CNG FUEL STORAGE AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR NATURAL GAS POWERED VEHICLES

摘要

Fuel storage and delivery systems for compressed natural gas are provided that are constructed from ultra-high strength, low alloy steels containing less than 2.5 wt % nickel and having a tensile strength greater than 900 MPa (130 ksi). A primary benefit is that systems of this invention have substantially lower weight than that of currently available steel-based systems. Consequently, the fuel efficiency of a CNG vehicle can be improved due to the lower weight of the system of this invention, or the driving range of the CNG vehicle can be improved by increased fuel storage for the same volume at an elevated pressure, or the load-carrying capacity of the CNG vehicle can be improved. Another primary benefit is that systems of this invention have a cost per unit strength substantially lower than that of currently available systems.