alternative fuel autogas (lpg)

© 2009 - R.Ortmayr www.autogasblog.info 1 / 55

Alternative Alternative FuelFuel

AutogasAutogas (LPG)(LPG)

ByBy DiplDipl.. KaufmannKaufmann (FH) Ralf Ortmayr(FH) Ralf Ortmayr


Alternative fuels depend on the Alternative fuels depend on the difference in gas and petrol pricesdifference in gas and petrol prices

1. 1974-1975• 1979-1981• 1999-2000• 2005-2008• future?

Gas prices in GermanyPeaks:


Overview of all types of fuelOverview of all types of fuel

� Alternatives for Diesel-engines

a) Bio diesel b) Plant oil

� Alternatives for Otto-engines

a) Natural gas/biogas b) Autogas (LPG)

c) Ethanol fuel d) Hybrid car

� Other alternatives

a) Electric power system b) Hydrogen*

c) Fuel cell* d) Synthetic fuels**) not available for consumers


Overview of the tax on fuelsOverview of the tax on fuels

18 18

0

12

0

10

65

47

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Petroleum tax in Cent per liter

Biodiesel

Plant oil

Ethanol fuel

Natural Gas

Biogas

Autogas

Petrol

Diesel


Overview of filling stationsOverview of filling stations

1200 300 250 844 3

5350

14800

0

2.000

4.000

6.000

8.000

10.000

12.000

14.000

16.000

Number of filling stations in Germany

Biodiesel

Plant oil

Ethanol fuel

Natural Gas

Biogas

Autogas

Petrol/Diesel


Overview of registered carsOverview of registered cars

10000 20000 16000

75000

0

320000

150000

50.000

100.000

150.000

200.000

250.000

300.000

350.000

Number of vehicles in Germany

Biodiesel

Plant Oil

Ethanol Fuel

Natural Gas

Biogas

Autogas

E-Hybrid


Alternatives for OttoAlternatives for Otto--enginesengines� Natural gas/ biogas (CNG= Compressed Natural Gas)

methane/biomethane (straw, grass, plant remains,slurry)

qualities:

H (High caloric gas) 87-99,1 Vol % methane

L (Low caloric gas) 79,8 und 87 Vol % methane

� Autogas (LPG)

propane/butane- from natural gas fields or oil wells

qualities : 95/5 (also used for heating)

60/40 or 40/60 (winter or summer) �


DiffferenceDiffference betweenbetween AutogasAutogas(LPG) and Natural Gas (CNG)(LPG) and Natural Gas (CNG) ‏‏ ‏‏‏‏ ‏‏

LPG:� Propane/Butane

� Liter

� 8-10 bar

� Transportation via lorries, trains, pipelines or ships

CNG:

� Methane

� Kg/m3

� 200-300 bar

� Transportation via pipelines (or liquefied on ships: LNG)


� Autogasmixture

- Winter: 60/40

- Summer: 40/60

- No law regulates the mixture in Germany

Overview of all types of fuelOverview of all types of fuel


� Autogas mixture

- Correcttemperatureand pressureare important for the powerof the vehicle


Number of gas powered vehiclesNumber of gas powered vehicles

0

50.000

100.000

150.000

200.000

250.000

300.00019

7519

76*

1978

*19

80*

1981

1982

1983

*19

84*

1985

1986

*19

87*

1988

*19

89*

1990

1992

*19

93*

1994

*19

9519

96*

1997

*19

98*

1999

*20

00*

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

LPG CNG

* estimated values, source: KBA, erdgasfahrzeuge.de, own calculations


Number of gas filling stationsNumber of gas filling stations

650 20 72 44 250 250

1100 650

2000

725

3200

764

4100

820

5350

850

6500

950

0

1.000

2.000

3.000

4.000

5.000

6.000

7.000

1981 1991 2001 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009* 2010**

* till August ** estimated


Gas powered vehiclesGas powered vehicles

� Cars

� Lorries

� Buses

� Forklifts

� Motorcycles

� Boats� Others (Lawn mowers, street cleaners etc.)‏

Which vehicles are powered by LPG?



� Otto-engines: various motors possible

� Turbo engines: various motors possible

� TFSI/FSI engines: some motors possible

� Wankel engines: some motors possible

� Diesel-engines: in theory possible but not common in Germany (30/70 mixture).Possible for lorries and buses!

Which engines can be powered by LPG?



source: KBA, own calculation

What are the benefits for the environment?

� CO2 (Carbon dioxide): 10 -18% less than petrol

� CO (Carbon monoxide): 10 - 40% less than petrol

� NOx (Nitric oxide): 10 - 25% less than petrol and about 80% less than diesel

� PM (particles): almost none

� HC (hydrocarbon emissions): 0- 7% less than petrol


source: www.daimler.com/go/optiresource

� Well to Wheel comparison: Autogas/ Petrol



� Well to Wheel comparison: CNG 1000 km/ Autogas



� Well to Wheel comparison: CNG 7000 km/ Autogas


Worldwide usage of LPG in carsWorldwide usage of LPG in cars

source: WLPGA, AEGPL


Technological termsTechnological terms

� Venturi system� Vaporiser system ‏‏ ‏‏

� Liquid injection system

Which gas - systems are available?


Manufacturers of gas systemsManufacturers of gas systems1. AG 10. Emmegas 19. OMVL (1%)

2. Aldesa 11. Femitec (1%) 20. Prins (28%)‏

3. Autronic (1%) 12. Frontgas (2%) 21. Prince ‏(3%)

4. Bedini 13. ICOM (5%) 22. Stargas (4%)‏

5. BiGas (2%) 14. KME (4%) 23. Tartarini ‏(5%)

6. BRC (12%) 15. Landi (2%) 24. Teleflex (1%)‏

7. CARGAZ 16. Landi Renzo (9%) 25. Vialle ‏(5%)

8. Elpigas 17. Lovato (2%) 26. Voltran9. Elgaro 18. Öcotec (1%) 27. Zavoli (4%)‏

(%) market share if above 1% of 11 467 users from www.gas-tankstellen.de



� ECE-norm- ECE-R 115: Engineer standards for authorisation

before installation of gas systems(after the conversion no inspection of the Technical Control Board (TÜV,DEKRA,KÜS) is necessary.

- ECE-R 67: Each component of the gas system will be certified and a certificate of the exhaust emissions (German: Abgasgutachten) must be given.(German: Einzelabnahme nach §21 StVZO) ‏



� Switch� Vaporiser� Control box� Injectors� Gas filter� Gas tank� Other parts

Which parts are used?

Source: Landi Renzo



� The switch- Indicates the operation mode (gas or petrol) ‏- Automatic change from petrol to gas (the moment cooling water reaches 30 degrees Centigrade) ‏- When the gas tank is empty the mode will change back to petrol automatically



� Vaporiser- Is heated with cooling water

- Most of the systems change from petrol mode to gas mode when the cooling water is 30 degrees to prevent icing of the vaporiser

- The liquid gas will be changed to gaseous gas



� Control box- Own control box is needed for the gas operation mode- Calculation of the right volume of gas

- Control box is set up with software and computer



� Injektors- Inject gas (according to system in liquid or gaseous form) in the intake pipe of each cylinder- Important: correct volume at the correct moment



� Filter interval:- Main filter every 20.000 km- Filter in liquid phase 60.000 km (interval depends on instructions from manufacturer) ‏

The exchange must be entered in the maintenance booklet!



� Gas tank-Toroidal(also horizontal) ‏

- Cylindrical



- Underfloor

Important: Gas tanks must only be filled 80% (automatic stop) ‏

e.g: 77 liters gross = 63 liters net



� Additives- Flash Lube(about 1 liter per 1.000 liter of Autogas)‏

- Tunap

- Added in drops to the gas- Considered as mandatory by some manufacturers or insurance companies.



� LPG - Connection

1. Side

2. Integrated in fuel tank

3. On or below bumper



� Two ways of filling up with LPG



� Gas nozzle and adapter

- ACME: D, B, IRL, L, CH

- DISH: D (South), A, CH, I, F,GR, HR, PL, SK, CR, S

- BAJONETT: NL, GB, N, ES

European nozzle is planned but not agreed on as standard yet!


Filling upFilling up

1. Switch off the engine

2. No open fire

3. No mobile phone4. After the filling up

disconnect the hose from the car!

What must be done?



1. Open fuel tank cap

2. Put gas nozzle on adapter/LPG-connection

3. Push button (dead man`s control)‏

4. Filling stops automatically

5. Release button

6. Disconnect nozzle

Which steps must be taken?



� Generally allowed

� Mind notices to stay out of private property.

Is it allowed to drive into underground parking lots?


What kind of car?What kind of car?

� Second hand /used car

� New car


Second hand carsSecond hand cars

� Second hand car market (car dealers, internet, newspaper) ‏

� Conversion of own carcar must run in petrol mode without problems


Second hand LPGSecond hand LPG--carscars

� User check list (www.vipp-info.de) ‏‏ ‏‏- Mechanic listed at Chamber of Trade- Mechanic's invoice (must be devided into mechanic's

salary and car parts) ‏- Users' manuals and service booklets- Ask your importer, manufacturer or the LPG-

organisation for addresses- Your mechanic must have done a professional and

certified training course



� Necessary steps for successful conversion

- Parts of the gas system including gas tank

- Gas system installing check (German: Gassystemeinbauprüfung, GSP) ‏

- Check of the gas system (German: Gasanlagenprüfung, GAP) ‏

- Certificate of Technical Control Board

- Warranty 24 months



� Options (might lead to additional cost):- Adapter- Additive (Flash Lube/Tunap) ‏- Anti- puncture kit- Additional warranty for the motor etc.- Offer of rental car for time of conversion (about 2-3

days)Remember to inquire about the possible additional cost for the maintenance of your gas system!


New cars with LPGNew cars with LPG� 16 manufacturers offer

about 100 types with LPG systems and warranty

Cadillac LadaChevrolet MazdaCitroën MitsubishiFiat OpelFord SubaruHyundai Renault Jeep Volvo Kia VW


Useful advice for driving with Useful advice for driving with LPG:LPG:� How to find a suitable filling station?� POIs in GPS (www.gas-tankstellen.de)

� Search via WAP/ E-mail/ SMS� Maps/ Road atlases

� Financing of the conversion:If you decide to finance the system with a bank loan you can repay your bank with instalments i.e. the money saved in petrol cost.


Statistics:Statistics:

� Source www.gas-tankstellen.de

� 94 % of all LPG-cars have been converted

� On average the conversion takes place at81 000 km i.e. 6,3 years after the registration date

� 90 % of all drivers are satisfied with the range (on average 450 km) ‏

� 98 % of all drivers would again choose a LPG car (14 073 of 14 293 participants in the survey) ‏


Future: Shell Eco MarathonFuture: Shell Eco Marathon

source:Shell



– 2009: 10 out of 202 teams started with cars powered by LPG

– 7 out of 122 cars reached the finish line:8 rounds within 51 minutes and a minimum of 30km/h and a total of 25,485 km

– Two classes: prototypes and urban concept



– Prototypes: Winner 3771 km/liter petrol# 10: LPG 2380 km/liter- 1 g CO2/km France: Lycée Marcel Callo Redon# 47: LPG 617 km/liter – 3,7 g CO2/km Germany: Nicolaus August Otto Berufskolleg

– Urban concept: Winner 1246 km/literhydrogen# 3: LPG 568 km/liter- 4,7 g CO2/km Denmark: Technical University of Denmark


Future: LPGFuture: LPG--Hybrid CarsHybrid Cars

Source: Hyundai

Hyundai Elentra: Electric - LPG hybrid car


Future: LPGFuture: LPG--Hybrid CarsHybrid Cars

Source: Hyundai


Future: LPG Cars without Future: LPG Cars without petrol tankpetrol tank

– Project CO2 -100 by Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft (HTW) inSaarbrücken

– Hyundai i10 was converted with aVialle gas system and the petrol tank was removed. The car is only powered by LPG.


What needs to be improved:What needs to be improved:

� One standard of filling nozzle (Euronozzle)‏

� One standard of gas mixture in central Europe

� Better checks of used cars � Official list of approved mechanics� More gas stations� More cars with LPG system on board

54 / 46Copyright Ralf Ortmayr

Literature sources and linksLiterature sources and links

� Literature:- Autogas Journal - LPG Gids (The Netherlands) ‏

- Map from LPG organisation

� Links:- www.autogas-online.de - www.autogas-journal.de

- www.gas-tankstellen.de - www.autogasblog.info


Questions or comments?Questions or comments?

alternative fuel autogas (lpg)

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