How to do Natural Gas Conversion

Natural gas, particularly compressed natural gas or CNG, is among the most feasible alternative fuel source options today. Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is composed mainly of methane and other hydrocarbons. It is usually found in oil fields, coal beds and natural gas fields. Before it can be used as fuel, natural gas undergoes extensive processing that separates all the other materials from the methane. At present, natural gas is tapped mainly for residential domestic use such as cooking and heating via piped-in public utility service. There is a well-established network of natural gas pipelines that carry natural gas to consumers.

Despite the widespread use in domestic households, natural gas has yet to gain a bigger share of the automotive market. In fact, according to the Natural Gas Vehicles for America, there are only 120,000 natural gas vehicles in America today. Only one passenger vehicle model that runs on CNG, the Honda Civic GX, is available to the general public.

As an alternative to purchasing an NGV, vehicle owners can start using natural gas through natural gas conversion. This is the process of converting a single fuel vehicle into a bi-fuel system by retrofitting a CNG conversion kit. CNG conversion can be done in practically all vehicles that run on gasoline, even in vehicles with electronic fuel injection. CNG components are installed in gasoline-powered vehicles to make CNG the primary fuel.

Aside from the CNG conversion kit, a CNG tank or cylinder is also necessary. This tank contains the CNG safely within an incredibly strong shell with pressures of up to 3600psi. From the CNG cylinder, stainless steel tubes and pipes deliver the CNG to the regulator whose function is to reduce the pressure of the gas. The gas is then fed into a fuel-air mixer then into the air intake manifold where it is prepared for combustion. CNG conversion kits also come with a fuel selection switch installed in the dashboard which allows the driver to switch from natural gas to gasoline easily.

Natural gas conversion services are now offered by several companies in the US such as CNG United. There, CNG experts will install top of the line CNG conversion kits from the leaders in the CNG industry. Natural gas conversion usually takes about 10 shop hours. For quotes on natural gas conversion products and services, check out CNG United’ website now.