EAST BAY CLEAN CITIES COALITION

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EAST BAY CLEAN CITIES COALITION

Propane OverviewRichard Battersby

Director, East Bay Clean Cities Coalition

Date

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About Clean Cities

Mission To advance the energy, economic, and environmental security of the United States by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that reduce the use of petroleum in the transportation sector

Goal

Reduce petroleum use by 2.5 billion gallons per year by 2020

• Replacement • Reduction• Elimination

Accomplishments• Displaced nearly 3 billion gallons of petroleum since 1993• Put more than 775,000 alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) on the road• Installed more than 6,600 alternative fueling stations

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About Clean Cities

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Propane Basics

• Three-carbon alkane gas C3H8

• Also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

• Colorless, odorless liquid (when stored under pressure)

• High octane rating

• Nontoxic

• By-product of natural gas processing and crude oil refining

• Accounts for 2% of energy used in the U.S.

• Less than 2% of propane used in U.S. used in transportation

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Propane Basics

Propane as a Transportation Fuel

• World’s third most common engine fuel

• Considered an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy Act of 1992

• Mix of propane (at least 90%), butane, butylene

• Stored in on-board tank at 125-150 psi

• 25% less energy than gasoline

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Propane Basics

Production of Propane

• Domestically produced

• By-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining

• Propane boiling point: -44º F

• Methane boiling point: -127º F

• Separated from methane through increased pressure, decreased temperature

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Propane Basics

Propane Distribution

• Shipped via pipeline, rail, barge, truck, or tanker ship

• Propane trucks distribute to end users

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Propane Benefits

Energy Security• More than 60% of U.S. petroleum

imported

• World petroleum supplies in unstable regions

• Propane use diversifies U.S. energy consumption

Convenience, Performance, Safety • Vehicle technology well established

• Fueling stations widely available

• Extensive existing infrastructure

• High energy density

• Low flammability

• Puncture-resistant tanks

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Propane Benefits

Public Health and Environment

• Converted vehicles:

o Significant reductions in particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions

o Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduced 21-24%

• Manufactured propane vehicles:

o Significantly lower emissions in PM, CO, Nox, and total hydrocarbons.

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Use: Propane Vehicles

Vehicle Types• Dedicated propane

• Bi-fuel

Similar to Gasoline Vehicles• Power

• Acceleration

• Cruising speed

Driving Range• Lower than gasoline vehicles

• Liquid propane injection engines hold promise

Maintenance Costs• Lower than gasoline vehicles

• Low oil contamination

• No cold-start problems

• Double engine life of gas engines

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Use: Propane Vehicles

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Use: Propane Vehicles

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Use: Propane Stations

Getting Started• Set your fleet up for success

• Convenience is key

Infrastructure Investments• Tank

• Pump

• Metering equipment

• Less expensive than natural gas infrastructure

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For More Information

•CClean Cities

Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC)

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For More Information

Clean Citieswww.cleancities.energy.gov

Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC)www.afdc.energy.gov

Clean Cities Coordinator Contact Information and Coalitionwww.afdc.energy.gov/cleancities/progs/coordinators.php

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For More Information