Compressed natural gas as motor fuel: possibilities, problems and solutions

The article is devoted to the increase of the cargo vehicles market on the gas-engine fuel. The article considers the relevance of the use of the alternative types of transport’s fuels. As potential energy carriers for internal combustion engines, gas engine fuels are considered. Prospects and problems of using natural gas as motor fuel, as well as ecological and economic aspects of the use of compressed natural gas as fuel for vehicles are presented. Prospects for expanding the market for trucks powered by gas engine fuel are discussed, as well as the advantages of using natural gas as a safe, environmentally friendly and economical type of alternative fuel are considered. It is shown that the main obstacle to the expansion of the gas engine vehicles’ market is the underdevelopment of the infrastructure: filling stations and service centres. The organization of gas-cylinder vehicles (GCV) servicing is considered. The authors have developed an imitation model that allows determining the optimal number of repair stations for the service centre, as well as software for forecasting the required number of automobile gas filling compressor stations (AGFCS).