All about GB. Pros and cons of propane-butane and methane, payback period and myths

Gas is primarily a story about economy. Also, GB allows increasing vehicle range. However, there are many myths associated with gas, causing many car enthusiasts to fear installing such equipment on their vehicles. In this material we will examine the pros and cons of propane-butane and methane, as well as discuss how profitable switching to gaseous fuel can be.

About this article Who benefits from installing GBO What varieties of GBO exist Propane-butane. Advantages and disadvantages Methane. Advantages and disadvantages What generations of GBO exist How GBO installation is performed Does GBO require maintenance How much does it cost to install GBO How quickly does GBO pay off Can gas be installed on diesel Most popular myths about GBO

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Who benefits from installing GBO It is believed that GBO is beneficial for those who travel 15–20 thousand kilometers per year and consume large amounts of fuel. These are car lovers who operate their cars daily for work and family matters; those who travel frequently, and of course taxi drivers and couriers.

"The average annual mileage for a Belarusian car enthusiast is from 25 to 30 thousand kilometers. A car equipped with a four-cylinder engine consuming 9–10 liters per hundred kilometers saves, according to our experience, about $600–$700 per year by running on gas. What is $600–$700? For example, a full family vacation at Braslav Lakes," – thought representatives of STO "Gaz-Alternativa" in an interview with Onliner.

What varieties of GBO exist Based on the type of fuel used, GBO exists in the following forms:

• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) — this is a propane-butane mixture. It is stored in liquefied state at room temperature under pressure up to 12 atmospheres.
• Compressed (compressed) natural gas (CNG) — here we talk about methane. It is stored in compressed form at high pressure (about 200 atmospheres).

Both types of fuel have a number of their own advantages and disadvantages. Methane is cheaper, however it is much less popular in our country than propane. Below we will explain why.

Propane-Butane. Advantages and Disadvantages (Compared to Methane)

Advantages

• The network of propane gas stations is much more developed, there are many times more than methan refueling stations.
• When using propane, engine power drops by a very small amount (up to 5%), whereas methane can lead to a decrease in power by 20–30%.
• The cost of installing gas cylinder equipment for propane-butane is significantly lower than for methane.
• Propane cylinders are lighter and require less robust walls, which reduces the overall cost and weight of the equipment.
• Thanks to low pressure, propane is stored in a liquefied state, allowing the use of more compact cylinders. For example, toroidal (doughnut-shaped) cylinders can be installed in the space of a spare wheel, thereby saving space in the trunk.

Propane has higher energy density, which provides greater range reserve compared to methane. "The range on PBAs with comparable cylinder volumes is much larger than that of methane: 550 km versus 200–250 km, if we take Lada Vesta as an example," stated representatives of STO in an interview with Onlíner.

Disadvantages

• Propane is less economical compared to methane due to higher cost per liter. For comparison: price per 1 liter of methane – 1.14 rubles (all prices are current at the time of publication of the article). Price per 1 liter of propane-butane – 1.35 rubles.
• Propane has higher consumption than methane. To find out how much your car will consume propane-butane, you need to add 15–20% to the gasoline consumption rate. Consumption of methane, like gasoline, is one-to-one.
• By rough calculation, methane is 25–30% more economical than propane.
• It contains impurities and is less eco-friendly than methane.
• It is more explosive than methane.
• It is heavier than air and tends to settle and accumulate at the bottom, in pits or basements. Therefore, it is undesirable to store cars on propane for long periods in garages with pits.

Methane. Advantages and Disadvantages (Compared to Propane-Butane)

Advantages

• Consumption of methane is lower than that of propane-butane (methane – one-to-one relative to gasoline, PBAs – 15–20% higher than gasoline).
• Methane is cheaper than propane-butane. For comparison: price per 1 liter of methane – 1.14 rubles. Price per 1 liter of propane-butane – 1.35 rubles.
• Methane is more eco-friendly than propane-butane.
• It is safer because it is lighter than air and disperses quickly upon leakage.
• Methane "saves" engine resources due to its properties.
• Methane is less dependent on ambient temperature, unlike propane, which allows easier starting of the engine in freezing temperatures.

Disadvantages

• Small number of refueling stations (in Minsk there are only four), hence queues at such filling stations.
• Methane equipment is more expensive.
• Methane cylinders are larger and heavier than propane ones. Accordingly, they increase the vehicle's weight and take up more space.
• Methane has lower energy density compared to propane, which may cause the engine to lose power.

What generations of LPG equipment exist Generations of LPG equipment differ by the method of gas supply to the engine and the control system. Currently, six generations of equipment are distinguished: the first and second generations use a mixer to blend gas with air before it enters the cylinders; the third generation has metered supply; the fourth generation uses individual injectors for injecting gas in the gaseous phase. The fifth generation is characterized by supplying gas in the liquid phase using a pump and using standard injectors, while the sixth generation further improves this approach for engines with direct injection.

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