Yes... but are they safe?

VEHICLES throughout Canada
are being switched from petrole-
um-based gasoline to any of sever-
al alternative fuels coming on the
market. Two of the most popular
are the gaseous fuels: propane and
natural gas.

Many consumers are asking
whether gaseous fuels are as safe
as gasoline. Researchers respond
with a resounding yes.

One of the most striking
Statistics comes from Italy, where
natural gas from the Po Valley has
been fuelling vehicles since the
1920s. Italy has 250,000 natural
gas vehicles on the road and more
than 220 public refuelling outlets.
A research engineer with Energy,
Mines and Resources says that not
one traffic fatality in Italy has
been attributed to the use of natu-
ral gas.

There are several explanations
for the striking safety record of
gaseous fuels in vehicles. Some in-
volve the nature of the fuels
themselves.

Neither propane nor natural gas
is toxic. This means that anyone
breathing fumes from these gases
will not be poisoned, but they do
displace oxygen and can cause
asphyxiation by interfering with
the flow of oxvgen to the lungs.

29 - Wednesday, July 16, 1986 - North Shore News

——T ransporiation Energy,
Moving Forward

This poses little threat to com-
muters. An odorant is added to
give the gas a characteristic smell
for easy detection should a leak
occur.

In some ways, gaseous fuel leaks
pose less danger than gasuline.
Because natural gas is lighter than
air, vapour from a leak will
disperse as it is released. Propane
is only slightly heavier than air,
and light air movement will
disperse it. In unventilated areas,
propane can be a concern because
it will not escape through tiny
cracks or through thin materials.
Gasoline is heavier than air and
thus can pool to potentially ex-
plosive levels if proper ventilation
is not provided.

Finally, both gaseous fuels take
higher temperatures to ignite than
gasoline. If a thoughtless
bystander lights a cigarette at an
accident, it is unlikely to start a
fire from escaping propane or nat-
ural gas. A temperature of only
257°C ~ will ignite gasoline, but
propane requires 490°C and natural
gas needs an even hotter spark,
649°C.

Carburetion systems designed
for both gases boast back-up safe-
ty features. Propane storage tanks
must be able to withstand

pressures four to five times greater
than their working pressure. There
are also several relief valves in a
propane-equipped vehicle to:

© automatically shut off fuel
flow if a fuel line ruptures,

* release excess pressure in case
of overheating or overfilling,

@ prevent gas or liquid from
backing up during filling, and _

® prevent fuel flow during an
engine stall or when the engine is
off.

Similar safety features are found
in natural gas-vehicles. In addition
to the valves, the tanks are
mounted to the body of the car
with a cradle, frame and steel
straps.

Design and manufacturing
specifications assure that the com-
ponents of the gaseous fuel system
are stronger than the vehicles in
which they are used. In one test
where a vehicle was subjected to a
rear-end collision at 100 km/hr,
the natural gas cylinder escaped
unscathed even though the frame
of the car was crushed.

Conversion of vehicles to use
gascous fuels is controlled by
legislation. Only instailers certified
by the appropriate provincial
authority are allowed to perform
this work.

Ten commandments

for fuel

1. Inflate your tires to maximum
recommended levels.

2. Check your tire pressure at
least twice a month.

3. Keep your car engine well
tuned.

4. Share rides instead of driving
alone.

5. Maintain posted highway
speeds. (Most cars use about 10
per cent less fuel when driven at 90
km/hr instead of 100 km/hr.)

6. Use flow-through ventilation
whenever possible instead of open
windows or air conditioning.

7. Avoid traffic jams by planning

i-efficient driving

your route ahead of time.

8. Don't make several trips when
one will do.

9. Anticipate stops and avoid
‘jack-rabbit’ starts to save gas and
reduce wear on brakes and tires.

10. Fuel-Efficient Driving is Safe
and $ensible.

Is your number plate telling you it’s renewal time?

Ifthe decal on your number plate is *

JUL 867°

your auto insurance and

vehicle licence must be renewed by the first of August. Make a date with your
Autoplan agent anytime in July. and take time to discuss your insurance needs,

itis extremely important to insure your vehicle in the correct
rate class. If your vehicle is improperly rated, a claim on your
Own Damage coverage (e.g. Collision, Comprehensive) canbe
denied and you may be required to reimburse the Corporation

for any Third Party claims paid on your behalf.

ay Ensuringa

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IT’S ABOUT TIME
Why didn't someone think of this before?

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