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Natural Gas Powered Trucks

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by comoes3, Apr 19, 2013.

  1. Apr 19, 2013 #1
    comoes3

    comoes3 Light Load Member

    52
    9
    Mar 23, 2013
    Austin TX
    0
    I have been reading a lot about natural gas powered trucks and when you compare the price of diesel to the price of natural gas the cost is about $2 per gallon with the same mpg. With diesel prices at $4 per gallon that is a tremendous saving for anyone doing interstate loads.

    What do you think? Your input is very much appreciated.
     
    comoes3, Apr 19, 2013
    comoes3, Apr 19, 2013
    #1
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  3. Apr 19, 2013 #2
    DONDAMIAN

    DONDAMIAN Light Load Member

    54
    16
    Feb 25, 2013
    nj
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    i dont know exatly how would it be with trucks but i know some countries are gradually switching all the cars to natural gas but the gas tanks are huge
     
    DONDAMIAN, Apr 19, 2013
    DONDAMIAN, Apr 19, 2013
    #2
  4. Apr 19, 2013 #3
    Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

    2,921
    2,867
    Sep 18, 2007
    Weatherford, TX
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    That is the problem. Unless they get it to where you can use compressed liquid Natural Gas instead of just compressed Nat Gas they can't get any decent mileage without huge tanks. And it takes serious pressure to compress it to a liquid. Then it can be quite dangerous. Had a friend who was in business for about 10 yrs. His uncle was a VP of Dow Chemicals. He had side business and was trying to develop catalyst to make compressed go much longer. Never did and they shut down. It may take off still on OTR trucks. Just may have to stop to fuel every 2-400 miles. On local city trucks it is doing very well. Only report I have seen that didn't like it was Dallas Police. Said it made cars too slow to chase and had to fuel too often. But Dallas Gov at all levels is so messed up you can't put any stock in them. lol
     
    Big Duker, Apr 19, 2013
    Big Duker, Apr 19, 2013
    #3
  5. Apr 19, 2013 #4
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,750
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    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    The gas will be refrigerated if it is liquid, the pressure required to liquify methane, (natural gas is mostly methane) is very high, and then allowed to turn to vapor to keep the pressure at 100 psi. The boiling of the liquid will help to keep the bulk of the liquid in a liquid state


    Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas, so there are studies being done about how much will get out into the air from the operations, liquifying, fueling, and operating. It's a problem that other industries have to address as well.

    The natural gas truck engines currently are made by Cummins,and are called Westport, on the same assembly lines as the diesels, but are spark ignition, Volvo is said to be working on a compression ignition LNG engine.

    Finally, the gallon equivalent of LNG is a larger volume compared to diesel, gallon for gallon, it has about half as many BTUs as diesel and there won't be an odorant added, the trucks Freightliner is selling are equipped with gas detectors to signal leaking fuel. Natural gas is lighter than air so it won't poo,l but a confined space filled with gas is a potential explosion hazard.


    Flying J is putting in fuel stations at many of those truck stops in the mid west, and the Pilot at exit 322, Ryan RD, south of Milwaukee on I-94, because the J that was there is now a Loves.
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2013
    25(2)+2, Apr 19, 2013
    25(2)+2, Apr 19, 2013
    #4
  7. Apr 20, 2013 #5
    Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

    4,090
    1,700
    Feb 13, 2012
    Philadelphia Pa
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    First off there are 2 types of engines, CNG and LNG.

    Problems with both:
    No Jake brake
    Heavy weight (compared to diesel)
    Limited fuel infrastructure
    Limited range (compared to diesel)
    Worse mpG then diesel

    Pros of both:
    Cheaper fuel


    For CNG, the problem is the high pressure. It makes it more dangerous but the tanks have gotten a lot better. Range is severely limited.

    For LNG the range is longer, but you loose upto 2% of your fuel per day. This pollutes pretty badly. This also poses a hazard for indoor shops and loading areas. Since its supper cold, safety equipment must be worn while fueling.

    Since the range is so poor, it can really only be used for short trips until the fuel network is better then diesel. Also you cant haul as much weight so that will cut into your margins if you haul close to 80k all the time. Also, I love my jake and would never drive a truck without one. Since CNG/LNG dont have as much pressure while burning, jakes pretty much just dont work. Add in the complexity of spark plugs and/or using 20% diesel to ignight and you wont find me driving one anytime soon.
     
    Richter, Apr 20, 2013
    Richter, Apr 20, 2013
    #5
  8. Apr 20, 2013 #6
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

    14,963
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    Oct 3, 2011
    Longview, TX
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    Cheaper fuel ... for the time being ... until future demand rises. But I don't see them being practical for anything except perhaps local operations.
     
    STexan, Apr 20, 2013
    STexan, Apr 20, 2013
    #6
    Richter Thanks this.
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