Imagine a world where one does not have to bear the perils of vehicular pollution. No spasmodic coughing when near a gargantuan truck; a battered, worn-out car that seems to have been unwashed ever since it was picked up from the showroom; or a rickety autorickshaw; or even more, a blue line, that wastes no opportunity at spewing polluted smoke.
Pollution has definitely been the bane of contemporary society and is a great topic for debate at all levels. In the last couple of years, the importance of environment conservation has assumed a never-before relevance. People and institutions alike, have been battling it out for a ‘cleaner, greener, world.’ With this perspective, one should take a closer look at Delhi, the world’s third most polluted city. Even here, the last couple of years have witnessed a greater devotion and awakening towards the protection of the environment. The battle for strictly applying the Euro norms and the drive to switch-over to CNG as an alternative fuel are some of the examples of the endeavours made by the denizens of the capital towards creating a greater eco-friendly environment.
Pollution due to petroleum products used in transportation is an ever increasing problem for Delhi and other metropolitans. Pollution due to transportation can be divided into two main categories—air pollution and noise pollution. Some environmentalists also quote odour pollution as third and major component.
Technical experts have suggested the use of CNG as an alternative fuel for automobiles. They have estimated that apart from being less hazardous, it is also environment friendly, can help in reducing the levels of pollutant emissions and is quite cost effective. Its extensive use in automobiles has the efficacy to reduce India’s excessive dependence on petroleum imports.
The concept of natural gas as an automotive fuel started around 1930. Research has proved that it can be used safely.
Many countries are known to be using CNG as an automotive fuel. These include USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Thailand, Iran, Australia and New Zealand. While in most countries, its usage is restricted to private vehicles, in countries like Australia and America, it is the fleet operators who find it useful. More than 50 companies in the US operate their fleet vehicles on CNG. In Italy, about a quarter of a million vehicles are running on CNG, primarily due to the high cost of petrol. France, too, had a taste of CNG as an automotive fuel during World War I. But, not much emphasis was given to CNG, due to the use of LPG and a taxation structure on CNG. Canadian Western Natural Gas company started a CNG conversion programme in 1970 by converting about 100 vehicles in Edmonton city. The Council of Canada participated in the programme by introducing three Chevrolet half-ton pickup trucks. However, the increase in the cost of natural gas adversely affected the CNG conversion programme. As early as 1937, the Victorian State Electricity Commission of Australia considered the use of CNG for vehicle fuel. Similarly, the South Australian Gas Company converted 17 vehicles of their fleet to operate on CNG, but due to the high costs of kits and cylinders the conversion to CNG could not make much headway.
In New Zealand, a CNG conversion programme started in the 1970s and continued till the late nineties. The New Zealand Energy Research and Development Corporation, the Auckland Gas Company and the Wellington Gas Company were the pioneers in introducing the CNG programme in New Zealand. A variety of vehicles were converted and their performances were monitored. The programme severely deteriorated because of tax adjustments.
In the eighties, other Asian and South American countries embarked upon CNG programmes, namely, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Pakistan and Argentina.
Internationally, CNG is identified with certain advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages
Very easy on the engine, giving longer service life and lower maintenance costs the demand for finite petroleum supply exhaust emission pollution improves fuel consumption and engine efficiency. When CNG and air in the right proportions are brought together, they mix thoroughly and rapidly, thereby improving the combustion efficiency, while the engine stays clean internally gaseous fuel does not dilute the lubricating oil, thus saving on oil filters and oil chargers
Disadvantages
Driving complaints were reported due to loss of power with CNG. Dynamometer tests indicate that CNG-fuelled vehicles have 10-15% lower power output than petrol engines. Exhaust-valve wear in CNG-operated vehicles are anticipated due to the drying effect of the gaseous fuel cost of conversion additional weight of CNG cylinders does pose a problem to make an impression on the common man.
Indian Scenario
India too witnessed the great CNG excitement, a couple of years ago. It was perceived that cities like Delhi and Mumbai would face lesser air pollution. Enthused, filling stations started being set up by the Indraprastha Gas Ltd., a joint venture of the Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL) and the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL). Maruti Udyog Ltd. (MUL) planned to promote CNG vehicles.
Big names jumped on to the bandwagon. Ashok Leyland offered to supply buses fitted with CNG engines to the Delhi government, to enable it to replace its existing fleet by more environment-friendly vehicles.
As toxic emissions increase steadily in the four metros with a simultaneous increase in vehicular fleet doubling air pollutants in the coming years, use of clean fuel remains untapped with only a few thousand vehicles running on them. Another major barrier is the lack of awareness in the public. Though most of the vehicles are running on dual fuel, lack of easy accessibility has hindered people from using this clean fuel that is devoid of toxic gases like carbon monoxide and benzene that are a major source of air pollution.
Today, public transport (DTC and Blue Line buses, taxis and autos) in Delhi completely run on CNG.
At the industrial level, Bajaj Auto, the country’s largest three-wheeler manufacturer, exploited the technology to combat not only pollution but also the menace of adulterated fuel, thereby meeting stringent emission norms even in the face of rapid contamination. The company is today producing CNG versions of its three-wheelers.
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