CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) is a fuel made by pressurizing natural gas to about 20 MPa and storing it in gaseous form in special containers. Its main component is methane (CH₄), which usually accounts for more than 90%, with the remainder being small amounts of ethane, propane, and non-hydrocarbon gases (such as nitrogen and carbon dioxide).

Source: Mainly from gas fields, associated gas from oil fields, or coalbed methane, which is compressed and stored after purification treatment such as dehydration and desulfurization.

State: Gas at room temperature and high pressure, no cryogenic liquefaction required (unlike LNG).

Difference from natural gas

Natural gas generally refers to a mixture of hydrocarbon gases found in nature, while CNG is a compressed natural gas fuel specifically used for transportation or industrial applications.

1. Technical parameters and characteristics

Parameters: CNG vs. Comparison with fuels (LNG/gasoline)

Storage pressure: 20 MPa (approximately 200 atmospheres)

With a flash point of 650℃ (higher than gasoline's 427℃), it is less likely to ignite and therefore safer.

Emission characteristics: Sulfur-free, low CO₂, PM2.5 emissions reduced by 90%.

Advantages:

Environmental friendliness: It produces almost no sulfides or particulate matter after combustion, and its CO₂ emissions are 25% lower than those of gasoline.

Economic efficiency: The unit energy cost is approximately 60%-70% of that of gasoline (estimated based on 2025 prices).

2. Application Scenarios

Transportation

Buses/Taxi: CNG vehicles are widely used in major cities across China.

Short-haul logistics vehicles: Suitable for urban delivery, but rarely used for long-distance transportation due to limitations in the density of gas stations.

Industrial and civil use

Industrial fuel: Used for heating kilns in industries such as ceramics and glass, replacing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Community gas supply: As a supplement to piped natural gas, it provides energy to remote areas.

CNG, as a clean and economical fuel, has significant advantages in public transportation and industrial sectors, but its energy density and refueling infrastructure limit its long-distance applications. In the future, with technological upgrades (such as composite material cylinders) and policy support (such as carbon emission reduction subsidies), the CNG market is expected to expand further.