Development of Cng Infrastructure in India with ... - GAIL (India)

The above situation had given dubious distinction to Delhi as one of themost polluted city of the world.With the increasing number of pollutants in Delhi’s air and with thebackground of increasing trend in the use of CNG in the other parts of theworld, Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Hon’ble SupremeCourt of India in 1985 seeking intervention in this matter. The Hon’bleSupreme Court had directed the Government of India to take initiative inpromoting the use of CNG, an established clean fuel in the world astransport fuel in Delhi to control the increasing levels of ambient airpollution.2. What is CNG? Properties of Natural Gas:CNG is the short form of Compressed Natural Gas. The Natural Gas hasless energy density as compared to Liquid Fuel and hence it iscompressed to over 200 Kg/cm² (g) pressure to make it CNG for use in theautomobile sector. In its natural form it is colourless, odourless, non-toxicand non-carcinogenic. However, this natural gas is mixed with an odorantto add flavour similar to the odour of LPG from a domestic cylinder so asto facilitate detection of its leakage. The typical composition and physicalproperties of CNG (i.e. Compressed Natural Gas) is as follows:Typical Composition:Methane : 88%Ethane : 5%Propane : 1%CO 2 : 5%Others : 1%____Total : 100%Physical Properties :Non-toxic –Lighter than air –Natural gas being lead/sulphur free, its use substantiallyreduces harmful engine emissions. When natural gasburns completely, it gives out carbon dioxide andwater vapour - the very components we give out whilebreathing!Natural gas being lighter than air, will rise aboveground level and disperse in the atmosphere, in thecase of a leakage.2