CNG fuel coversion with boats?
 

OK guys I've been looking into conversion of my daily driver over to CNG (Compressed natural gas)and Galileo kits arent that expensive. Anyone done a boat? Its huge on the west coast but not in the mid west....yet. By the way a GGE (Gasoline gallon equivolent)of gng is $1.96 here in Michigan....does that get your attention?

Have not done a boat or any motor for that matter, But gettn interested. We've been looking at the water to Hydrogen systems and other alternatives.

Hydrogen And I believe NG are lighter than Air = Safer for boats as the fumes will rise and not collect in the bilge.

Impacts in boats (Severe head on type) are less frequent than cars/trucks. Safer for the pressurized fuel tank.

Where is there more info on CNG? Galileo kit?

look at mycngkit.com its a huge company in South America that converts everything to cng. There is also a forum like OSO called cngchat.com. There is a guy on there in the process of converting his boat right now that I'm watching closely.

Think you just got everyones attention :D

Got my attention. Will it work with a carb engine?.


nevermind i just read that they will work with simple carbs:)

I've also been reading about this. It's a really big fad right now in Utah, because it's selling for around what would be the equivalent of $1 gallon. I think I read it was around $12k to set up a car/truck for this. The only problem is fueling stations. There aren't too many places to get it. One guy I read about could go about 850 miles between a tank of cng and a tank of 87 octane between fill ups. Definitely interesting.

carb motors are easier to convert....take a look at mycngkit.com. add the kit you would be dual fuel so you can run on cng around the marina and farting around and switch to regular when you run out or under wot. A home fueling station would be a must around here we han next to zero stations to fill up. This kit is under 2k per engine. I have a friend thats an automotive engineer thats converting a 1969 440 GTX, I'm watching very closely.......

I was curious about this a while back, and did some calculations and investigation. Yes, it could be done. The downside is the weight, cost, and size of the tanks to have any decent amount of cruising range. Then when the tanks were empty, there is no filling them at the dock. Also the tanks are required to be inspected by a professional I believe once a year for structural soundness, which would be an additional hassle and add cost. You could fill them at home with one of the car sized compressors, but it could take a week to two weeks to compress enough fuel for a boat. There are filling stations in some areas, but a lot of the cost savings is lost due the markup at the station. Gas leaks in a boat could create an explosion harzard.

Michael

cng explosions are very few it doesn't puddle like gas or gas fumes its lighter than air and quickly dissipates when there is a leak. I was thinking of adding the Galileo kit thus having a duel fuel boat always having the gasoline option at the flip of a switch. The weight is minimal tanks are aluminum wrapped in carbon fibre. I dont believe the tanks would be under the epa restrictions as a car would be but still looking into it....

Gas leaks in a gasoline powered boat would be an explosion hazard as well.

Natural gas does not puddle but I would not say that it is lighter than air.
It is largely methane that is heavier than air.
Natural gas will disapate and fill a space. ( like an engine compartment ) Natural gas is much more dangerous than gasoline because gas has to vaporize before it will burn, natural gas is already in that state.

Boom
 

You need to look into the regulations when it come to boats and flammable gases. Not just the Coast Guard but also the Classification Societies. Natural gas is heavier than air and also more explosive than gasoline. None of this aftermarket hillbilly stuff is safe in a marine enviroment.:hitfan:

Natural Gas IS lighter than air !
I've done many Vehicle conversion's in the past. I have swithched jobs since and no longer do them. Also the Nat. gas Co i work for stopped doing them long ago.
Duel fuel would be the way to go. Aluminum tanks are available with a set regulated lifespan. Steel tanks must undergo perodic Inspection's.
One problem is the amount of actual volume from these tank's is small.4' x 1' tank approx =8 gal.. There are different system's 2400 # and 3600 # depending on the Compressor station. I've watched many dedicated Veh's come in on the hook !
Sailboaters carry CNG for their stoves also. So. i dont know what the max. carrying capacity would be on a Boat.
Feasiable yes,practical i dunno. You'd have to carry at least 2 large Aluminum tanks to get anywhere with the mpg a boat gets.

Hey, Ken, how r-u ? any-ways Quick ? what is the MBTA doing with the "silver line" is it not using CNG to power that line of buses on a daily basis ! u-do a cruse w/knot-right yet ? ;)

#1. At the same temperature and in gaseous form natural gas weighs 60% of air making it lighter than air. BUT! You are messing with "Compressed Natural Gas"! When it is released it has to expand and equalize in temperature before it becomes "lighter than air". Contrary to popular belief this just doesn't happen in an instant. Altitude, Temperature, Humidity, Rate of Release and Confinement all play a part in how fast the the process occurs. In a confined space "CNG" will puddle till it gases off.
#2. A lot of leisure boats carry small tanks of CNG, LNG & LPG. By regulation those tanks have to be carried outside of any enclosed occupied space or machinery space and vented to the external atmosphere. Where are you going to put these tanks at? Strap them on deck somewhere?
#3. For all the weight there isn't enough inherent energy in CNG to give you decent performance. Why not go whole hog start messing with LNG?
#4. Just remember this between 4% to 16% by volume natural gas is EXPLOSIVE!!!:p

Hi Jay !
Doing great !
The buses work out pretty good for CNG. Lot's of room to put all the tanks,short trips,return to the same depot to slow fill overnite.
I haven't had the chance to go out with Gerry. It was great attending Turbine school 101 with him.
See ya on the water soon !:D

#1 Pretty rare circumstances for it to puddle.L.N.G. yes,CNG disperse's pretty darn quick.
In a confined space it will also displace the oxygen and be outside the flammability range .Depending on the rate of release again.
#2. I agree.
The tanks are would be the main issue and a filling station.
#3 The weight of alumminum tanks isn't bad. Just the size's and amount of'em that would be silly.Like ya said, where would ya put'em ??
Less power and mileage with CNG. Unless you could find a way to put the high octane to work.

#4 Gasoline. Flammibility rate 1.4- 7.4 also considered explosive and always heavier than air.

I give DYNO credit for thinking outside of the box.
For a Boat it's just not practical tho.
Take care ! Ken

just trying to figure out a way to keep boating.......cng would be the way to go with my dailey driver. Keep you minds open we need to do something.

Impressive kit.

Ya hit the nail dead smack on the head!:p

Here is another one did you know Natural Gas can explode without actual combustion?:eek: