Working Group on LNG & L-CNG

Natural gas is an organic compound, composed primarily of methane (CH4). It is commonly used in homes and industry for heating and cooking. Additionally it can be used as a motor fuel in cars, trucks, buses and any application where diesel or petrol fuel is used.

The use of natural gas in internal combustion engines has many advantages; especially the low emissions of CO2 and pollutants and the higher efficiency of combustion. Natural gas as a fuel has the potential to reduce environmental impact significantly and to increase powertrain efficiency when appropriate technology is used.

It can be used for transport in 2 forms: compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Compressed Natural Gas, (CNG) is natural gas that has been compressed so that it can be transported in pressure vessels at around 200 bar.

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas cooled down to -162ºC. At this temperature it condenses into a liquid, which then reduces the volume of the gas. Thus it can be stored in smaller gas tanks, but such gas tanks have to have a better insulation accordingly to minimise the emerging heating process. The higher energy density of LNG compared to CNG increases the vehicle's range.

The technologies needed for running vehicles on liquefied natural gas are already available on the market, but for a better analysis of the market potentials for the use of LNG or L-CNG as a fuel, this working group puts focus on identifying new stakeholders on the consumer side. It furthermore tries to identify any required technical work regarding ISO standards and UN ECE regulations concerning onboard use of LNG tanks, also ISO or CEN standards concerning LNG or L-CNG fuelling station equipment.

Enric Boné
Working Group Coordinator

NGVA Europe... for sustainble mobility