Message from Boone

Comment by Sam Fleet on August 31, 2009 at 1:17pm

This is GREAT!!! Atlanta Team's submission for ARRA funding announced Wed Aug 26th Atlanta is getting $15million in Federal matching money some of which is to be used for multiple CNG stations as well as vehicles, primarily for Dekalb County and UPS but 4 of the refueling locations will be open for public access like the Clean Energy station in College Park.

Comment by Jeff Grant on August 31, 2009 at 1:24pm

Good start! We need a car manufacturer to offer a vehicle (hybrid?) that runs on natural gas. We can start by letting them know what we want. It will take them a few years to go from conception to marketing; refueling stations will pop up all over the country when the trucks need it. Now is the time.

Comment by Amos A Atoll on August 31, 2009 at 4:27pm

Table of GGE

Fuel Gallon Gasoline Equivalent BTUs/Unit

Gasoline (base)[2] 1 US gallon 114,000 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (conventional, summer)[2] 0.996 US gallon * 114,500 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (conventional, winter)[2] 1.013 US gallon * 112,500 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (reformulated gasoline, ethanol)[2] 1.019 US gallon * 111,836 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (reformulated gasoline, ETBE)[2] 1.019 US gallon * 111,811 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (reformulated gasoline, MTBE)[2] 1.020 US gallon * 111,745 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (10% MBTE)[3] 1.02 US gallon 112,000 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (regular unleaded)[4] 1 US gallon 114,100 BTU/gallon
Diesel #2[4] 0.88 US gallons 129,500 BTU/gallon
Biodiesel (B100)[4] 0.96 US gallons 118,300 BTU/gallon
Bio Diesel (B20)[4] 0.90 US gallons 127,250 BTU/gallon
Liquid natural gas (LNG)[4] 1.52 US gallons 75,000 BTU/gallon
Compressed natural gas (CNG)[4] 126.67 cu. ft 900 BTU/cu. ft
Hydrogen at Atmospheric Pressure 357.37 cu. ft 319 BTU/cu. ft[5]
Hydrogen by weight 1.004 kilograms (2.21 lb) *[6] 119.9MJ/kg (51,532 Btu/lb)[7]
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)[4] 1.35 US gallons 84,300 BTU/gallon
Methanol fuel (M100)[4] 2.01 US gallons 56,800 BTU/gallon
Ethanol fuel (E100)[4] 1.500 US gallons 76,100 BTU/gallon
Ethanol (E85)[4] 1.39 US gallons 81,800 BTU/gallon
Jet fuel (naphtha)[8] 0.97 US gallons 118,700 BTU/gal
Jet fuel (kerosene)[8] 0.90 US gallons 128,100 BTU/gal
Electricity[4] 33.40 Kilowatt hours * 3,413 BTU/kWh[9][10]

*calculated based on 114,000 BTU/gallon base gasoline

Compressed Natural Gas

One GGE of natural gas is 126.67 cubic feet. This volume of natural gas has the same energy content as one US gallon of gasoline (based on lower heating values: 900 BTU/CF of natural gas and 115,000 BTU/gallon of gasoline).[11]

One gallon of diesel fuel = 0.133680556
One GGE of CNG pressurized at 2,400 psi is 0.77 cubic feet. This volume of CNG at 2,400 psi has the same energy content as one US gallon of gasoline (based on lower heating values: 148,144 BTU/CF of CNG and 115,000 BTU/gallon of gasoline.[11] Using Boyle's Law, the equivalent GGE at 3,600 psi is 0.51 cubic feet which corresponds to 14.5 liters or 3.82 actual US gallons.

The National Conference of Weights & Measurements (NCWM) has developed a standard unit of measurement for compressed natural gas, defined in the NIST Handbook 44 Appendix D as follows: "1 Gasoline [US] gallon equivalent (GGE) means 2.567 kg (5.660 lb) of natural gas."[12]

When consumers refuel their CNG vehicles in the USA, the CNG is usually measured and sold in GGE units. This is fairly helpful as a comparison to gallons of gasoline.

Comment by glenn green on September 1, 2009 at 3:25am

Lets keep the army marching straight to Washington D. C.

Comment by KENN DRESCHER on September 1, 2009 at 8:56am

When identifying vehicles as NAT GAS, I've learned that there are a few different types of both vehicles, and uncompatable "Gas" fuels. Uncovered a lot of info just by researching... and via the Reform-Autos STAY ALIVE = 75 m.p.h. Yahoo Group. Link to message, and thread: Re: Daily Pickens: Pickens Plan Media Coverage 8.21.09: Natural Gas Prices Plummet to a Seven-Year Low.. begs a ?.

There is: LNG, which I've learned is expensive to produce. Is imported. Requires specific storage tanks. And is exotic as vehicle fuel. Must remain liquid until end point of use in a dedicated large truck. This is not a fuel for everyday drivers, and cannot be substituted for CNG.

CNG, is apparently what is mostly meant when some1 refers to a NAT GAS powered vehicle. EX: ReFueling the Civic GX.

And here Propane is mentioned. If you've ever worked in a factory, or warehouse, you've probably seen Propane fueled Forklifts, and other 1, and 2 cylinder Units. They've been in use for years. I've seen some conversions to street vehicles, mostly compact trucks, Gators, to use propane also. Problem is unless their usually on a Company Construction site, or Movie Set. Drivers may have a difficult time purchasing for vehicles, which due to lack of highway taxes, is prohibited in many places. Believe me I've learned that underlying taxes have interfered with a lot of senseable progress of automotive technology.

I've also called the Laclede Gas Co. in St Louis, MO. They've actually shut down most of their public CNG refueling stations. As well as discontinued use of NAT GAS as a dual fuel in their own service trucks! As of: 9/01/09 I'm unaware of any NAT GAS as an Alt Automotive Fuel Activism in this area, except of course, myself - and I could use some assistance!

As far as CNG vehicles, most of the major Automotive manufactures already produce them. Their widely used in many other Countrys, including Iran. What's needed are Plants to produce them here in the USA. Suggestion: There's an idle Dodge 150 series truck plant in Valley Park, MO. Ford announced last week that it is ramping up production of 150 series trucks. Why not seek to re-up production of Dodge 150 series trucks, at the Plant just west of Metro St Louis, as CNG vehicles? Dedicated. Not conversions.

Having CNG refueling stations open up across the Country will be nice, but won't be of much service if Americans can't buy CNG fueled vehicles in the USA, made in the USA!

Comment by David L. Whiteman on September 1, 2009 at 9:19pm

Kenn, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) has operated CNG vehicles (converted) since the 80's when I worked for them. They were only used by meter readers and parts delivery but had promise of developing. The main drawback that I remember was the space the 3 tanks took up in the back of the Ford Ranger pickups they used. Trouble is, gas was cheap and not much exitement about it then. As far as I know, they still have refueling stations at their own facilities, but could be made to be open to the publc with a way of metering and charging the cost. I would recommend to Boone to get with those that are familiar already and use those funds to get public stations operating.
As far as vehicles, Honda Civic is the only vehicle available with CNG fueled, built here. To me the logical next move would be using the small, efficient CNG fueled engines to power the generation for electric hybrids in larger vehicles. Look how the diesel engines run the electric motors in a locomotive engine.
By the way, your right, LNG is way different. Natural gas has to be cooled to approx. -280 deg.F for it to liquefy. That is how the Gas Co. stores large quantities to hold a winter supply for the extra demand.

Comment by James C Orr on September 4, 2009 at 6:48pm

The results are showing that your army is strong and can make a difference. I am proud to be part of it.
Thank you Mr. Pickens!!

Comment by Jane Nelson on October 25, 2009 at 5:53pm

Good work, keep it up, America, the world and the environment are all behind you!

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