Adsorbed Natural Gas Technology

[Curtis]

I found that article on the Mid-Westen college that is using the adsorbed natural gas technology in a truck.... Now I've lost it again. That's the one where they burn down the corn cobbs to charcoal and use it to lock in the cng under low pressure. does anyone have a link to that article?

[John Mitton]

Re: Absorbed Natural Gas Technology

Found it. Really cool technology announced last February.
"We are very excited about this breakthrough because it may lead to a flat and compact tank that would fit under the floor of a passenger car, similar to current gasoline tanks," said Pfeifer. "Such a technology would make natural gas a widely attractive alternative fuel for everyone."

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/02/new_highdensity.html

http://www.technologynewsdaily.com/node/6040

More articles can be found by a google search like this:
http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...20cobs%20truck

[cngmike]

Re: Absorbed Natural Gas Technology

ANG (Adsorbed Natural Gas) scooter testing

http://www.ngvglobal.com/technology/energtek-subsidiary-completes-adsorbed-natural-gas-ang-motorcycle-road-2.html

[Curtis]

Re: Absorbed Natural Gas Technology

Yep, saw the article in NGV Global. That's what got me hunting for the article again. I actually got ahold of Honda Corporate about the technology and they made a call to R&D about it. Seems like they are already aware of it... Now, if they would get serious about using something like that it would open up the trunk on the GX 'cause they could put the tank back under the car.

I don't know how the corn cobb charcoal differs from conventional charcoal, but other companies are using activated charcoal. The cobb variety may offer more surface area for the methane to bond. The pressure is what actually causes the bond to form, although it occurs at much lower pressures than cng is currently stored at. The bond can be broken, and the methane released, by simply lowering the pressure. I've also seen it done by running a low voltage current through the charcoal. I sure hope something comes of it. 20% more range with less pressure and an open trunk would go a long ways towards making the cng vehicles more practicle.

[MrComment]

Re: New fuel tank technology.

Looks like it could be promising.

[jetboatjohnny]

Re: New fuel tank technology.

I read somewhere about this, I think someone in Asia is actually building a motorcycle.
I believe it's called Adsorbed natural gas.

[Idarusskie]

Re: New fuel tank technology.

There is a company in New York that has manufacturing in Ukraine that is planning on marketing 2 and 3 wheeler kits in Asia. I got a request in to see if I can convert my geo metro. They have a working units in the Philippines.

company name is Enertek

http://www.energtek.com/

Most likely going there because they can try new things with out dealing with the EPA here.

I also found a company that makes ANG tanks for natural gas cutting torches used in the shop.

http://www.gas-tec.com/products_3.html

The I have is how long does the charcoal last? How much GGE can you put in a square inch of charcoal.


I do not know how many GGE you can load in their tanks.

[mickey]

Re: Absorbed Natural Gas Technology

I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around this. You can put MORE gas in a tank that is already full of charcoal than in an empty tank?

I think it works like this: Gases follow Boyle's Gas Law. (PV = nRT) The reason a substance is in a gaseous state is that the molecules really don't like each other. They want to spread out. Pressurizing a gas forces them closer together than they like.

I assume that the charcoal acts sort of like "privacy walls." You could have Hitler and Moses in the same hotel and they'd get along just fine as long as each doesn't know the other is there. By forcing the gas into the charcoal matrix the molecules are separated by "walls" of carbon. That serves to sort of hide them from each other. Far less pressure is required to force them into close proximity with each other.

That's my sort-of-understanding, anyway. I need to read up on this. It sounds fascinating.

-mickey

[mickey]

Re: New fuel tank technology.

There is a company in New York that has manufacturing in Ukraine that is planning on marketing 2 and 3 wheeler kits in Asia. I got a request in to see if I can convert my geo metro. They have a working units in the Philippines.

company name is Enertek

http://www.energtek.com/

Most likely going there because they can try new things with out dealing with the EPA here.

I also found a company that makes ANG tanks for natural gas cutting torches used in the shop.

http://www.gas-tec.com/products_3.html

The I have is how long does the charcoal last? How much GGE can you put in a square inch of charcoal.


I do not know how many GGE you can load in their tanks.

I don't see why it would ever "wear out." It just has to sit there and be itself.

-mickey

[mickey]

Re: Absorbed Natural Gas Technology

Okay, I was reading up just now and came across this in an article:

"Not everyone is enthusiastic about filling a vehicle with pressurized gas which requires slightly more expertise to pump safely than gasoline. "

Huh? People blow themselves up or burn themselves all the time with gasoline pumps. CNG pumps are idiot-proof. You can't screw up. Gas won't flow if it's not hooked up properly, and the flow instantly stops if something goes wrong.

Granted, the first time I filled up my new GX on Saturday I was really hoping that pump would shut itself off......

-mickey

[Idarusskie]

Re: Absorbed Natural Gas Technology

The charcoal could get contaminated ( the pours get plugged)or deactivated( the pours collapse). activation is the key where the pours get opened up. in any case it should be rather easy to replace. One might even be able to cook his own.

[CanAm]

Re: Absorbed Natural Gas Technology

Seems the issues is finding the right adsorbtion medium and reducing the affects of contaminent buildup (hydrocarbons, nirogen, etc.)

[Curtis]

Re: Absorbed Natural Gas Technology

Next question... Say they bring the tanks over and they are available. It's a 300-500psi system from what I understand. Where do you fuel up at this pressure? Infrastructure for this technology would be comparatively cheap at these pressures. Guess regulators could be fitted to existing systems and new stations could be thrown up cheaply enough, once the high pressure requirement is negated.

[Devo]

Re: Absorbed Natural Gas Technology

The technology definitely has the potential to make natural gas mainstream. I, for one, am excited about the technology and hope they bring it to market ASAP!

[CanAm]

Re: Absorbed Natural Gas Technology

I am talking to a couple ANG tank companies. I may try it on the forklift and maybe later on my F150. Frnakly, I am stoked at the possibilites of ANG. Very low tank cost, a la LPG and cheap filling equipment. I can see this going big in Asia.