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After-Market Conversions: Advanced NGV Modifier Program
Most of the NGVs on the road today are aftermarket vehicle conversions --- gasoline-powered vehicles
that have been adapted to run on natural gas. Virtually all of these conversions are bi-fuel, which
allows operators to drive on natural gas as the primary fuel and retain gasoline as a reserve fuel,
simply by flicking a switch on the dashboard.
Ontario has a well developed set of codes and regulations for aftermarket conversions and service.
This helps ensure all installations and systems meet the highest standards. Each natural gas conversion
is customized to ensure optimal vehicle performance. Converting your vehicle is as easy as phoning or
visiting your local conversion centre.
In the Greater Toronto, Niagara and eastern Ontario areas, aftermarket conversions and service
are performed by Enbridge Gas Distribution authorized
conversion centres.
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Transit/School and Shuttle Bus
- Natural Gas Buses emit 50% less nitrogen oxides (NOx), 90% less sulphur oxides (SOx), and 97%
less small particulates than conventional diesel buses.
- Over 30% of buses built in North America this year are natural gas powered.
- Ontario, Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Cornwall and Toronto all have natural gas powered buses.
- Los Angeles, Atlanta, Syracuse, Birmingham, Providence, Fort Worth, San Diego, among others,
have adopted a policy of ONLY buying natural gas powered buses.
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Forklifts and Ice Resurfacers
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From ice resurfacers, to forklifts, to street sweepers, natural gas is a clean, safe and economical fuel
choice for indoor applications, especially when indoor air quality is a concern.
More and more forklift and ice resurfacer operators are turning to natural gas for improved indoor
air quality, safety and operational savings. Since natural gas cylinders are permanently mounted,
there is no more lifting or dragging of heavy propane cylinders (which can lead to back injuries).
Odour from propane fumes is eliminated and refuelling can be done
anytime while parked indoors. There are factory-made NGV ice resurfacers available directly from
Resurfice and Zamboni, and both forklifts and ice resurfacers can be converted in the
aftermarket.
For more information on converting and refuelling your ice resurfacer or forklifts to natural gas,
please contact: FuelMaker Corporation.
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How is a vehicle converted to natural gas?
Existing gasoline-powered vehicles have Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) components added at a conversion centre,
(like the Enbridge and NGV Co-op installation centres), and Natural Gas then becomes the primary fuel used
and gasoline the back-up fuel. Storage cylinders are placed underneath vehicles like vans or pickup trucks,
or in the trunk of vehicles like cabs and other cars. Stainless steel lines carry the fuel to a regulator
(which reduces the pressure) in the engine compartment, then through a fuel-air mixer, and into the intake
manifold to be introduced for combustion. There is a fuel selection switch (usually dash mounted) that
allows the driver to manually select CNG or gasoline. A recent development has some conversion systems
using fuel injection to supply the fuel directly into the combustion chamber.
This bi-fuel or dual-fuel system allows the driver to have adequate fuel reserves in between natural
gas fill-ups and actually extends the driving range over a comparable, gasoline-only vehicle. Fuel
selection can be done while driving, idling or parked, and some vehicles have an automatic fuel
switchover when the natural gas reaches a preset, low, pressure setting.
This is how an NGV works:
- Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) enters the vehicle through the natural gas valve or receptacle (1) into high pressure cylinders (2).
- When natural gas is required by the engine, it leaves the cylinders and passes through the master manual shut-off valve (3).
- The gas enters the engine through the high pressure fuel line (4).
- Gas enters the regulator (5), which reduces pressure from up to 3,000 psi (pounds per square inch) to approximate atmospheric pressure.
- The natural gas solenoid valve (6) allows natural gas to pass from the regulator into the gas mixer or fuel injectors (7). (Or the solenoid valve shuts off the natural gas when the engine is not running.)
- Natural gas mixed with air flows down through the carburetor or fuel injection system and enters the engine's combustion chambers.
Should I convert my vehicle?
A quick, simple, payback analysis can be done with your local conversion centre or utility.
Your decision should be based on how much you drive, how much you pay for gasoline and what your
driving habits are. And remember, when you choose to run on Natural Gas, you are making a driving
decision that results in cleaner air to breathe for all of us!
Visit the Become an NGV Owner section for more information or
contact us.
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