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What is (bio)LNG?

LNG stands for Liquefied Natural Gas and is currently one of the cleanest fuels in the transportation sector.

 

Natural gas is liquefied by cooling it to very low temperatures. In this process, it shrinks greatly, making it easier to transport and store. LNG does not ignite, is odorless, and non-toxic.

 

PitPoint.LNG has LNG filling stations in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, and an LNG bunkering station in Germany. Our network and that of Europe overall is constantly expanding. The entire European LNG network for heavy-duty road transport can be found in our app LNG Network for Apple and Android.

Advantages of LNG

  • LNG emits less CO2*
  • Driving on LNG causes less noise pollution
  • LNG burns cleaner: less PM10- and NOx emissions than Euro VI diesel**

Liquefied Natural Gas

Natural gas is a compound of light hydrocarbons consisting mostly of methane. It is found naturally in some porous rocks. Natural gas is liquefied by cooling it to -162ºC. With this, the volume decreases by a factor of 600. This makes it easier to transport to the refueling and bunkering stations, and the amount of gas that fits into a truck or vessel fuel tank is higher which increases the range. LNG contains more energy per kilogram than a liter of diesel. This means that with the same efficiency, less LNG is needed to bridge the same distance.

BioLNG

BioLNG is the renewable and non-fossil variant of LNG. BioLNG is obtained from organic material such as waste and residues. The organic material is converted to biogas in a digester. The biogas is purified into gas that has the same properties as natural gas; biomethane. Then the same procedures can be followed to liquefy it. The end product bioLNG is identical to LNG and therefore both fuels can be used interchangeably. This means that switching from LNG to bioLNG requires no modifications and it is possible to offer blends of these two fuels.

 

The additional advantage of bioLNG is that it is a renewable fuel, further reducing well-to-wheel CO2 emissions compared to LNG.

ISCC certified

PitPoint.LNG is ISCC certified. ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) is a globally applicable certification scheme for the verifiable management of sustainable biomass. This certification scheme is based on the RED II.

 

ISCC is intended for all elements of the supply chain of sustainable materials; farms or plantations, point of origins of wastes and residues, processing units, traders, and storage facilities (excluding transport companies). To make sure the concept of sustainable fuels is protected, to proof that the raw materials and processed goods are produced in a sustainable way and meet legal and voluntary requirements, every part of the supply chain needs to be ISCC certified.

FAQ

What are the differences between LNG and diesel trucks?

Nowadays, LNG trucks are equivalent to diesel trucks in terms of power, range and cargo space. There is plenty of choice of full-fledged, advanced LNG trucks from the leading truck brands.

 

What are the advantages of LNG?

LNG burns cleaner than diesel. An LNG truck emits 15% less CO2*, 95% less particulate matter (PM10-) and 60% less nitrogen oxides (NOx)** than a Euro VI diesel truck. The use of bioLNG increases CO2 reduction by as much as 80%. This leads directly to an improvement of air quality in the direct living environment. Besides, a truck on LNG runs 50% quieter than a diesel truck. This allows transporters to also load and unload outside window hours.

 

Is LNG as a fuel safe?

LNG is not toxic or corrosive. It is odorless and not under pressure. In its liquid form, it cannot inflame. All equipment used meets the strictest requirements and there are decades of experience with it. All trucks are extensively tested. Therefore, LNG is as safe as other fuels in transport.

 

Why is LNG calculated in kilograms instead of liters?

Natural gas is usually calculated in cubic meters, but the amount of energy per cubic meter is not always the same; it depends on pressure and temperature. Gas expands with heat and contract with cold. The number of kg of gas does remain the same under varying temperatures or pressures. This is why natural gas as a fuel is sold per kilogram (kg).

 

Can you compare a kg of LNG to a liter of diesel?

LNG does have a higher energy value per kg than diesel per liter. You can drive as far with 1 kg of LNG as with 1,39 liters of diesel***.

Is the refueling of LNG different from refueling diesel?

The refueling of LNG is not very different from the refueling of diesel, and it is just as fast. The main difference is that LNG refueling required personal protective equipment (PPE):

 

  1. Face shield
  2. Cryogenic gloves (EN511 code 021)
  3. Long sleeves and long trousers
  4. Robust closed shoes

 

What is Well-to-Wheel (WTW) and Tank-to-Wheel (TTW)?

TTW only calculates direct emissions from the activity and WTW calculates both the activity’s pre-chain emissions and direct emissions (TTW).

 

What is the difference between LNG, LPG and CNG?

LPG – also known as Autogas – is a by-product of oil refining. LPG consists mainly of propane and butane. LPG remains liquid by keeping it under increased pressure (5-7 bar). LNG, on the other hand, remains liquid under atmospheric pressure at very low temperature (-162°C), but LNG is natural gas under atmospheric conditions (15°C & 1 atm). Natural gas is lighter than air and therefore LNG dilutes quickly when released. LPG components are heavier than air. The properties of both gases are very different.

CNG is compressed natural gas. The natural gas is compressed to a pressure of about 200 bar and as a result, the volume becomes smaller. The energy density of CNG is much lower than that of LNG. With a similar tank capacity, you can drive 3 times further with LNG. That is why CNG is better suited for passenger vehicles and light or short-haul road transport. The environmental benefits of both fuels are similar.