CNG Pickup Trucks Coming Near You !

[beppington]

Propane boat motors by Lehr:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trJ5xPQO25k]Lehr Propane Outboard Motor - Offered by iboats.com - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Johnp33]

I love the stories about units blowing up and things but except for the fact that a propane vehicle can not go into underground parking they are as safe as any vehicle. The liquid when it turns to a gas, freezes and dissipates, it takes an exact percentage of gas to air to explode.
Gm sold a bunch of the pick-ups in Edmonton, in 1981, when the price of oil dropped and a bunch of companies went broke, they were brown step side 1/2 tons all propane. made as a propane engine no duel fuel BS.
Freightliner sells Natural gas class eights as does Peterbilt. The tecnoligy was developed in Port Kells B.C. at Westburn in Cummins engines.
The only thing needed is a distribution network,

 

[k0ua]

Propane Gas Blast at a Carwash Kills Employee; 15 Others Hurt

UPI

Published: March 2, 1981







SPRINGFIELD, Mo., March 1 A propane gas explosion destroyed a carwash on a busy city street yesterday, killing one man and injuring at least 15 persons.
Fire Marshal Dan Thurman said a hose on a liquid propane gas tank mounted on a pickup truck was damaged, apparently after becoming entangled on a rotary brush at the carwash. Propane fumes filled the building and ignited seconds later, he said.
The carwash was demolished by the explosion and several nearby businesses were damaged by the ensuing fire. James Brown, 18 years old, of Springfield, an employee at the carwash, was killed. Fifteen persons have been hospitalized with injuries, Mr. Thurman said. Others were thought to have suffered minor injuries.





I was thinking it was mid 80,s but apparently 1981.. wow how time flies


James K0UA

 

[timster2]

Fuel system design has come a long way in forty years. Now excess flow valves shut off the fuel if a line is compromised. Propane is heaver than air and hugs the floor, CNG is lighter than air and floats up; somewhat safer.

Other countries have been using it for years and have a lot of experience. It is only now with high gasoline and Diesel prices that Americans are taking a second look. Diesel passenger cars are very popular and commonplace in Europe CNG is popular in south America.

It will take a long time for CNG to catch on here. Its the old chicken and egg argument. Which comes first, build the vehicles or build the fuel stations. Fuel stations owners don't want to invest in the CNG dispensing systems unless there are enough vehicles to sell fuel to and on the other hand who wants to buy a vehicle you cant get fuel for.

 

[rsewill]

It will take a long time for CNG to catch on here. Its the old chicken and egg argument. Which comes first, build the vehicles or build the fuel stations. Fuel stations owners don't want to invest in the CNG dispensing systems unless there are enough vehicles to sell fuel to and on the other hand who wants to buy a vehicle you cant get fuel for.

The same has been said for Diesel. Only place you could get it was at truck stops. Now it I'd available at many car stations.

Truck stops, at least the busy ones, will add infrastructure as demand increases. I would hope that the time taken to fill with CNG will have a solution. I expect only trucks will be using it much as was the case with Diesel 20 years ago but that will eventually put a nice dent in our net imports of oil.

 

[riptides]

Please read this safety report, submitted in 1991.

Where are the conspiracy people when you need them?

http://www.cryogenicfuelsinc.com/includes/Liquid Methane Safety Report.pdf

 

[homeputter]

Great, informative post.

 

[Haoleguy]

Many thanks to all of you for the practical schooling you've given me. Seems like municipal fleets will continue to be the testing ground for many truck vehicles....sometimes by choice and sometimes by political push. Enjoyed the NYC fleet description as it had hybrid-x-diesel mentioned. My naive thinking believes that is not far from seeing in cars and trucks. Thanks again...Gary