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| Saturday, June 16, 2001 |
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THERE is this theory about how the world came into existence. There was a big bang and lo! everything was in place. For some people the end of world may also be the result of a big bang. This might happen if they run their car on LPG. There are a few problems with a conversion of this type. To begin with, it is not legal. It is also very dangerous. Cars run on LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) under different conditions. A factory-fitted CNG engine with original gas tanks is safe. An engine that has been converted by a roadside mechanic may not be safe. In the last couple of months about a dozen people have died in cylinder explosions. It is believed that these cylinders were of dubious quality. Such installations can never be totally safe. A car run on LPG is
like a mobile bomb. The accompanying photograph shows two LPG
cylinders in the trunk of a car. LPG gas cylinders are designed to be
used in an upright position. Laying them on their side may cause the
valve/valves to malfunction. LPG is heavier than air and so if it
escapes it will fill the trunk of the car. |
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With two cylinders in the trunk and the car parked in the sun, the temperature in the trunk can go up to 80°C. An enclosed area, a highly inflammable gas, extreme temperatures — the stage is set for spontaneous combustion. The army has had three big explosions in their ammunition dumps. Spontaneous combustion is being cited as one of the reasons for these explosions. Contrasted with LPG, CNG is lighter than air and in case of a leakage it will disperse into the atmosphere and will not cause harm. Another reason LPG should not be used in a car is that LPG cylinders are meant exclusively for cooking. They are subsidised their misuse may land you in trouble. Also please keep in mind that the Motor Vehicles Act 1988, states that the owner of a motor vehicle shall not alter specifications of the vehicle from what is mentioned in the Registration Certificate (R.C.). The particulars may not vary from the manufacturers’ specifications. At the same time there is a clause that allows the fitting of a different type of engine operating on different fuel (diesel) or CNG. Prior permission is required for this conversion. If the conversion has already been done, you must inform the authorities within 14 days. The CNG kits should be installed by authorised and approved workshops. The capacity of the engine and type of CNG kit should also conform to certain norms. Apparently the type of kit used varies with the type of engine. A properly trained engineer should carry out this modification. Happy Motoring! |
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