Chilled Natural Gas for At-Home Refueling
Technology Description:
General Electric (GE) Global Research is developing a low-cost, at-home natural gas refueling system that reduces fueling time and eliminates compression stages. Traditional compressor-based natural gas refueling systems require removal of water from natural gas through complicated desiccant cycles to avoid damage. GE's design uses a chiller to cool the gas to a temperature below -50°C, which would separate water and other contaminants from the natural gas. This design has very few moving parts, will operate quietly, and will be virtually maintenance-free. This simplified, compressor-free design could allow fast refueling at 10% of the cost of today's systems.
Potential Impact:
If successful, GE's chilled natural gas technology would dramatically improve the cost, efficiency, and stability of at-home refueling systems and reduce fueling time to 1 hour.
Security:
Improving the convenience of natural gas vehicle ownership could reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make consumers less vulnerable to sudden oil price shocks.
Environment:
Natural gas vehicles produce approximately 10% less greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline-powered vehicles throughout the fuel life cycle.
Economy:
Compressed natural gas currently costs half as much per gallon of gasoline equivalent. With the average American spending over $2000 per year on gas, enabling the use of natural gas vehicles could save drivers $1000 per year.
Contact
ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Dane Boysen
Project Contact:
Dr. Anna Lis Laursen
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
anna.laursen@ge.com
Partners
University of Missouri
Chart Industries, Inc.
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Release Date:
02/22/2012