Fueling a Natural Gas Vehicle
Refuelling of NGV's is easier and safer than refuelling with gasoline or diesel - it takes about the same amount of time, but you don't get smelly stains on your shoes or spills down the side of your vehicle.
The process will differ only slightly, depending on whether you are using compressed natural gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), or a blend of hydrogen and CNG (HCNG). The refuelling nozzle simply clicks onto the receptacle on the vehicle and you are ready to fill. When the cylinder is full, the dispenser automatically shuts off and you are ready to disconnect again.
CNG Fuel – Temperature Effects
CNG is typically stored at 3,600 psi at 70ºF. If ambient temperature goes up or down, pressure also
correspondingly goes up or down.
During filling, gas heats up as it compresses in the tanks.
Typically, stations only fill to service pressure of 3,600 psi.
- End up with 3,600 psi at some elevated temperature (say 100ºF) in the tanks.
- As gas cools to ambient (say 70ºF), pressure of gas decreases.
- End result is less gas -instead of having a fill of 3,600 psi at 70ºF, one has say 3,400 psi at 70ºF.
CNG Filling – Full Fills
To prevent underfills – 2 approaches:
- Tanks can be slowly filled to allow heat to dissipate.
- Tanks can be pressured beyond service pressure, i.e. fill so that one gets higher pressure at a higher temperature, thus cooling to 3,600 psi at 70ºF. Tanks actually designed to be filled up to 1.25 times service pressure (all qualification testing done at 1.25 times)
Public Fueling Stations
Much like refuelling with gasoline or diesel. The driver pulls up at a dispenser, switches the engine off and then connects the nozzle to the receptacle. Some nozzles have an isolator fitted, which prevents the engine from being switched on while connected to the dispenser.
In some converted vehicles, the refuelling receptacle may be located under the hood, on the side, in the bed or in the trunk. In most OEM vehicles though, the receptacle is located where the gasoline or diesel inlet is.
Home Refueling
It is possible to fuel your vehicle at home or on your commercial property. Devices connect to your natural gas line so you can fuel your vehicle in the comfort of your own home or at your business. On location fueling qualifies for a .50 cent tax credit for every gallon equivalent of natural gas you use. For on location refueling devices click here: http://www.fuelmaker.com
Click here for list of cng fueling stations in the USA.
CNG Stations in Asheville Area
1. NC-CNG Corp - CNG Station (No LPG)
2618 Hendersonville Rd., Arden (South Asheville), NC 28704
Open to Public
Fast Fill - 3000 psi and 3600 psi
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Accepts Credit Cards and Fleet Prokee
Ph: 828-210-8146
2. City of Asheville - CNG Station (No LPG)
45 McCormick Place, Asheville, NC 28801
Open to Public
Fast Fill - 3000 psi and 3600 psi
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Accepts Credit Cards
828-259-5700
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
If the receptacle on the vehicle and the nozzle on the dispenser do not match, do NOT use an adaptor to refuel the vehicle. Industry standard nozzles and receptacles have been designed with optimal safety in mind to prevent such accidents.
