Would you buy a NG powered truck?

[two_bit_score]

If the engines are built specifically for LPG or CNG, not this dual fuel nonsense, they can actually make as much or more power than gasoline.

I think that is the key. An engine built specifically for CNG and nothing added on for dual purpose.




.

 

[timster2]

My specific work facility has a chevy 2006 HD 2500 4x4 with snow plow. My main complaint is the mileage. When used for plowing it averages 75-100 miles per tank. On days when we plow all day it's refueled three times.
Also the fuel tank takes up 1/4 of the bed against the cab. And you need be careful nothing rolls into it or damages it.
I also believe it takes approx 65 gallons of coolant. Lines run all around the fuel tank to keep temps down.

Your truck may only the equivalent of ten to twelve gallons of gasoline in the CNG tanks. Plowing snow I think you would be lucky to get ten mpg, so refueling after a hundred miles is not too bad. As for the 65 gallons of coolant that does not make any sense. There is no problem with temperature in regards to CNG. There is no need to heat or cool the fuel tanks.

As the temperature of the fuel drops the pressure also drops, about a hundred psi for every ten degrees. The normal fill pressure is 3600 psi which is the fill pressure at seventy degrees F. If the temperature is thirty degrees a full tank would only register 3200 psi on the fuel gauge but still would be full. The pressure regulator reduces the pressure to about 150 psi or less before it goes to the engine.

There is no reason to heat or cool the fuel tanks to maintain fuel pressure. The only modification to the cooling system is to provide some coolant to the pressure regulator to heat it. This is only necessary to prevent any moisture that may be in the fuel from freezing at the regulator. This is usually done by taping into the heater lines, supply and return, and running a couple of 3/8 lines to the pressure regulator. I have built and supervised a fleet of many CNG vehicles from class 8 trucks to passenger cars and pickup trucks.