CNG for home

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lainey Howard on February 23, 2009 at 3:47pm

Ken-I can't seem to find an answer this question:

What makes using CNG better than using a renewable biofuel like algae?

Why in the world wouldn't Honda want to intro a CNG car at least in a market where there are CNG stations?

Thanks, Lainey

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Scott on February 23, 2009 at 3:55pm

Lainey, CNG isn't any better than algae, etc...but it IS available now and most homes have it. Also, there is very little if any pollution...plus all the parts and conversion kits are on the market. This is used in Europe today.

As to Honda.....well, they do have a CNG car produced and they are testing it in Calif. However, TBone could NOT purchase their home compressor...they are keeping it themselves. I have no idea why they are not running with this system.

Ken

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lainey Howard on February 25, 2009 at 11:15am

Thanks for the info! It's odd that TBoone has pushed CNG but doesn't have a home compressor available. I'm sure that it is quite different that what a service station would have...Honda may regret this later when someone else comes out with a good home version.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ken Scott on February 25, 2009 at 12:09pm

Not sure why he hasn't gone after the Eco-Fueler corp in Eugene, Oregon. Their unit is really great and small. It cost them a cool million to get it up and running...but Tbone needs to contact them and see what he can do with a small firm.

Meanwhile, I may switch a few vehicles to propane, but first I wish to rebuild my MGA to all electric. I already have the motor...so as soon as my shoulder heals, I will build her and post links to the process. Have a great day.....Ken

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Oscar on February 25, 2009 at 9:13pm

Fuel Maker is creating a network of dealers. A company that has the ability to sell, service and install is eligible. I am a dealer. Honda will sell Fuel Maker. They almost sold it to CE (TBPs company) for $17m but as business goes not all deals are meant to be.

The Phill system is small but that is all that is allowable by law. The National Fire Protection Association writes standards that are adhered to by the fire marshalls and permit issuers. NFPA states that a residential system can compress no more than 50 scf/hr and that storage of gas other than in the tank of the vehicle is prohibited at residential locations. The Phill system adheres to these standards of safety and is certified by the American Gas Association as an appliance which permits installation in the garage. At the allowable 50scf/hr the Phill is suitable for commuters and low use driving. 120 scf = 1 gge.

Out of doors systems like the Q-2 ( about 1 gge/hr) can handle drivers with more mileage needs and multiple vehicles like small fleets.

The Q-8 is a 4 gge system that is designed for commercial and industrial use. The Q series systems are modular and completely custom configurable. These systems are expandable and can be set up for time fill, fast fill, combo fill and for public fueling.

The Phill system now has a $2000 fed tax credit. The Q series systems qualify for 50% fed tax credit up to the $50,000 cap. Some entities can get a $.50 subsidy. (cities, counties, schools, taxis, fuel sellers and some truck fleets) Check your state for other incentives.

This is as good as it is going to get folks. Vote with your wallet and get into CNG. Before the oil goes up again.

Yes I am a dealer but I entered the CNG market before the Pickens Plan and before gasoline lept to the sky last fall. My goals are the environment and national security. I have driven vehicles through the past oil manipulations from the 70s and on. This time is different. Our way of life depends on indepence from foreign oil.

Natural gas is renewable and the environmental impact is much lower than other fuels. We need all the alternate energies we can get now but basically NG is cleaner than the others that are available. NG is 95%+ methane, CH4. The other 5% or less are absorbed hydrocarbons that are considered acceptable for economic reasons. When CH4 is burned the emission is CO2 and water. The comarison to gasoline is that NG has 29% less carbon dioxide, 93% less carbon monoxide, virtually no particulate emissions. CH4 is produced from the digestion of anerobic bacteria as part of the initial degradation process of biological material. CH4 is not a fossil fuel. It is older than oil and newer than compost. The same bacteria are in a cow's gut.

NG is available now. NG is domestic. NG has the existing infrastructure to make it available almost everywhere. NG causes less wear on engines thereby extending the miles between oil changes and the engine will operate for extra time measured in years.

The only cleaner fuel is hydrogen but where I live H2 would be steam reformed from NG. What sense does that make? H2 from CH4.... Hmmmm....

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Oscar on February 25, 2009 at 9:44pm

For some reason the ending of the last post got cut off. Maybe I am too long winded tonight.

The final points are that;

CH4 is actually 20x less of a GH gas after it is burned. I say let's capture and burn all the NG we can!!!

Carbon dioxide gets a bad rap in the news today. I expel CH4 with every breath. Plants thrive on it. There is little we can do to even slow it other than sequestration which will surface perhaps in our grandchildrens lives.

▶ Reply to This