 8),

bhutan (C 4 H 10),

as well as other inconspicuous substances:

hydrogen (H 2),

hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S),

carbon dioxide (CO 2),

helium (not).

Pure natural gas has no color and smell. In order to be able to determine the leak on the smell, a small amount of substances having a strong unpleasant smell are added to the gas (t. Odorants). Most often, ethyl mercaptan is used as a odorant.

Hydrocarbon fractions are valuable raw materials for the chemical and petrochemical industry. They are widely used to obtain acetylene. Pyrolysis of ethane receive ethylene - an important product for organic synthesis. When oxidizing the propane-butane fraction, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, acetic acid, acetone, and other products are formed. Isobutan serves to produce high-octane components of motor fuels, as well as isobutylene - raw materials for the manufacture of synthetic rubber. Isopentane dehydrogenation is obtained by an isoprent - an important product in the production of synthetic rubbers.

Compressed natural gas - Compressed natural gas used as motor fuel instead of gasoline, diesel fuel and propane.

Natural gas, as any other, can be compressed using a compressor. At the same time, the volume occupied by them significantly decreases. Natural gas is traditionally compressed to a pressure of 200-250 bar, which leads to a reduction in volume 200-250 times. Gas is compromised (compressed) for transportation through trunk gas pipelines, to maintain the correct pressure inside the reservoir (reservoir pressure) during the injection molding under the ground, and the preparation of the compressed natural gas is an intermediate step in the production of liquefied natural gas. Complimed natural gas is cheaper than traditional fuel, and the greenhouse effect caused by its combustion is less compared to conventional fuels, so it is safer for the environment. Storage and transportation of compressed natural gas occurs in special gas storage. Also used to add to the compressed natural gas of biogas, which reduces carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Compressed natural gas as fuel has a number of advantages:

· Methane (main component of natural gas) is lighter than air and in the event of an emergency spill, it quickly evaporates, in contrast to the more severe propane accumulating in natural and artificial recesses and creating the danger of the explosion.

· Not toxic in low concentrations;

· Does not cause corrosion of metals.

· Compressed natural gas is cheaper than any petroleum fuel, including diesel, but they exceed them by calories.

· Low boiling point ensures complete evaporation of natural gas at the lowest ambient temperatures.

· Natural gas burns almost completely and leaves a soot, worsening ecology and reduction efficiency. Allocated flue gases do not have sulfur impurities and do not destroy the metal chimney.

· Operating costs for servicing gas boiler rooms are also lower than traditional.

Another feature of the compressed natural gas is that the natural gas boilers have a larger efficiency - up to 94%, do not require fuel consumption to its preheating in winter (like fuel oil and propane-butane).

Natural gas cooled after cleaning from impurities to condensation temperature (-161.5 0 C), turns into a liquid called liquefied natural gas. Liquefied gas is a colorless odorless liquid, the density of which is two times less than the density of water. 75-99% consists of methane. Boiling point -158 ... -163 0 C. In liquid state, it is not a fuel, not toxic, not aggressive. For use is subjected to evaporation to the initial state. When combustion of vapors, carbon dioxide and water vapor is formed. The volume of gas during liquefaction decreases 600 times, which is one of the main advantages of this technology. The liquefaction process goes steps, on each of which the gas is compressed in 5-12 times, then cooled and transmitted to the next step. The actual liquefaction occurs when cooling after the last compression stage. The process of liquefaction, thus, requires a significant consumption of energy - up to 25% of its amount contained in liquefied gas. Liquefied gas is produced on the so-called liqueiest installations (factories), after which it can be transported in special cryogenic tanks - marine tankers or tanks for land transport. This allows us to deliver gas to those areas that are far from the main gas pipelines traditionally used to transport conventional natural gas. Natural gas in liquefied form is kept for a long time, which allows you to create reserves. Before delivery directly to the consumer, liquefied gas is returned to the initial gaseous state on regasification terminals. The first attempts to lunch natural gas for industrial purposes belong to the beginning of the 20th century. In 1917, the first liquefied gas was obtained in the United States, but the development of pipeline delivery systems for a long time postponed the improvement of this technology. In 1941, the following attempt was made to produce LNGs, but industrial scales reached only from the mid-1960s. In Russia, the construction of the first plant of liquefied natural gas began in 2006 in the framework of the Sakhalin-2 project. The solemn opening of the plant took place in the winter of 2009.

Shale gas - Natural gas produced from a slate consisting mainly of methane. The first commercial gas well in the shale formation was drilled in the United States in 1821. The large-scale industrial production of shale gas was started by Devon Energy in the United States in the early 2000s at the Barnett Shale deposit, which at this field in 2002 drilled the horizontal well for the first time. Due to the sharp increase in its production, called the "Gas Revolution", in 2009, the United States became the world leader of gas production (745.3 billion m 3), and more than 40% accounted for non-traditional sources (methane from coal layers and shale gas).

Shalast gas resources in the world are 200 trillion m 3. In January 2011, economist A.D. Heitun wrote about the possibility that the shale gas "will repeat the fate of coal methane with a significant drop in the increase in mining during long-term operation of the fields or the fate of biofuels, which is overwhelming part of the world production of America, and is now reduced."

Gas reserves and resources

World geological reserves of combustible gases on continents, in the zone of shelves and shallow seas, according to the forecast estimate, reach 10 15 m 3, which is equivalent to 10 12 tons of oil.

The largest deposits in the USSR were: Urengoy (4 trillion m 3) and Polar (1.5 trillion m 3), Vuktylskoe (452 \u200b\u200bbillion m 3), Orenburg (650 billion m 3), Stavropol (220 billion m 3), Gazli (445 billion m 3) in Central Asia; Shebssinsky (390 billion m 3) in Ukraine.

On the Yamal Peninsula and in the surrounding waters, 11 gas and 15 oil and gas condensate deposits, explored and preliminary estimated (ABC 1 + C 2), the gas reserves are about 16 trillion m 3, promising and forecast (from 3-d 3) gas resources - about 22 trillion m 3. The most significant in the gas reserves of the Yamal deposit is Bovanenkovskoye - 4.9 trillion m 3 (ABC 1 + C 2), which in 2012 will begin to be developed, and the gas will go into the new main gas pipeline of Bovanenkovo-Ukhta. The initial reserves of the Harasawa, Kruzenshtern and South Tamba deposits are about 3.3 trillion m 3 of gas.

Eastern Siberia and the Far East make up about 60% of the territory of the Russian Federation. The initial total gas sushi resources of the East of Russia - 52.4 trillion m 3, shelf - 14.9 trillion m 3.

In the Russian Federation, gas production only OAO Gazprom in 2011 amounted to 513.2 billion m 3. At the same time, the gains of category C 1 reached a record level - 686.4 billion m 3, condensate - 38.6 million tons. In 2012, it is planned to produce 528.6 billion m 3 gas and 12.8 million tons of gas condensate.

Condensate

Condensate - liquid product separation of natural gases. It is mainly represented by liquid uv - pentane and heavier HC alkanov, cyclan and age. The density usually does not exceed 0.785 g / cm 3, although a difference with a density of up to 0.82 g / cm 3 is known. End of boiling from 200 to 350 0 S.

Distinguish raw condensate obtained during separation and stableobtained by deep degassing raw condensate. The amount of condensate in the reservoir gases is expressed either by the ratio of its volume to the volume of separated gas (see 3 / m 3) and is called condensate factor. The amount of condensate, assigned to 1 m 3 of a separated (free) gas, reaches 700 cm 3. Depending on the magnitude of the condensate factor, the gases are "dry" (less than 10 cm 3 / m 3), "skinny" (10-30 cm 3 / m 3) and "fatty" (30-90 cm 3 / m 3). Gases characterized by a gas factor of more than 90 cm 3 / m 3 are called gas condensate. At the Vuktyl oil and gas condensate deposit, the condensate factor is 488-538 cm 3 / m 3, natural gases of Western Siberia deposits are usually "dry".

General description of piston compressors. Single-stage and two-stage. Harmful space

In accordance with the nature of the action, piston compressors may be single (or simple) action and double action. In simple action units, one suction or discharge is carried out in one stroke. In double-acting compressors, two suction or discharges are carried out in one piston stroke.

By the number of compression stages, piston compressors are divided into three types: single-stage, two-stage and multi-stage. The compression step is made to call a part of the compressor in which the gas is compressed to intermediate or end pressure.

Structurally, single-stage compressors can be vertical or horizontal. As a rule, compressors with horizontal design are double-acting machines, and the compressors with a vertical design belong to the simple acting units.

In a single-stage compressor of simple action with a horizontal type of construction, the piston moves inside the cylinder. The cylinder is equipped with a lid, which has suction and discharge valves. The piston of the compressor is connected to the connecting rod and crank. A flywheel is located on the shaft of the crank. In the process of the stroke of the piston from left to right, the zone between the piston and the cylinder occurs. The pressure difference in the absorption line and the cylinder makes the valve open, with the result that the gas enters the cylinder. When the piston makes the opposite movement on the right to the left, the suction valve is closed, and the gas in the cylinder is compressed to the pressure level P 2. Next, through the gas valve is displaced in the injection line. The cycle is completed and repeated again.

A single-stage double action compressor is equipped with four valves (two suction and two injection). Such machines are more complicated, but the level of performance is twice as high. For cooling purposes, the cylinder and lids can be equipped with water shirts. To increase performance indicator, these machines can be manufactured by multi-cylinder structures. Single-stage compressors with a vertical type of design are more productive and high-speed than horizontal. In addition, they occupy a smaller production area and more durable.

Two-stage compressors with a horizontal type of construction, as a rule, are equipped with one cylinder and stepwise or differential type of piston. The gas is subjected to compression in the cylinder to the left side of the piston, after which it passes through the refrigerator and is fed to the cylinder on the other side, where it is compressed to the level P 2.

Multistage structures are equipped with cylinders, which are located sequentially (tandem system) or parallel (compound system). There are also the opposite designs of the compressors, where the pistons move mutually opposite. Cylinders in the designs of this type are located on both sides of the shaft.

It should be noted that the real gas compression process in the compressor differs from the theory. So, between the piston, when it is in the extreme position and the cylinder lid there is a free amount. This gap is called a harmful space. In this gap, upon completion of the discharge, compressed gas expands at the opposite course of the piston. For this reason, the suction valve is opened only after reducing the pressure level to the pressure level on suction. Thus, the piston makes idle movement, which reduces the performance of the compressor.

The article is provided by the companyGazprom Transgaz Yekaterinburg, OOO, Ekaterinburg

For economic, environmental, resource and technical criteria, compressed natural gas (CPG) will remain the best motor fuel for a long time.

Today, 14.7 million cars operate at the CPG, which is 1.5% of the world park (900 million units). In recent years, the global car on natural gas is increased by 25-30% (Fig. 1). According to the forecast of the International Gas Union, the growth of the park of gas-ballot vehicles will be 50 million units by 2020, and by 2030 more than 100 million units. Today there are already 20,746 automotive gas-filled compressor stations in the world (AGNX).

Infrastructure of filling stations already exists or rapidly develops in a number of countries, such as Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, Italy. In South Korea, 95% of municipal buses work on the CPG. In Rome, transport on alternative fuel, freed from paying taxes for 3 years. In France, there is a ban on the use of petroleum fuel on municipal buses. In Sweden, Gasomobiles are exempt from fees on paid parking. To date, many world automakers carry out serial production of cars using CPGs (Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Honda, Kia, Toyota, Volkswagen and others).

Such a rapid development of this area is quite explained - now, of all massively used motor fuels and technologies, natural gas ensures the most secure emissions of the exhaust gas vehicles. Translation of gas from gasoline on gas allows to reduce on average five times the emissions of harmful substances, and the noise effect is twice.

KPG in Russia

Our country has already accumulated a rich experience of using natural gas as a motor fuel. OAO Gazprom predicts the growth of CPG consumption as a motor fuel at the end of 2011, about 10% - to 370 million m 3 against 345 million m 3 in 2010 (Fig. 2). To date, on the territory of the Russian Federation there are 255 AGNCs operating in 60 regions of Russia, 206 (93%) built by Gazprom. The park of gasified vehicles today consists of 86 thousand cars. The largest consumption of CPG is celebrated in the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories, Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk and Rostov regions, Kabardino-Balkaria and North Ossetia.

Fig.1. World Car Vehicle on CPG

(according to the National Gas Engine Association)

Fig. 2. CURR CONTENT IN RUSSIA, ML MY 3

Natural gas is much cheaper than gasoline. Extraked from the subsoil, natural gas is not subjected to subsequent processing. This ultimately guarantees its lower cost compared to oil refining products. World natural gas reserves significantly exceed oil reserves. Natural gas is not subject to seasonal price changes. In addition, in accordance with the Decree of the Government of Russia, the price of natural gas for vehicles cannot exceed 50% of the price of gasoline of the A-80 brand. In 2011, the average retail price of the CPG in the Russian Federation for vehicles was 8.5 rubles / m 3.

The reasons for methanizing the vehicles of the Ural region are the same as in Russia, and perhaps all over the world - the environmental and economic advantages of the use of natural gas as a motor fuel.

CPG in the Ural region

Currently, Gazprom Transgaz Yekaterinburg LLC operates a network of 30 (AGNKS) and 6 points of refurbishment of vehicles located in Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, Kurgan and Orenburg regions.

The main consumer of the CPG in the Ural region is the city passenger motor vehicle. These are the route taxis of the Gazelle buses type and minibuses.

In addition to stationary AGNKs, we have the opportunity to exercise gas-blasting PBX using mobile automotive gas refills (PAGZ) with a wailing compressor. It is based on the KAMAZ-43118 car with a gas engine. Developed and undergoes industrial tests, a small-sized block complex, which ensures the regasification of liquefied natural gas to refuel gas-filled cars.

Currently, in the Russian Federation, CAMAZ OJSC (RARITEK "LLC) - Buses of NEM3, Sadeline Trucks, dump trucks are engaged in the Russian Federation. GAZ Group produces buses with a gas engine - Liaz-6213, LIAZ-6212, LIAZ-5256, Liaz 5293, PAZ 320302, etc.

In addition, there is an opportunity to purchase gas-ballon techniques of foreign automakers - Iveco, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Opel, Toyota, etc.

To date, Gazprom Transgaz Yekaterinburg LLC operates 691 units. PBX using KPG as motor fuel. In 2011 the economic effect of replacement of liquid motor fuel amounted to 22.3 million rubles..

As a result of trilateral cooperation with KAMAZ OJSC and OJSC NPO Helijimash, it was created: a truck tractor and a city bus, equipped with gas engines with a cryogenic tank to refuel LNG. The first results showed their significant advantage in comparing with gas-filled vehicles using CPGs. So, more than twice the mileage of cars without refueling.

In order to expand the use of the CPG in July 2011, in the framework of the international exhibition "Innoprom - 2011", a tripartite "agreement" was signed between the Government of the Sverdlovsk Region, OOO Gazprom Transgaz Yekaterinburg and KAMAZ OJSC on the development of natural gas Motor fuel. The agreement, in particular, provides for supply to the Sverdlovsk region. Car "KAMAZ" using as motorcycle fuel both CPGs and LNG. Gazprom Transgaz Yekaterinburg Ltd. provides CPG and LNG gas station to gas supply, performs methodological assistance to third-party PBX re-equipment and directly translates the transition of an existing PBX fleet to the use of gas engine fuel.

In October 2011, on behalf of Gazprom OJSC, the company was organized and the gas-plane car was carried out. Blue Corridor - 2011 on the route Ekaterinburg - Chelyabinsk - Ufa - Orenburg - Samara - Saratov - Volgograd - Tambov - Voronezh - Tula - Moscow. Within the framework of this run between the governments of the Chelyabinsk, Orenburg regions and society, "Protocols about intentions" were signed, providing for the use of CPGs as a motor fuel as a priority direction of the parties.

In accordance with the target comprehensive program for the development of the gas stations and the park, working on natural gas, for 2007-2015. In the area of \u200b\u200bresponsibility, Gazprom Transgaz Yekaterinburg LLC is defined for the construction of six AGNX.

Suggestions for expansion
use of natural gas

Gazprom Transgaz Yekaterinburg LLC offers a number of measures, the adoption of which will increase the use of natural gas as motor fuel.

At the federal level it is proposed:

1. Adopt the Law "On the Use of Gas Motor Fuel".

2. Develop and adopt the Government of the Russian Federation a number of economic stimulating measures of economic entities and individuals carrying out the production, implementation and use of natural gas as a motor fuel.

At the subject of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, it is proposed:

1. Development and implementation of regional gas engine fuel utilization programs on motor vehicles.

2. Ensuring a priority acquisition at the expense of budgetary funds of public transport and communal technology using gas engine fuel, in order to reduce budgetary fuel costs and improving the environmental situation in cities.

3. The inclusion of costs for the retrofitting of garage complexes of budgetary organizations when transferring PBX to the use of gas engine fuel to the budgets of municipalities.

4. The cost of operation of gas engine equipment is reduced by savings in the cost of fuel. REC, on the basis of Federal Law No. 261-FZ "On Energy Saving and to Enhance Energy Efficiency and Amending Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation" dated November 23, 2009, must maintain tariffs for transportation unchanged for 5 years.

OAO Gazprom is offered:

1. Continue work on the adoption of FZ "On the use of gas engine fuel" and to develop and produce modern and effective HBO.

2. Implement the program of OAO Gazprom "Development of a gas stalline network and a fleet operating on natural gas for 2007-2015".

3. Organize refueling potential consumers with the help of mobile tankers with the subsequent construction of AGNKS.

Conclusion

In April 2012, Vladimir Putin, being in Togliatti, proposed to allocate additional subsidies to the Russian regions to update the bus fleet.

Funds are proposed to allocate to those regions that will translate their bus fleet to a cleaner type of fuel - gas. Previously, it is planned to allocate 3.5 billion rubles for these purposes. From the budget of the Russian Federation.

Currently, more than 50% of the park of buses over 15 years old, and most of our European neighbors buses for security reasons are updated every ten years.

The acquisition of municipal transport using CPG and LNG as a motor fuel must be synchronized with the construction of new AGNCs, refurbishment and maintenance points of cars, cylinder re-release points, commissioning of mobile automotive gas refills. This will further ensure the real improvement in the environmental situation in large industrial cities, will increase the economic efficiency of cargo-passenger traffic, reduce the costs in budgets of all levels, will speed up the formation of a new market for the use of natural gas in the Ural region.

One and the same fact can be viewed at least from three points of view. So on the use of compressed natural gas on transport as fuel, it can be said - this is the lot of poor and even beggars, and we can say that this is a choice of economical and not accustomed to silent in vain, and there is also an opinion that methane is fuel of the future and those Who now goes to him, just keep up with the times and saddled the wave of close and promising mainstream. How to count - your choice!

Search for alternative automotive fuel sources - a problem that in recent years is given close attention. Rising prices for oil energy, tightening environmental requirements, saving flammable materials - All this has become the main driving force in the search for alternative fuels for many countries. In the last decade of the twentieth century, the third wave of natural gas used as a motor fuel began to gain strength in the global economy.
According to experts, this wave reaches apogee by the end of the first quarter of the XXI century.

Natural gas
Natural gas, more than 90% consisting of methane, is available today by almost all over the world. And then what to talk about Russia!

According to experts, the use of natural gas to a lesser extent affects economic crises, which cannot be said about the oil and petroleum products market. Methane, be it fossil natural gas or biomethane, can be distributed both through the existing network of natural gas and through the existing refueling network. True, in some countries standing on the threshold of the industrial revolution, the issue with distribution networks is not yet resolved. Methane required for road transport can be supplied to the consumer:
■ on the international gas pipeline network;
■ in the form of liquefied natural gas using bulk vessels, automotive or railway tanks;
■ at local low-pressure pipelines (biomethane);
■ car tanks (liquefied biomethane).
Currently, international standards have been adopted and approved the main types of vehicles suitable for the delivery of methane, and in most regions there are already certified suppliers of complete gas equipment for applying it in vehicles.

Indisient advantages
Transfer of vehicles to natural gas does not require the engine alteration and allows you to significantly improve the environment, as the emission of toxic substances is reduced into the atmosphere.
Thus, carbon oxide emissions are reduced by 5-10 times, hydrocarbons - 3 times, nitrogen oxides - by 1.5-2.5 times. The noise level of the engine running 2 times. The operation of the engine on the compressed gas becomes softer, in no mode does not detonation, the octane number of the gas is 110. In addition, methane is lighter than air and when leakage immediately disappears without creating an explosive mixture.

The use of gas fuel increases the service life of the engine and engine oil 2 times, and the spark plugs are 40%. With the same consumption per 100 km of the road, the cost of gas is 2-3 times lower than the cost of gasoline or diesel fuel, which holds back the growth of tariffs for transport services. The use of natural gas as a motor fuel reduces the dependence of transport from oil and petroleum products and releases a significant part of them for use in areas where they are not alternative. We immediately note that it will be only about natural gas (methane: compressed or liquefied), and not about a propanebutan mixture, widely used in everyday life, as well as applied in transport (t. N. Liquefied hydrocarbon gas).

Compressed or liquefied
Liquefied natural gas (LNG, English. LNG - LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS) is obtained by cooling the natural gas of methane to -162 ° C. In liquid state, gas volume decreases 600 times, which makes it possible to largely increase the efficiency of its storage and transportation. Liquefied natural gas is transported as well as oil, in special tankers. In importing countries, it is stored in tanks. In special LNG terminals heated, due to which it returns to a gaseous state, and after that it is puzzled into the gas transmission system. Compresented, or compressed natural gas (CPG eng. CNG - Compressed Natural Gas) is the same methane, but in a gaseous state, under pressure up to 20 MPa. The consumer can immediately use this gas for its own needs. Experts continue to continue the dispute about the merits and disadvantages of compressed and liquefied natural gas. Some believe that over time, when creating the necessary conditions, liquefied natural gas is compressed, but others do not think so. Table 1 shows the comparative characteristic of liquefied natural gas and compressed, compressed.

It can be seen that the CPG does not require special transport devices for delivery from the manufacturer, however, it is necessary to use special cylinders with high cost and considerable weight. As for the price of such fuel, in Russia the cost of the compressed gas cubic meter is established by law - in the amount of 50% of the cost of liter of gasoline AI76. In this position, the CPA significantly wins in liquefied hydrocarbon gas for which the price dictates the market. However, loses at the cost of cylinders and snap.
LNG abroad
Despite all the difficulties, abroad in parallel with the use of the CPG expands the use of methane in vehicles and liquefied natural gas, especially for the United States. So, the wide network of gas stations was created on the southwespade of the United States in the states of California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania and others. Large automotive corporations, such as Mack, Ford, MAN pay this issue to the most serious attention. In Europe, companies such as Mercedesbenz, Man, BMW, and other companies are engaged in the production of cars working on a liquefied natural gas, and dr. Liquefied gas like engine fuel Europe.
KPG in the CIS
Today in Russia, more proliferation in the motor transport sector received CPGs, especially for urban and municipal vehicles. In recent years, attempts have been made to expand the use of this type of fuel. State organizations and private companies are involved in solving this problem. There are already many years of experience in operating automotive gas equipment working on the CPG, especially in the structure of Gazprom.
In 2001, the CIS Economic Council proposed an interstate program "The use of natural gas as motor fuel for vehicles for 2001-2005", and partly thanks to it in Russia, and the CSG (compressed methane) received the greatest distribution in Russia , not liquefied natural gas.

Cylinders for CPG
To replace one liter of diesel fuel with a similar amount of energy contained in gasoline, a fuel tank will be required, the volume of which is 15% more. If you use LNG, the volume of the tank will have to increase by 70%, and when using a compressed natural gas (methane), which is stored at a working pressure of 200 bar (20 MPa), the fuel tanks must occupy a volume of 4.5 times.

Therefore, the use of compressed natural gas is largely limited to the presence of special cylinders. Unlike the rest of the SGN countries in Russia, this issue is solved quite successfully. Cylinders for methane, as a rule, have a cylindrical shape and are conventionally divided into four types, including both cylinders, traditionally manufactured from steel and lightweight option - cylinders using polymer composite materials based on glass carbon or organic fibers. Among such tanks:
■ seamless steel cylinders;
■ Metal plastic cylinders (type 1) consisting of a metal thick wall shell (liner) carrier loading, and an external reinforcing shell from a polymer composite material;

■ Metal-plastic cylinders (type 2) - thin-walled metal liner and reinforcing sheath from a polymer composite material of the cocoon type over the entire surface;
■ Composite cylinders - polymer liner with mortgage metal elements for attaching the locking equipment and the power shell of the composite material.
Russia has 4 manufacturer of cylinders for compressed natural gas (calculated on pressure 20 MPa), two of them are produced both all-metal and metal-plastic cylinders (see Table 2).

Company such as, "Ruzchimmash" (Ruzaevka, Mordovia) and "ORGENERGOGAZ" (division "Gazprom"), which produced this product, stopped the production of automotive cylinders. Small batchs produce Mashtest NPP (Korolev).
There are a couple of manufacturers of automotive cylinders for CPGs in Ukraine.
This is JSC Berdichev Machine-Building Plant Progress and OJSC Mariupol Metallurgical Combine. Ilyich. " Under the conditions of good demand for the CPG and the developed network of gas stations in Ukraine, manufacturers note a good demand for their products.
Almost all Russian manufacturers of cylinders are focused on the domestic market and the CIS market, although the plant in Orsk received an international certificate and has the ability to supply this products to foreign countries.
World practice shows that about 70-80% of methane cylinders used for transportation of methane - all-metal. And this is despite the fact that the use of metal-plastic cylinders reduces the weight of the set of about 1.3-1.5 times, which is particularly relevant if necessary to establish multiple cylinders. This is due to the fact that the effective technologies for the production of "composite" cylinders appeared much later and, of course, so that metal-plastic cylinders are more expensive than all-metal. However, it should be noted that the use of lightweight cylinders in a long perspective is more profitable because of the weight saving machine leading to fuel economy, and increase the carrying capacity of the vehicle - the latter is especially important when it comes to cargo transport.
HBO - Gas Pallon Equipment
In addition to the cylinders themselves for installing them on a motor vehicle, it is necessary to purchase additionally appropriate gas-ballon equipment (HBO). The owner of the vehicle has two options - to buy a domestic HBO (produced by Ryazan automotive equipment plant, "Votkin Plant of Gas Equipment", etc.) or imported.
Question price
Re-equipment a car for work on the CPG - the pleasure is not cheap. Thus, the cost of the metal bottle is about 7.5-8.5 dollars / l, all-metal - $ 7 / l. Thus, the 50 liter serial metal cylinder will cost a consumer of $ 400, all-metal - 350 dollars, and this is excluding the cost of gas-filled equipment. If we plan to transfer trucks or buses to the CPG, then, depending on the required volume, you will have to install several cylinders, which will lead to the rise in the cost of the set several times. Translation of a car on CPG will cost 1 thousand dollars, freight and buses - above 2.0-2.5 thousand dollars.

The cost of automotive cylinders of the CIS countries by 50 l for liquefied hydrocarbon gas (propanebutan mixture) is equal to $ 30-50, and the cost of converting a passenger car will be about 200-400 dollars, depending on the manufacturer and the type of HBO.
Payback
According to experts, taking into account fuel prices at the beginning of 2006, the payback of automotive vehicles when translating with gasoline to compressed gas, with an average annual run of 60 thousand km ranges from 3 to 5 years, depending on the carrying capacity and type of car. If we take into account the cost of gasoline and greater car mileage since the beginning of the year, then the payback period may be significantly shorter. If you take autotractor equipment, for example, k700 or T150, then thanks to the impressive fuel consumption, payback period is about a year.
It becomes clear why in Western countries and in our capital on alternative gas fuel is primarily translated by urban transport - the savings are too obvious and great.
World experience
By the end of 2005, there were over 4.6 million cars working on the CPG in the world. Undoubted leaders among countries in the art are Argentina, Brazil and Pakistan. The first two countries have a gas-blasting car (GBA) over one million.
AGNKS - Filling Stations
Modern AGNKS must meet the following requirements:
■ Low cost;
■ minimum dimensions and weight;
■ Easy installation and operation;
■ independence from electro and heat supply systems;
■ maximum safety and comfort of working staff;
■ station management automation;
■ Operations of refueling with accuracy sufficient for commercial accounting (up to 2%).
Manufacturers must be prepared to offer customers a sufficient range of productivity AGHNC.

Argentina and Brazil have a well-developed system of automotive gas-filled compressor stations (AGNX). The number of AGNCs operating in these countries by the beginning of 2006 exceeded a thousand, which made it possible to implement Argentine about 280 million cubic meters. m. Gaza per month, and Brazil - about 163 million cubic meters. M. It is noteworthy that the rare rates in the construction of new AGNKS are noted in Pakistan and China, where more than 200 stations are planned. Over 100 AGNKS are being built in Brazil and Iran, but the leader in the number of cars operating in Gaza, - Argentina - has not yet been planning the construction of new agcas.
Russia and the CIS
Despite the significant reserves of natural gas, Russia is still inferior to Ukraine in the use of the CPG and ranks 12th in the world rankings (see Table 3).

The Russian park of cars operating on methane is estimated at about 52 thousand. Today in Russia there are 215 automotive gas-filled compressor stations, 87% of which belongs to Gazprom, their total project capacity
It is about 2 billion cubic meters. m / year, which would allow you to refill 250 thousand cars per year. Through Russian AGNCs in 2005, 237 million cubic meters were implemented. M of Natural Gas (19.75 million cubic meters. m / m.).
Thus, the loading of existing gas stations in Russia is only 10-15%, but in general, in recent years, natural gas consumption by road in Russia is steadily increasing by 25-30% per year.

Douglas Consulting has also created his network of multi-fuel refueling complexes (MAZK), which not only sells gas engine fuel, but also offers a full range of services for the transition of cars for gas. In recent years, other oil and gas producing companies have not paid attention to the CPA. Thanks to Gazprom's policy, in the schemes of gasification of regions, it is mandatory for the construction of AGNKC, entire industries are gradually translated. Thus, OJSC "Russian Railways" successfully implements the program of transferring gas of trunk and maneuver diesel locomotives.
A similar program for gasification of agricultural machinery is prepared. The program "Energy Strategy of Russia for the period up to 2020" states that in the coming years, the consumption of motor fuel will grow most dynamically - by 15-26% by 2010 and by 33-55% by 2020. At the same time, as a motor fuel in a long term, a liquefied and compressed natural gas will be used along with traditional liquid petroleum products (equivalent to 5 million tons of petroleum products by 2010 and up to 10-12 million tons in 2020).
In Tatarstan, the oil Russian region, there are 9 automotive gas-filled compressor stations Tattransgaz LLC with a total capacity of 70.6 million cubic meters. m per year, while their actual load is an average of 7-8% of the design capacity of the small amount of gas-ballon cars. In 2006-2010 Tattransgaz LLC plans to commission another 11 AGNX. In addition, there are dozens of gas distribution stations in the republic capable of obtaining a significant amount of compressed natural gas to refuel vehicles. Thus, the CPGs in Russia has good prospects.
Ukraine
By the end of 2005, there were about 67 thousand gas-filled cars and 147 AGNX in Ukraine. The implementation of the CPG reached 540 million cubic meters. m / year. Initially, most AGNKS were run by Ukvetogaz, but then independent operators began to appear. However, despite the convincing benefits, the CPG potential is not fully implemented. According to the estimates of the structures operating in the Gas area, Ukraine can be converted annually 20-25 thousand vehicles.
One of the probable reasons for the backlog experts consider the absence of modern steel cylinders in Ukraine. Two producers mentioned earlier supply only all-metal cylinders on the domestic market, and they can not fully meet the needs of the market.
Among the tasks requiring decisions, the development of the Network of the GIP, the support of the state and the municipal authorities in this area remains.
Armenia
According to the Ministry of Transport of Armenia, currently about 38 thousand cars are equipped with gas installations, which ranges from 20 to 30% of the cars operated in the country - a rather high indicator. The reason for a sharp increase in the use of KPG is a significant difference between the prices of compressed natural gas and traditional types of automotive fuel. According to forecasts, the high growth rates of car translating on gas in this country are maintained in the coming years, moreover, they can reach 20-30% per year.
Other members of the Commonwealth
Tajikistan is experiencing a significant increase in natural gas consumption by road. Since 1997, after the exit of the relevant decree of the country's government, the number of AGNKS increased by 2006 from 3 to 53. This station is not much productivity. To date, the Network of Belaruscase consists of 24 AGNKS in 17 cities of the republic, 5 mobile aggasses. Served park - 5.5 thousand gas-filled cars. BELTRANSGAZ OJSC has developed a strategy for expanding the use of the CCP, based on the National Gas Expansion Program as a motor fuel, and the concept of the development of the AGNX network. By 2010, it is planned to bring the number of GBA to 14.5 thousand and the implementation of the CPG to 72.3 million cubic meters. m / year.
In Moldova and Uzbekistan, the transfer of vehicles to compressed natural and liquefied gas is not so fast. So, in Moldova there are about 4.5 thousand GBA and only 8 AGNKS. In Uzbekistan, less than 10 thousand units of vehicles operating on gas fuel (less than 1% of the entire automotive park) are used, about 30.0 thousand tons of liquefied hydrocarbon gas and 70-72 million cubic meters are used. M KPG, although natural resources allow you to significantly increase the number of GBA.

Brake for CPG
According to market analysts, there are problems that prevent a more large-scale transition to the CPG. The main one:
■ High cost of transporting transport to work on gas and often - the absence of necessary funds for these purposes in households, utilities, etc.;
■ lack of mass production of already ready-made gas-filled automotive cars in Russian automakers;
■ Not enough developed network of AGNX. In Europe, refueling items are at the maximum distance from each other 30 km, and in the Russian Federation there are highways, where no AGNKS is not numbered for thousands of kilometers.

In addition, it is necessary to solve the issues of a high degree of wear (especially on the reservation of engines) a fleet of municipal property and government agencies, unpreparedness of staff in many regions of the Russian Federation to the service of automobiles working on the CPG. In Russia, the number of companies with certificates and capable of converting vehicles to work on the CPG are limited, in a timely manner to examine the vehicle with HBO. This problem is especially relevant for regions.
Transportation of transport for natural gas - the task is undoubtedly important and in a reasonable approach is economically profitable, but its decision is possible only with the direct participation of the relevant departmental organizations and the support of the state.

Russia, which has the world's largest natural gas reserves, cannot be unable to use the situation to promote CPG and the possible replacement of traditional fuels.

Sergey Kim October 2006.

P.S. From myself I can add that the husband of my relative, working as a taxi driver for more than 15 years, constantly translates its newly purchased cars for methane and after reworking the cost of fuel for the machine's mileage decreases by about 3 times compared to gasoline.

This is, so to speak, immediate experience.