Going Green and CNG

Perhaps the issue of most concern to people regarding natural gas powered vehicles is safety. Many people believe natural gas to be far too volatile a fuel to be used in vehicles. However, a review of some of the properties of CNG reveals that this view of volatility and danger is ill-founded. Flammability and Ignition Temperature Natural gas has a limited range of flammability, i.e. the correct mixture of air and fuel to burn. This range for natural gas is approximately 5-15% and the ignition temperature of natural gas is approximately 1100 degrees F. Both gasoline and diesel have lower flammability mixture ratios as well as ignition temperatures than natural gas; thus making natural gas a safer choice. Fuel Density Natural gas is lighter than air, thus generally rises and dissipates into the air if a leak occurs. Contrast this to gasoline which pools upon the ground presenting a clear danger in case of a leak or accident. Vehicle Safety The fuel tank and associated tubing on a