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Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Some interesting facts that I think we all should know

Let see some facts about NGV particularly in Malaysia

• 20% reduction in CO2 emission

• 15% less power in NGV

• Air cleanliness is very important in NGV compared to petrol; “Engine Air Fuel Ratio at idle is affected by air filter cleanliness on NGV mode”

• In Malaysia, Gas Production: 5 billion cubic feet per day and Gas Reserve: 89 trillion cubic feet (2003)

• NGV best suited to fully warmed engine. (That explained to difficulty to start in the morning)

• On Engine cleanliness; “Generally better combustion chamber and carburettor cleanliness but slightly more inlet valve deposit. However this does not affect the
engine operation.”

• Common conversion kit brands: Tartarini, Landi Renzo, Lovato, Tomasetto, Oyrsa, Gaspetrol & Pelmag

Source: Mengat, J., et al Asian Petroleum Technology Symposium
January 18-20, 2006

News from Petronas Dagangan

I read that Petronas at the moment have 52 stations with compressed natural gas refuelling stations.

From Berita Harian dated 10 July 2007:
Petronas Dagangan ketika ini mengendalikan 852 stesen minyak dengan 59 daripadanya dilengkapi kemudahan gas asli cecair (LNG).

More from Berita Harian

Interestingly 58% of their profit comes from retailing NOT from selling petrol or petroleum-related items.

From what I know there's only 42 stations as mentioned in my previous post.
I don't know about the other 17, may be there are still in construction.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Things you need to know that people not always tell you

Summary of my experience so far.

1. It’s not really suitable for you, the young or young-at-heart racer…No power at all.

They say 5% less (I don’t know how they figure it) but for me it’s like eternity waiting it to really GO from 0.

I can feel that drivers behind me start swearing already. I’m also swearing lah…Come on car

2. Thing that people don’t tell you is YOU have to refuel it everyday or twice a day if you run a long distance.

It’s not because NGV consume more but the tank is limited. It’s really a hassle.

You have to queue with taxis and have a lot of patience. Go for as bigger tank as you can fit in your car.

3. The actual refueling process takes time.

Longer than petrol I must say. RM 10.00 on petrol takes about 1 mins, RM 10.00 NGV takes about say 5 mins.

4. Good for nature. Pretty good combustion rate compared to petrol as they say.

I’m not sure really since I’m using it because of it saves money later nature.

5. I was told the lubricant stay clean longer i.e can stretch to 10,000 km service.

I don’t know about it, I tell you whether it’s true or not when the time comes.

6. Although there are increasing no. of NGV refueling station, you still have to print the address of nearest station when you are out of your familiarize area.

However, don’t worry and don’t panic when your LED light turns red, simply switch to no 1 or petrol.

# From my experience, better turn the switch on the roadside (not during the traffic jam with a long queue behind you).

It takes some time for the engine to get used to petrol. If not the engine start jerking or engine cut off during idling. It’s happen to me.

Good for commute to work. Why waste money.


Friday, July 6, 2007

Latest NGV news.....from Iran

I just read that Iran will enforced a new rule that EVERY new car will be fitted with conversion kit to use compressed natural gas (CNG) and petrol.
Iran has announced that it will stop producing purely petrol-driven cars and produce more dual-fuel vehicles, which also run on gas.

The minister of industries said the production of petrol-only cars would stop in just over two weeks' time.

Read more on BBC NEWS

Burning questions....

What is NGV?

NGV stands for ‘Natural Gas for Vehicle’. It stands for vehicle using CNG or rarely in some other countries LNG (liquefied Natural Gas).

CNG is the same as LNG except it’s in a liquid form.

In Malaysia, NGV uses CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and I was told it’s not the same as our cooking gas LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas).

After some digging in the net, I found out that CNG is made by compressing methane (CH4) extracted from natural gas (gaseous form) while LPG made from mainly propane mix with butane and it is in liquid form.

Please note that LPG can also be used as a substitute to petrol. In UK, it is called Autogas


I'm about to running out of gas....where's the station

Where to find your nearest NGV refueling station, ask your installer or

Look at Petronas Dagangan site

Klang Valley (Selangor and WP) - 33 stations
Negeri Sembilan – 2 stations
Johor – 5 stations
Penang – 1 station
Malacca – 1 station


Thursday, July 5, 2007

Fit or not

Thursday

I on my way to work on red light remaining on NGV. I think I can still make it to the nearest NGV station (my usual station).

Half way there, I can feel that the car having less than normal power, so quickly I pull over to the road side and switch to no 1 i.e petrol.

Having a bad experience last time switching in the middle on the road. I decided not this time.

First I turn to 0. The engine quickly cut off. Switch to no. 2. Turn the key on, nothing. So I have to press the pedal first (let the fuel go in) and turn the key.

The engine starts but I have to ramp it for a few minutes, if not the engine will cut off when idling. As if the let the petrol to get used to the system.

After some times, I decided to continue my journey (join back the traffic jam). I’m still have to rev the engine if not it will cut off. Luckily I’m in the middle on slow moving traffic jam, I can turn the gear to neutral and ramp the engine.

At last, I arrived at the NGV station, and go straight to the pump. (not much taxis). In this station, there’s only 4 refuel stations.

I fit the gas nozzle to my ngv connecting valve and waits for the atttendent to release the gas. Then I turn the gas.

During the refueling, I saw one taxi next to me trying to fit the gas head to his taxi but fail to do so, then he reverse the taxi and try the other one and it fits.

When I ask the lady attending the fuel pump, she said that that taxi just replacing the gas inlet point.

Mmmmm,there an incompatibility problem I think...I should remember this to ask my installer about it.