1. 1. Propane Autogas Jackson, Wyoming Larry Osgood Consulting Solutions, LLC Rocky Mountain Propane Association April 17, 2015 A Safe, Economical, and Environmentally Friendly Option for Fleet Vehicles
2. 2. Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and Experiences Agenda Successful Fleet InitiativesSuccessful Fleet Initiatives Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know ResourcesResources Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative
3. 3. Agenda Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and Experiences Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know ResourcesResources Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Successful Fleet InitiativesSuccessful Fleet Initiatives Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and ExperiencesSuccessful Fleet InitiativesSuccessful Fleet Initiatives Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know ResourcesResources Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative
4. 4. Agenda Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and Experiences Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know ResourcesResources Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Successful Fleet InitiativesSuccessful Fleet Initiatives Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and ExperiencesSuccessful Fleet InitiativesSuccessful Fleet Initiatives Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know ResourcesResources Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Skipping today, info at www/autogasusa.org
5. 5. Agenda Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and Experiences Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know ResourcesResources Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Successful Fleet InitiativesSuccessful Fleet Initiatives Valuable Information to Help Emergency Responders Prepare for Potential Propane Autogas Incidents Additional Resources to Help You Understand and Evaluate Propane-Autogas-Fueled-Vehicles Propane Autogas Fleet Owners Share Their Stories and ExperiencesSuccessful Fleet InitiativesSuccessful Fleet Initiatives Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know ResourcesResources Discussion of the Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits of Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative
6. 6. Propane Autogas: Economical, Environmental, and Safety Benefits
7. 7. Propane Autogas: A Smarter Vehicle Alternative Propane-autogas-fueled vehicles have existed for over 100 years Approximately 24 million propane-autogas-fueled vehicles are in operation around the globe Propane autogas is the most widely used alternative transportation fuel in the world
8. 8. Propane Autogas: The Smarter Vehicle Alternative Why the increased interest in propane-autogas-fueled vehicles? Economical Environmentally Friendly Safety AdvantagesDomestically Produced
9. 9. Economical Costs less per gallon than gasoline or diesel fuel Lower maintenance costs Incentives available for fleet use
10. 10. Economical Data provided by: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Americas Vehicle savings of ~$2,300 per vehicle fueled with propane autogas in 2014. This represents a 41% savings in fuel costs. Fuel Type Miles per Year Gallons Price per Gallon Annual Fuel Cost Gasoline 25,000 1850 $3.00 $5,550.00 Propane Autogas 25,000 2180 $1.50 $3,270.00 Savings $2,280.00
11. 11. Environmentally Friendly Propane-autogas-fueled vehicles emit 17 percent fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than gasoline-fueled vehicles. Emissions Comparison Gasoline-fueled Vehicle emissions Propane-autogas-fueled vehicles 12% fewer carbon dioxide emissions 20% fewer nitrogen oxide emissions 60% fewer carbon monoxide emissions
12. 12. Rocky Mountain Gas Production & Consumption Gross Production vs. Total ConsumptionColorado gas production has grown over 1.5 Bcf/d since January 2005 while total consumption has remained relatively flat and below production levels.Bcf/d Source: Encana Fundamentals, EIA, DI Desktop EXPORTEDVOLUME
13. 13. Source: Encana, EV Maps USA Natural Gas Liquids Major NGL Pipelines Mont Belvieu Conway Sarnia Marcellus Western Canada Hobbs South LA Skelly Medford Midwest Primary Hub Secondary Hub Flow Direction Bakken West Rockies Existing Pipeline East Rockies Planned Pipeline
14. 14. Overall Supply Potential for LPG NA supply potential for propane as additional autogas is about 10 Billion Gallons per Year About energy equivalent to US ethanol use About 5% of overall vehicle fuel use Additional 4 BGY w broader spec LPG Synthetic LPG from all liquid syn-fuels processes such as FT & MTG Bio LPG from NExBTL Neste bio-diesel HVO process 20BGY biomass to DME
15. 15. Flammability Range Among alternative fuels, propane has the narrowest flammability range Safety Advantages of Propane Autogas
16. 16. Requires a higher temperature to ignite than gasoline or diesel fuel Does not puddle vaporizes and dissipates into the air Cannot be accidentally ingested Safety Advantages of Propane Autogas
17. 17. Built-in safety devices and shut-off valves Propane tanks are 20 times more puncture-resistant than gasoline tanks Safety Advantages of Propane Autogas
18. 18. Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Meet Strict Set of Rules and Requirements The Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Environmental Protection Agency
19. 19. Propane-Autogas-Fueled Vehicles Meet Strict Set of Rules and Requirements American Society of Mechanical Engineers National Fire Protection Association Underwriters Laboratory
20. 20. Technology Enhancements Changing Perceptions Performance level equal or greater than gasoline- and diesel-fueled vehicles Better system integration Highly trained mechanics
21. 21. Successful Fleet Initiatives
22. 22. Successful Fleet Initiatives Raleigh (N.C.) Police DepartmentPortland (Ore.) School District Zion (Utah) National Park
23. 23. Successful Fleet Initiatives Portland, Oregon School District
24. 24. Successful Fleet Initiatives Portland, Oregon School District Portland School District has used propane-autogas-fueled buses for more than 30 years Owns and operates about 75 buses In addition, First Student owns and operates a large fleet for the school district
25. 25. Successful Fleet Initiatives Portland, Oregon School District As you can imagine, when you operate as many fleet buses as we do in a large city like Portland, occasionally, accidents are going to happen. Ive been here for six years and I dont know of any propane autogas safety issues that weve ever encountered as the result of an accident. These buses and their fuel tanks are extremely durable. Eric Stewart, Fleet Service Coordinator Portland, Oregon Public School District
26. 26. Successful Fleet Initiatives Raleigh, North Carolina Police Department Image Courtesy of City of Raleigh
27. 27. Successful Fleet Initiatives Raleigh, North Carolina Police Department Between 2011 and 2012, the Raleigh Police Department purchased 20 bi-fuel vehicles for its fleet The police department views propane autogas as a safe, cost-effective fuel that helps them serve and protect their community When we started looking into replacing our patrol cars, we had certain criteria that needed to be met. First and foremost, they needed to be safe. Doug Brugger, Police Captain Raleigh, North Carolina Police Department
28. 28. Successful Fleet Initiatives Zion National Park, Utah
29. 29. Successful Fleet Initiatives Zion National Park, Utah In 2000, Zion National Park instituted a propane-autogas- fueled shuttle bus service Fleet of 32 buses and 23 passenger trailers The National Park Service uses propane-autogas-fueled vehicles to reduce pollution
30. 30. Successful Fleet Initiatives Zion National Park, Utah Not only are these buses better for the environment, theyre safe. We transport approximately 3.4 million people with them each year and theyve proven to be as durable as gasoline- or diesel- fueled busses. Jack Burns, Concessions Management Chief Zion National Park, Utah
31. 31. Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know
32. 32. Emergency Responders: What You Need to Know Propane vehicles, if theyre handled and maintained properly, are very safe and they offer a lot of benefits to fleet users. However, since the fuel has different characteristics than gasoline or diesel, its important to understand those differences. James Mays Jr., Vice President and Interior Firefighter, Sheridan Fire Department, New York
33. 33. Propane Properties Tasteless, colorless, and naturally odorless Propane manufacturers add odorant (ethyl mercaptan) Capable of being either liquid or gas; in ambient conditions, it is a gas Flammability range of 2.2 percent to 9.6 percent Approximate ignition temperature of 920 degrees Fahrenheit If liquid propane leaks, it will vaporize and dissipate into the air (will not puddle)
34. 34. Propane Properties Stored and transported as a liquid (under pressure) and can vaporize under the proper conditions Vaporizes at approximately -44 degrees Fahrenheit One cubic foot of propane will boil off (expand) into 270 feet of vapor If liquid propane contacts skin, immediate frostbite results
35. 35. Vehicle Identification Propane identification decals are mounted on the lower right rear of the vehicle (above the bumper) Decal is black, diamond shaped with a luminous light silver or white border, and with the word PROPANE
36. 36. Vehicle Components Fuel tank Fuel tank mounting and bracket system Fuel system and line
37. 37. Fuel Tanks Built in several shapes and sizes Installed in a variety of locations (depending on the type of vehicle) Vehicles may have more than one tank Tanks rated for 312 psig Pressure-relief valves vent to outside of vehicle 20 times more puncture-resistant than a gas tank Equipped with manual shutoff, excess flow, and automatic closure features
38. 38. Fuel Tanks The location of manual shutoff valves are typically marked on many vehicles
39. 39. Fuel Tank Durability Propane tanks are more durable than gasoline or diesel tanks. If in the rare instance a tank were to get punctured as the result of an accident, it doesnt mean that the vehicle would explode like you might see in a Hollywood movie. James Mays, Jr., Vice President and Interior Firefighter Sheridan Fire Department, New York Click link below to play video http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=jAI12LtFkjw
40. 40. Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems Fuel tanks can be mounted inside or outside of a vehicle Typical exterior mounts include: Pickup truck bed Under a flat or stake bed of a truck Along the frame rails of a truck or bus Typical interior mounts include: Trunk of a passenger car (e.g., taxi and police car) Rear of a van, minivan, or SUV Must be installed with protective enclosure to prevent leaks to passenger compartment All tanks must be protected to prevent damage from objects encountered on roadways
41. 41. Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems Exterior mount on pickup truck bed Images courtesy of Roush CleanTech Enlarged View
42. 42. Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems Exterior mount on DRW cabin chassis Images courtesy of Roush CleanTech Enlarged View
43. 43. Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems Interior mount in van Images courtesy of Roush CleanTech Enlarged View
44. 44. Fuel Tank Mounting & Bracket Systems Larger vehicles and buses may have bracket systems Buses utilize a bracket system that provides added protection Tanks located between bus frame rails
45. 45. Fuel Systems and Lines Three types of fuel systems 1. Vapor fuel injection system Propane stored in tank in liquid form Relatively low pressure of 10-200 psi Passes through fuel line to engine, converted to vapor by a heat exchanger/regulator Vapor mixes with air and enters combustion chamber Similar to a traditional vehicle carburetor system
46. 46. Fuel Systems and Lines 2. Liquid port fuel injection system New and popular technology Liquid propane is injected into the intake port Improves engine durability and power output 3. Direct Injection Liquid propane is injected into the combustion chamber Improves engine efficiency and power output increased Image courtesy of Roush CleanTech
47. 47. Fuel Systems and Lines Propane autogas fuel lines are typically routed through the vehicle in the same location as the original factory fuel lines Fuel lines are typically made of stainless steel to handle the varying temperatures and pressures of liquid propane An automatic shutoff valve prevents the flow of fuel to the engine when it is not running, even if the ignition switch is in the on position
48. 48. Vehicle Refueling Distinct differences in propane autogas dispensing systems Sealed systems Operate under higher pressure Above-ground storage Tanks filled to 80% to allow expansion Pump/dispenser uses standard 110/220V electrical
49. 49. Approaching and Assessing a Vehicle Incident Its difficult to change a perception without first understanding the facts. Through public education and quality training, emergency responders and citizens in our communities can see the benefits of propane autogas and understand that it is safe. Mark Holloway, Volunteer Fire Chief West I-10 Fire Department, Texas
50. 50. Resources
51. 51. Propane Autogas Resources www.propane.com This Propane Education & Research Council (PERC)-sponsored website provides information on the several different types of propane-autogas-fueled vehicles (and other types of propane equipment), fueling with propane autogas, adoption incentives, and propane autogas webinars. http://www.propanesafety.com This PERC website provides information and training dates for the Propane Emergencies program. http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/propane.html The U.S. Department of Energys Alternative Fuels Data Center website delivers information on various alternative-fueled vehicles, including those fueled by propane autogas.
52. 52. Propane Vehicle ROI Savings Calculation US DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center Vehicle Cost Calculator http://www.afdc.energy.gov/calc/ Roush CleanTech Propane Autogas Vehicle Calculator http://www.roushcleantech.com/popup/CleanTechSaving sCalc.htm AmeriGas Autogas Propane ROI Calculator http://www.amerigas.com/autogas/calculator.html
53. 53. Propane Autogas Vehicle Resources http://www.collinsbus.com The Collins Bus Corporation website provides information about the many buses it manufactures, including the first developed Type A NEXBUS school bus fueled by propane autogas. http://www.roushcleantech.com Calculate your emissions savings with propane autogas, view products, and learn why propane autogas is the fuel choice for progressive companies such as ROUSH. http://www.blue-bird.com The Blue Bird website contains information about the different types of buses it manufactures and the affordable green solutions its propane-autogas-fueled buses offer.
54. 54. Please contact us with any further questions or comments: Rocky Mountain Propane Association Larry Osgood LDOGood1@aol.com 719 487-0080