Allied Equipment

"Manufacturers of ASME Pressure Vessels &
Oil & Gas Production/Process Equipment"

About CNG (compressed natural gas)

Many people believe that CNG stands for "Clean Natural Gas" but it actually stands for "Compressed Natural Gas", no doubt a result of clever marketing. CNG is compressed methane (CH4) gas, which is extracted from the ground, often along with oil. CNG is not to be confused with LNG, which stands for "Liquid Natural Gas." The main difference is that LNG is liquid whereas CNG is gaseous. Natural Gas is usually transported as LNG because it is less voluminous, but it is also more costly to cool it enough to make it liquid.

As with any fuel, how to store it becomes a major issue.  There have been many different ideas about the best size and shape of CNG storage containers.  Of course, the best container is dictated by it's proposed use, and it's form factor.  Containers must be easy to handle (load & unload) from trucks.

We have settled on the "Sphere" as the ideal storage container. 

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a substitute for gasoline (petrol) or diesel fuel. It is considered to be an environmentally "clean" alternative to those fuels. It is made by compressing methane (CH4) extracted from natural gas. It is stored and distributed in hard containers, usually cylinders.

Argentina and Brazil, in the Southern Cone of Latin America, are the two countries with the largest fleets of CNG vehicles. Conversion has been facilitated by a substantial price differential with liquid fuels, locally-produced conversion equipment and a growing CNG-delivery infrastructure. A 'Blue-network' of CNG stations is being developed on the major highways of the Southern Cone (including Chile and Bolivia) to allow for long-haul transportation fuelled by CNG.

In response to high fuel prices and environmental concerns, compressed natural gas is starting to be used in light-duty passenger vehicles and pickup trucks, medium-duty delivery trucks, and in transit and school buses.