Mixing of Air with CNG

June 1, 2010

It is not practical to mix air with CNG due to safety, technical and financial
reasons explained as under:

Difference between Properties of Air and Natural Gas

The physical and chemical properties of natural gas vary, which affect the
design parameter of compressor such as rod loading, material selection, etc. For
instance, the density of air is 1.293 kg/m3 whereas the density of natural gas is
about 0.9 kg/m3 at S.T.P. The compressibility factor, heat transfer properties and
chemical composition of air and CNG are also different. Thus, if the mixing of air
and CNG is done then there is great probability of plant breakdown which may
result in heavy maintenance cost.

Positive Suction Compressor

Reciprocating CNG compressors are positive displacement machines and
have positive suction i.e. gas is positively provided at the suction. The CNG
compressors do not create vacuum pressure for suction as in the case of air
compressor. For this reason, the automatic pneumatic/solenoid valve installed at
the suction line of CNG compressor which block/stop the flow of gas when it is
not running. In addition, any opening in the suction line of compressor will result
in leakage of gas rather in suction of air.

Low Suction Pressure Safety

The CNG compressors are incorporated with low inlet pressure safety
switch to prevent the ingress of air at suction when the inlet pressure is low.
Suction pressure of gas at inlet remains higher than atmospheric pressure i.e.
29.5 psi absolute and thus air ingress is not possible.

Installation of Air Compressor at suction

If the station owner/operator wants to mix air and CNG then he has to
install an air compressor at suction of the compressor; as the gas inlet pressure
of CNG compressor is higher than the atmospheric pressure.

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 Mixing of Air with CNG
June 1, 2010

Explosive Mixture
The mixing of air with CNG will result in explosive mixture that is stored in
the CNG storage cylinders installed at the station which is a serious threat to life
and property safety of CNG station equipment and manpower. It is inconceivable
that CNG station owner/operator take such a big risk just to earn few more
Rupees.

Costing
In order to calculate the production price of CNG per kg It is not adequate
to consider only the cost of natural gas, costs such as electricity bill, salaries,
land rent, plant depreciation, mark up on lease, security deposits to Gas Utility
Company, insurance, equipment maintenance, operational loses, taxes, fees and
other expenses, all need to be considered for an accurate picture of the final cost
of CNG per kg. Natural gas is only 47% (i.e. Rs 26) of sale price of CNG Rs 55.3
per kg, hence mixing air in CNG is not profitable as it appears.

Profit margin
There is roughly 20-30% profit margin on the sale of CNG. Therefore,
mixing of air is not required to earn greater profit, only greater sales volume is
required to earn more profit.

Air/fuel ratio
The CNG has a very low explosive range i.e. LEL is 5%; HEL is 15%. The
mixing of air with CNG will result in a too lean air-fuel mixture in the combustion
chamber (cylinder of engine block) of the vehicle as air is also inducted by
carburetor through air filter. The air-fuel mixture will not ignite even if there is
minor quantity of air with CNG in the Vehicle CNG cylinder.
Prepared by:
Asim Riaz,
Research Engineer
Islamabad, Pakistan
Email: asim78@gmail.com
Mobile: 0345-5100667

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