Ukraine is one of the world's leaders in using compressed natural gas (hereinafter - CNG) as motor fuel. The first domestic refueling stations were built, and the first vehicles were converted to use liquefied petroleum gas back in 1936. In 1937, Ukraine's first compressed natural gas refueling station (CNGS) was commissioned to use gas from Priazovskoie field. Its capacity was 180 cubic meters/hour, enough to refuel nearly 76 gas vehicles (lorries).

After the WW2, mass vehicles conversion continued. In 1946, motor race Berlin-Kyiv-Moscow featured virtually all vehicle types ranging from 0.5l midgets to 7.4l hundred-seat buses. The rout of 2,603 km was covered over 14 days (including 11 days of actual races) by 18 vehicles that included 5 using compressed natural gas and 13 - using liquefied petroleum gas. In 1949-1953, compressed natural gas vehicles (NGVs) were designed and launched into production. A network of nearly 30 CNGSs was set up for these vehicles. The CNGSs used 3- and 4-stage compressors and filled various types of trucks.

STATUS OF CNGSS IN UKRAINE

Pre-conditions of CNGSs

Petroleum crisis of the 1970s emphasized the issue of NGVs once again. It became clear that oil reserves were not as large as expected, and that an alternative to liquid fuels was required. On the other hand, large gas reserves were discovered. Thus, the early 1980s gave a start to another era in CNGSs development. Current stage of conversion of vehicles to use CNG started in 1991, when CNGSs 500 was designed and constructed by PivdenNIIdiprogaz. The project underwent long-term modification, and finally it was taken as a basis for 250 stations (in USSR). Until now, it is the core producer in CIS states. Later on, Frunze R&D Company, Sumy, joined the project, and in 1986, they produced the first block and container stations (CNGS-250).

The first standard range of CNGSs was proposed more than 20 years ago: 500, 250, 125 and 75 filings per day, for lorries only. Domestic and foreign experience demonstrated expediency of the range broadening in order to include small stations - from individual CNGSs per one vehicle, and further on, to 10, 20, 40...50 fillings.

CNGS range of 1...500 fillings / day, in its turn, includes the standard range of compressor units having the input pressure range 0,1...0,4; 0,4...0,6; 0,6...1,2; 1,2...3,5(5) MPa and discharge pressure of 25 (32) MPa.

Use of standard capacities would allow formulation of general requirements to any station. At the same time, any further improvements in CNGSs would depend on perfection of each individual sub-system and implementation of new effective decisions. Marketing studies demonstrate that demand for new stations may be distributed as follows in the feasible future: 70% v CNGSs having capacity of 10...100 fillings; 20% v from 100 to 300 fillings; 10% v more than 300 fillings per day.

Ukraine v the leader in use of CNG as motor fuel

Today Ukraine is the leader in use of CNG as motor fuel due to the well-developed CNGS network of Ukrtransgas Affiliated Company and high-professional engineers. For a long time, Ukraine has been ranked first among CNGS networks of CIS states. It enjoys sound positions in international market. Operation of the Ukrainian CNGS network was highly appreciated by the European Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ENGVA) at the international symposium in Kyiv. The symposium started with the motor race RomavKyiv. Participants of the race covered more than 10,000 kilometers, rode through many European states and arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine. 50 vehicles covered the distance from Uzhgorod to Kyiv, using natural gas as motor fuel. Participants of the Roma v Kyiv motor race highly appreciated gas quality and services rendered at the Ukrainian CNGS.

IXth meeting of the Section on Compressed Gas Use as Motor Fuel under the International Oil and Gas Council of CIS States took place in Kyiv on June 1 -3, 2004. Then, Ukraine confirmed its status as the leader in compressed gas production and use as motor fuel. According to the Gas Vehicles Report (June 2005), Ukraine is ranked among top ten countries by use of CNG as motor fuel, and holds the 8th position by the number of NGVs and the 14th place - by the number of CNGSs in the world.

CNGS network of Ukrtransgas (89 CNGSs) can fill up to 100,000 vehicles with CNG instead of 631,000 tons of liquid transportation fuel. Now, up to 70,000 vehicles use CNG as motor fuel in Ukraine.

EXPANSION OF THE MOTOR TRANSPORT PARK

Many states have been balancing priorities in CNGS networks development and expansion of the compressed natural gas vehicles park (NGV) for a long time. Lack of NGVs impedes CNGS development and vice versa. At the same time, experience shows that the both processes shall be well balanced and coincident. Experience shows that the payback period for CNGSs construction and simultaneous conversion to NGV is 4-6 years.

German specialists have calculated the optimum distance between CNGSs for regions with various density of population. In cities, refueling stations shall be located in 10-15 kilometers from each other, and in rural regions v at a distance of 20 v 25 kilometers. Individual refueling compressor units (GFCU) are gaining popularity. They may be used for slow filling of corporate vehicles at night, or for personal cars in garages. The International Natural Gas Vehicle Association informs that there are more than 4,000 GFCUs in the world. The most popular stations are those designed for two cars. Until very recently, average value of one GFCU was about USD 5,000. The recent model of FuelMaker GFCU Phill is available at US $999. A GFCU- service cycle is 4,000 hours. Power consumption is 0.33-0.40 kW x h x /m3. Improved consumer features of GFCUs expand economic benefits from use of natural gas as motor fuel for private car owners.

FINAL PROVISIONS

To increase the use of compressed natural gas as motor fuel in Ukraine, Ukrtransgas shall focus on the following: Conversion of 40,000 vehicles to NGV within the next 1-2 years.

Provision of the state regulation of the purchase price for compressed natural gas on the level, allowing CNGSs to preserve the sale price beyond 50 % price for -76 gasoline, with due regard to the operational cost, like other countries do;

Approval of the Governmental Program and individual regional programs, with due regard to specific conditions of regions, for use of natural gas as motor fuel for motor vehicles in Ukraine for the period until 2010, based on experience CNGS network of Ukrtransgas;

Development of the regional programs for natural gas use as motor fuel; coordination with and approval by local executive authorities; which programs should entrust entities concerned with relevant tasks.

Regional programs should provide for:
- analysis of demand of agricultural enterprises of the region (oblast, rayon) in converting lorries, tractors -150 and -700, 701 to gas diesel cycle (diesel oil and CNG);
- optimum location of CNGSs in regions;
- allocation of land plots for construction of CNGSs.

Adoption of the Law On State Policy of Natural Gas Use as Motor Fuel by the Parliament;

Creation of the specialized center at Ukrtransgas for coordination of the Program implementation, development of legal framework, control over construction of CNGSs. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine should approve the Regulations on the Center.

Igor ORLOV, UKRTRANSGAS Affiliated Company
Volodymyr KOZAK, UKRTRANSGAS Affiliated Company v Ukraine

Source: timeforgas.com