Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 11:58:56 -0600 From: "Walt Kienzle" <wkienzlenopsam.net> Subject: Re: Autogas (LPG) conversions.
You offer several good points here. I have been looking at CNG systems, and one dealer told me that someone tested a CNG fitted car for safety by hoisting it 8 stories into the air and dropping it on its tail. The fuel tank remained intact, but the hood/bonnet few off and the battery flew through the windshield. I would have more faith in the safety provided by the fuel tanks for these alternate fuel systems than in the thin sheet metal or plastic used by car manufacturers for the standard gasoline tanks. Just my opinion. Walt Kienzle 1991 9000T "Nel Frikandel" <nelfrikandelnopsamail.com> wrote in message news:ndj14v8kkoi1oru0o2irho7d0m311bukv7nopsamcom... > On Tue, 4 Feb 2003 19:31:19 +0000 (UTC), "murphwiz" > <nutz76nopsamternet.comUHOH!> wrote: > > >The real disadvantage is that the fuel has > >> > a vapor pressure of 150 psi at 70 deg.fah. .....very dangerous in a > >> > accident of course. > > I'm not saying I'm an expert, but over here it is generally assumed > that LPG systems are much safer than fuel in collisions. LPG tanks are > designed to hold pressurized gas, and each and every tank has to be > tested at pressures far higher than they will ever be used under. Due > to their location (generally behind the rear seat, so on top of the > rear axle, or in the spare tire compartment) they're unlikely to be > hit in a rear end crash, and if hit, can hardly tear or burst. > > Furthernore LPG systems are equipped with an electronic shutter that > shuts down the gas immediately when the motor stops, so in case that > in a frontal collision a part of the LPG system (vaporizer, hose) > breaks, the gas immediately vaporizes, and since the shutter shuts, no > more gas leaks out. > > Car fires after accidents are IMHO largely caused by fuel leaks under > the hood, caused by the crash. Fuel in liquid form leaks out, and can > drip onto the exhaust manufold, ignited by a spark from the battery or > whatever and start burning. LPG will have evaporated and flown away > before it can form a risk.
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