Compressed Natural Gas Bus & Truck Filtration
The good, the bad and the (not so) ugly truths about clean energy alternative CNG fuel fleets.
The shift to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for commercial fleets began gaining significant momentum in the early 2000s, driven by a combination of economic, environmental, and regulatory factors.
In this blog, we’ll discuss clean energy’s the good, the bad and the (not so) ugly truths of alternative CNG fuel fleets for a comprehensive guide to Compressed Natural Gas Bus & Truck Filtration:
- Setting the Stage: Clean Energy Sources & Reduced Emissions
- It’s Go Time (The Good): Benefits of Compressed Natural Gas Bus & Truck Fleets
- The ‘Ick’ (The Bad): Dangers of Poor CNG Filtration
- #Facts (The ‘not so’ Ugly): Truths about CNG Bus & Truck Fleet Filtration
And without further adieu, let’s dive in and explore this oldie but goodie technology.
Setting the Stage: Clean Energy Sources & Reduced Emissions
Several programs, acts and laws have been passed via the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to focus on clean energies and sources.
In addition, the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was a major federal law that rolled up various issues including clean energy and emissions reduction.
The latest EPA program to roll out is the 2024 Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program, which includes the following programs:
- Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA)
- Clean School Bus Program
- SmartWay Transport
- Ports Initiative
- Clean Trucks Plan
Businesses in transportation, waste management, logistics, and distribution have increasingly adopted CNG to power their fleets due to its numerous advantages over traditional fuels like gasoline and diesel.
The U.S. is the no. 1 producer of natural gas in the world with abundant supply of conventional natural gas in 33 states, CNG vehicles are making more sense to fleets.
It’s Go Time (The Good): Benefits of Compressed Natural Gas Bus & Truck Fleets
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, natural gas currently powers more than 175,000 vehicles in the U.S. and roughly 23 million worldwide.
Commercial fleets like UPS, Waste Management and FedEx have significantly increased their CNG fleets. In fact, UPS reported having over 18,300 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles in its fleet as part of its commitment to sustainability.
The shift to CNG Bus and Truck fleets is attributed to 3 key drivers:
Key Drivers for the Shift to CNG Bus & Truck Fleets
- Cost Savings
- Environmental Benefits
- Regulatory Compliance
It’s no wonder why making the transition to Compressed Natural Gas Bus and Truck Fleets just makes sense:
Fuel Cost Savings
Compressed Natural Gas is generally less expensive than gasoline and diesel per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE). In the U.S., CNG prices have been consistently lower, with savings ranging from 30% to 50% per gallon equivalent.
Maintenance Cost Savings
CNG engines typically have fewer carbon deposits, which leads to fewer oil changes and lower maintenance costs overall. CNG also burns cleaner than diesel or gasoline, which reduces engine deposits and extends the life of engine components.
Reduced Emissions & Greenhouse Gases
Compressed Natural Gas produces fewer pollutants and harmful emissions, which helps businesses reduce their carbon footprint to comply with environmental regulations.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), CNG vehicles:
- Emit up to 90-97% fewer emissions of carbon monoxide
- About 80% fewer emissions of particulate matter compared to gasoline and diesel vehicles
CNG also results in lower CO2 emissions – The Department of Energy (DOE) notes that CNG can reduce greenhouse gas (CO₂) emissions by up to 30% compared to gasoline or diesel.
Sustainability & Fuel Supply Security
CNG supports sustainability goals by reducing reliance on oil and promoting domestically sourced natural gas.
Natural gas is more readily available, which will reduce dependence on foreign oil and enhance energy security.
Government Incentives
In addition to the cost savings and environmental benefits, there have been various federal and state-level incentives that have been put into place to promote the use of CNG. Fleets purchasing CNG vehicles or building CNG infrastructure may be able to receive tax credits, grants or rebates to boost CNG bus and truck fleet adoption.
Emission Regulations
Stricter emissions regulations have pushed companies to seek cleaner alternatives like Compressed Natural Gas to meet environmental standards.
All of the benefits support the shift to CNG Bus and Truck fleets, making it an increasingly popular choice for commercial applications.
However, just because CNG vehicles may run cleaner, it doesn’t mean there is zero maintenance.
Just like conventional gasoline and diesel fleets, maintaining a CNG fleet requires addressing unique challenges from contaminants in the fuel.
Let’s explore what would happen if CNG fleets aren’t properly maintained.
The ‘Ick’ (The Bad): Dangers of Poor CNG Filtration
Compressed Natural Gas vehicles need specific maintenance in order to ensure continuous operation and longevity. A crucial component in maintaining these vehicles is the on-vehicle high-pressure CNG filter.
These filters are essential for removing contaminants from the fuel before it reaches the engine, ensuring that the vehicle operates smoothly and efficiently.
Contaminants and Maintenance Challenges
Taking the step towards cleaner fuels has advantages as we’ve discovered but CNG still contains various contaminants that pose significant risks to the fuel delivery system and engine, which include:
1. Particulate Matter
Dust, rust, and other particulates can enter the fuel delivery system during refueling or from the natural gas itself. These particles can clog, score or erode fuel injectors, leading to stalling and engine downtime.
2. Oil Aerosols
Small amounts of oil can be present in the natural gas, which can cause deposits in the fuel delivery system, leading to injector fouling and reduced engine performance.
3. Moisture
Water vapor can condense in the fuel delivery system, causing corrosion and freezing issues, especially in colder climates. This can lead to fuel delivery system blockages i.e. icing or freezing and engine failures.
4. Heavy Hydrocarbons
These can condense and form deposits in the fuel delivery system, leading to clogging and injector failures.
Without the proper filtration, these contaminants contribute to increased maintenance downtime via vehicle stalling, engine downtime, fuel injector failures and component repairs or replacements.
Fortunately, Parker Finite has the right solution to keep CNG Bus and Truck fleets running smoothly.
#Facts (The ‘not so’ Ugly): Truths about CNG Bus & Truck Fleet Filtration
It’s pretty obvious that any fleet’s maintenance program is the key to successful operations. This practice still rings true for CNG Bus and Truck fleets.
One of the critical maintenance practices for CNG Bus and Truck fleets is filtration. As mentioned above, contaminants like dust, rust, oil, water vapor and hydrocarbon deposits can be present when natural gas is gathered.
Once collected, the gas is compressed to pressures ranging from 2000 PSIG up to 5000 PSIG and stored in tanks with any or all of those contaminants in the CNG.
Parker’s Finite Filters have capture efficiencies up to 99.995% with micron ratings that range from 0.01 to 3 micon to filter out liquids, particulates and solids.
Fortunately, Parker Finite has high-pressure CNG filters to sift out dust, rust, oil, water vapor and hydrocarbons to protect fuel delivery systems and prevent premature fuel injector failures.
Tap on the thumbnails below to learn more about each specific filter or download the catalog for more information.
And in summary for The Good, The Bad and The (not so) Ugly CNG Bus & Truck Fleets
The shift to CNG Bus and Truck fleets is driven by the following economic and environmental advantages:
- More Affordable Fuel Costs
- Lower Maintenance Costs
- Reduced Emissions/Greenhouse Gases
- Sustainability/Fuel Supply Security
- Government Incentives
- Emissions Regulation
Proper maintenance especially installing CNG filtration is essential to maximize those benefits.
Whether fleet operators need filters for on-vehicle applications, dispensing applications, dual fuel applications or CNG compression systems, Progressive Hydraulics is here to support those needs.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help maintain your CNG fleets.
- Source: Transport Project & American Gas Association
- Source: UPS; 2023 Sustainability Report
- Source: U.S. Department of Energy; Clean Cities Alternative Fuel Price Report, April 2024
- Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Clean Alternative Fuels: Compressed Natural Gas
- Source: U.S. Department of Energy; Alternative Fuels Data Center
- Source: Rextag; The Global Landscape of Compressed Natural Gas: Adoption and Innovations; March 2024
