Are Natural Gas Vehicles Safe?

Natural gas is an environmentally clean, plentiful, low-cost, domestically-produced fuel for motor vehicles. But is it a safe fuel? Any automobile fuel can be dangerous if handled improperly. Fuels contain energy which must be released by burning. Gasoline is a potentially dangerous fuel, but, over time, we have learned to use it safely. The same is true of natural gas. Natural gas safely generates our electricity, heats our homes and cooks our meals. But, like gasoline, natural gas must be understood and respected to be used safely.

Natural gas is a naturally occurring fuel which requires very little processing before use. Chemically it normally consists of over 90% methane with smaller amounts of ethane, propane, butane, carbon dioxide and other trace gases. The high methane content gives natural gas its high octane rating (120-130) and clean-burning characteristics, allowing high engine efficiency and low emissions. As with all vehicle fuels, natural gas can be used safely if simple, common sense procedures are followed. In fact, natural gas has safety advantages compared to gasoline and diesel: it is non-toxic, and has no potential for ground or water contamination in the event of a fuel release. An odorant is added to provide a distinctive and intentionally disagreeable smell which is easy to recognize.

The odor is detectable at one-fifth of the gas' lower flammability limit. Natural gas vehicles have an excellent safety record for two primary reasons: the properties of the fuel itself and the integrity of the natural gas vehicle and its fuel delivery system. Natural gas has a very limited range of flammability - it will not burn in concentrations below about five percent or above about 15% when mixed with air. Gasoline and diesel burn at much lower concentrations and ignite at lower temperatures. Although it takes very little energy to ignite a flammable mixture of air and natural gas, gasoline, or diesel, natural gas burns at a somewhat lower temperature.

From the gas field to the vehicle's engine, natural gas requires very little processing to make it suitable for use as a fuel. Gasoline and diesel must be processed from crude oil in large and complex oil refineries. After water vapor, sulfur and heavy hydrocarbons are removed, natural gas flows by pipeline (the safest way to transport energy) directly to the fueling station where it is compressed for use. Alternatively it may be liquefied at cryogenic temperatures on site or at a central facility and delivered by truck. Gasoline and diesel are delivered to fueling stations by tank trucks over the highway. At a compressed natural gas fueling station the gas is compressed before being provided to vehicles at 3000 to 3600 pounds per square inch (psi). Stations can deliver a "fast fill" to vehicles in minutes or, using a "slow fill" strategy, in a few hours to overnight.

Although the use of high storage pressures might appear dangerous, compression, storage and fueling of natural gas vehicles meet stringent industry and government safety standards. Natural gas powered vehicles are designed and built to be safe both in normal operation and in crashes. New natural gas vehicles are subjected to the same crash tests as other vehicles. Natural gas vehicle fuel systems must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 303 and 304. Natural gas cylinders are much thicker and stronger than gasoline or diesel tanks. Industry standards require them to withstand 11,250 fill cycles, and endure far beyond normal environmental and service damage risks.

Although there are approximately 85,000 natural gas vehicles now operating in the United States, there has not been a fuel tank rupture in over two years. In Italy, with over 300,000 NGVs in operation, there was only one fuel tank rupture during the last three years.

In conclusion, technical data, appropriate safety regulations and years of experience show natural gas vehicles to be as safe as, or safer than, conventionally fueled vehicles

Why the Conservation of Energy and Natural Resources Is So Important

Enjoyment of life and natural energy are intertwined as to the continuance of existence and enjoyment of life here on earth. For without natural energy, life would not be enjoyed to the fullest. Natural energy is important not only to the living things but also to the earth as a whole. They come from natural resources such as water, sun, air, and minerals. Conservation of natural energy is essential because it allows us to save things that can be used anytime when we need them in order for us to stay alive. We cannot surely survive without air to breathe, water to drink and food to eat. Natural energy itself produces a vast advantage on the part of the people.

There are two classes of natural energy, the renewable energy and non renewable energy. The energy which is produced from natural resources which can be constantly generated and can be use whenever we need them is called renewable energy. The most common example for this is the solar energy and wind energy. The sun is one of the sources of solar energy that generates the richest of energy obtainable on earth. The energy from the sun is useful as it can be transformed to electricity. The wind energy is also one of the outstanding resources use to produce electric energy. The windmill or the wind turbine is a machine that transforms wind into electric energy and it harnesses the natural resources which is the current of air. While the energy which is taken from the sources that are available in short supply of quantity and can be used only for a short period of time is called non-renewable sources. They cannot be regenerated and will usually be consumed. Non-renewable sources include oil, coal, fossil fuels and natural gas. They are not environment friendly and one of the causes of global warning.

There are lots of reasons that all of us most consider why the conservation of natural energy and natural resources is important:

1. It has a big effect on the atmosphere for it save the environment from damaging thus preserving the natural resources as well as human life.


2. For the family who is in a tight budget, it is beneficial to them for they can save a lot of money out from the electric bill usage down to the fuel consumption.


3. Natural energy helps in eliminating the consumption of fossil fuel therefore preventing air pollution.


4. Reducing the effect of global warming and climate change which is usually caused by greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide.


5. Conserving undeveloped lands help in protecting wildlife which is already endangered nowadays.


6. Natural energy is cost effective as it requires low maintenance.


7. It is not only important for our present existence but also for the next generation.

We should be thankful about the benefits of the natural energy to our life. We can help in conserving our natural resources by planting trees and recycling waste material which can substantially reduce the need for energy. Those are the simple things that we can do for the conservation of the environment. Natural energy must not be wasted and should be taken care of because they are indeed part of our daily lives. Love and respect are what they need as they are giving us the main things that we want in life. Mother Nature must be given all the appreciation not to be abused such that, it will give us the things we need in our way of life not only in this present time but also to those generation to come.

Much as what we want to do the things here on earth for the satisfaction of life, nevertheless, we will not disregard the paramount importance which is the respect accorded to the mother earth for purposes of making it the best place to live with, for it is the source of all natural energy that can be used of by the people. Development of science in discovering the natural energy should not run a foul as to the basic tenet of preserving the mother earth. While it is true that it can help augment the needs of the people for the enjoyment of life, it is notwithstanding the fact that giving value in the preservation of all natural resources that earth provides must be given all weight than enjoyment of life itself. By its very own purpose, energy derived from the universe must be by nature has a multitude positive effect of the people's survival.

For all intents and purposes, in order to enjoy life to its fullest sense natural energy must be preserved and conserved for its continuance supply however limited, but scientific discoveries must be in concurrence to the preservation of the mother earth. By considering the advancement of technology, it is not impossible that we will be using natural energy as one of the most powerful sources of energy here on earth