Public transportation operators fret over CNG change
Public transportation operators fret over CNG change
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Demands for public transportation operators to switch to
compressed natural gas (CNG) have mounted following the fuel
price hikes and a corresponding rise fares.
However, converting vehicles to CNG is not easy as it may
sound.
PT Api Biru staffer Eko Maryono told The Jakarta Post on
Wednesday that conversion would require a lot of work, including
the fitting of high pressure cylinders and a converter kit.
PT Api Biru on Jl. Mampang Prapatan 60, South Jakarta is the
only official workshop offering the fitting and maintenance of
cylinders and conversion kits in the city. The company, owned by
the Blue Bird Group, also operates a CNG station.
State-owned oil company PT Pertamina says that two other
workshops, located on Jl. Cempaka Putih Dalam and Jl. Gunung
Sahari in Central Jakarta, also offers the service, but local
residents told the Post on Wednesday that they have either closed
down or moved.
Eko said that less and less vehicle owners were using CNG as
the government had stopped promoting CNG use.
According to Eko, last year his workshop only installed six
cylinders and converter kits, while only around five vehicle
owners showed up for maintenance work each month.
"But we still have hundreds of ready-stock cylinders and
converter kits here," he said, adding that his workshop was ready
to install cylinders and converter kits as well as maintain
equipment that had already been installed.
He stressed, however, that his company would only check
cylinders and conversion kits that had been installed by PT Api
Biru.
"Many car owners ask us to replace parts here so that they can
undergo maintenance," he explained.
He said that the cost of installing cylinders and converter
kits ranged from Rp 7 million (US$777) to Rp 9 million for cars,
depending on their respective CCs, and around Rp 20 million for
buses, trucks and other large vehicles.
To buy and install a converter kit on its own without a high
pressure cylinder, the cost was around Rp 3 million for a car,
said Eko.
For the sake of safety, Eko gave the following advice. First,
do not make any alteration to a converter kit. Second, have the
cylinder checked at least once in five years. Third, tune up the
engine regularly. Fourth, clean the filter after each 2,500
kilometers.
He said that using CNG was safe as long as car owners complied
with all the safety requirements.
"Don't worry about the safety aspects. Gas is safer than
petrol if it is treated properly," he stressed.
Basic components of CNG converter kit
1. Pressure regulator: It provides the system with fuel at a
consistent operating pressure.
2. Mixer: Mechanical device that uses the venturi principle to
ensure correct air/fuel mixing in both stationary and dynamic
conditions.
3. High pressure solenoid: It allows gas to flow through only
when the engine is running and the switch is in the "gas"
position
4. Petrol Solenoid valve: It cuts off the flow of petrol to the
engine during gas operation.
5. Filling valve: This device is installed in the engine
compartment between the storage cylinder and the regulator, and
includes a connection to the refueling system and manual ball
device to open/shutoff gas in case of an emergency or for
maintenance.
6. Pressure indicator: Displays the level of natural gas
remaining in the storage cylinder.
7. Change over switch: an electronic control module whose
function is to allow the user to select the desired fuel
(gas/petrol) at any time.
8. High pressure piling: the gas from the cylinder goes to the
engine compartment through a pressure pipe which is also
connected with the refueling system.
Source: WWW://CNG.com