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The National Gas Regulatory Entity (Enargas) updated in October 2022 the regulations on vehicular natural gas storage cylinders (GNV) to “improve the safety conditions” of the installed equipment.
Who must carry out the “mandatory hydraulic test” they will have to replace the tube valve with a new part called an “electrically operated cylinder lock valve”.
Through Resolution No. 375/2022, Enargas updated the regulation of valve pressure relief device for Vehicular Natural Gas (GNV) storage cylinders.
In Classifieds The Voice A few days ago we told you about these changes that will impact the pocket of those who use CNG vehicles.
With the incorporation of the Pressure Relief Device (DAP) activated by temperature that is proposed -as a complement to the already required combined device-, it will be possible to “improve the safety conditions of the installed CNG containers”, in eventual episodes that involve to said containers with a localized or generalized fire, which could cause them to collapse, the norm specified.
According to Enargas, the installed pressure relief safety systems would be activated more quickly and effectively, in terms of response time and relief flow, whatever the operating conditions of the vehicle installation at that time.
As a consequence, a more consolidated and sustainable natural gas system for vehicular use would be achieved which, through an adequate ventilation system, could prevent eventual damage to people and property, the resolution completed.
GNC: the changes that are coming
The Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) market in Argentina has been going through a complex moment due to the drop in conversions compared to last year and the gases that users must face.
- A fifth generation computer averages $180,000
- The hydraulic test (every five years) is around $17,000
- Annual wafer renewal costs between $6,000 and $7,000
- Now add the expense of a new ($25,000 or more) cylinder lock valve. The price of the new valve is one per tube. This means that those who have two cylinders must change both.
Who must carry out the “mandatory hydraulic test” they will have to replace the tube valve.
Valve replacement since March
According to Resolution 375/2022 of the National Gas Regulatory Entity (Enargas), all vehicles in time to carry out the hydraulic test from March 23 they must also replace the tube valve(s) with a new part.
“Enargas carried out, together with the Argentine Chamber of Complete Equipment Producers (Capec), a field test collecting valves from the Cylinder Periodic Inspection Centers (CRPC) and it was shown that 99 percent of the disassembled valves were not suitable for be reassembled. Therefore, in the hydraulic test the existing valve has to be replaced by a new one”, he explained to Classifieds The Voice Ariel Palomeque, deputy secretary of the CNG Chamber (Capec) and commercial manager of Nova GNC.
New fire prevention system
Today, all CNG equipment in Argentina is using a cylinder valve that has several safety devices. One of them is the burst disk, whose function in the event of a fire is to vent the gas when the tube reaches a temperature of 250° (it acts like a torch that throws the gas out of the cylinder in a controlled manner).
The new regulations adopted by Mercosur now require the replacement of a valve: it has a brand new independent electronic safety device (DAP) that allows the pressure to be released through two independent channels: one by temperature (when it exceeds 100°) and the other by pressure, when it exceeds 250 bar.
Dissenting voices about the new CNG valve
From the CNG Chamber of the Interior of the country, its president, Marcelo Zanoni, defined this measure as arbitrary.
According to the manager, this so-called new valve has been in the world for 12 years and should have been implemented from that moment and not now, forcing users to replace one that was already approved by Enargas 10 years ago.
“Why should the user who paid for equipment with a valve that has a serial number and was approved by Enargas pay for a new expense? They (Enargas) should bear this cost”said Marcelo Zanoni.
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