Cover Story
Understanding how to maintain a natural gas fuel tank is one of the most important steps to
learning about natural gas service.
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is going to work the same way whether
it is CNG or LNG,��� he says. ���From its
storage [on the truck] to the regulator
is where the differences arise.���
A technician needs to understand
those differences when performing maintenance on or around the
vehicle���s fuel tanks, Davis says.
���When we do training we tell
[students] that natural gas is different
than other fuels. Not more dangerous,
just different,��� he says. ���You have to
understand that you are working with
a high-pressure gas and not a liquid
fuel.���
While both CNG and LNG are
stored in large cylindrical tanks on a
heavy-duty truck, a CNG tank must
be considerably stronger to handle the
increased pressure of the fuel inside.
Also, when damaged, a CNG tank
may not show immediate visible
leakage, but the scent of gas should be
evident in the air, Haupt says.
January 2013
For a diesel technician used to
dealing with fuel spills on the ground,
rising fuel spills can be a risk and a
challenge.
Haupt says a technician must be
able to quickly recognize the odor of
a CNG leak and properly ventilate his
workspace to allow the fuel to clear the
area. When possible, servicing a CNG
truck outside can allow easy ventilation in the case of a fuel leak.
Technicians also need to understand the risks associated with an LNG
leak. Because of its extreme temperature, LNG can burn skin. Technicians
must wear protective gear when maintaining, working around or re���lling an
LNG tank.
It���s also important for technicians to understand that natural gas
is extremely ���ammable. Heavy-duty
natural gas engines operate with a
spark ignition system. As soon as the
fuel comes in contact with an open
