Your Guide To Choosing The Right CNG Cylinder Type

If you are planning to get CNG cylinders, it is important that you know about the types of cylinders available and which ones will be the most suitable for your application. This post covers the various types of CNG cylinders on offer and which purposes they are most ideal for.

Type 1: Steel

Steel CNG cylinders are the most common of all due to being relatively cheap. However, steel cylinders can be very heavy. Remember that a full Type 1 CNG cylinder can weigh over 350 pounds. But these cylinders can easily pass the safety inspections as they can resist small wearand-tear, such as scratches and dings. Other tank types are usually held to a higher standard.

Type 2: Hood-wrapped composite

You can get CNG cylinders of this Type that feature a metal liner and a composite wrap along their straight sides. The metal liner helps the cylinder to withstand the operating pressure by itself, and the composite wrap offers additional support and safety. Type 2 cylinders are heavier than Type 1, but much lighter than Type 3 and 4 CNG cylinders.

Type 3: Fully wrapped composite

Type 3 cylinders feature a metal liner wrapped on all surfaces with composite reinforcement. This composite wrap provides all the strength to the cylinder, and the metal liner ensures gas-tight integrity. These are mostly used for medical oxygen storage and SCUBA since they are lighter than

Type 3: Fully wrapped composite

Type 3 cylinders feature a metal liner wrapped on all surfaces with composite reinforcement. This composite wrap provides all the strength to the cylinder, and the metal liner ensures gas-tight integrity. These are mostly used for medical oxygen storage and SCUBA since they are lighter than Types 1 and 2.

Type 4: Fully-wrapped non-metallic liner

These are the most expensive CNG cylinders that cost around $3k to $5k. They feature a plastic liner, a permeation barrier and a full carbon fibre wrap. Even the larger ones weigh about 100 pounds when empty; their strength comes from carbon fibre wrapping. Type 4 cylinders aren't gas-tight and leak very slowly. The gas permeation is almost undetectable and does not cause any hazard. They are also fitted with impact protection on the domes for added strength. Type 4 cylinders are mostly used in small cars and buses.

Choosing the right Type of CNG gas cylinder

A heavy and durable steel tank, i.e. Type 1, is suitable for those on tight budgets, while Type 3 is a perfect choice in situations where the overall weight of the tank plays a significant role in the vehicle's performance. Type 4 is the lightest option to maximise the CNNG capacity while delivering the best overall mileage. Although you will have to pay a little extra, you will be confident that the tank is securely mounted and protected to avoid any damage risk.

When choosing a specific cylinder for your application, the main factors to consider are cost, durability, cylinder weight, pressure, and lifespan.

Industrial Applications: Onsite and portable

Type 1 CNG cylinders are best for on-site industrial use, especially for metal fabrication and welding. Type or three cylinders provide a better option for high-volume on-site industrial applications, especially when cylinders must be regularly refilled or moved around the site. These cylinders need not be removed, so their heavy weight is not a major consideration.

The main consideration for portable industrial applications like mining and mobile welding is their weight. For applications of limited portability, Type 1 cylinders are best matched, but Type 2 cylinders are often known to provide the best balance between portability and cost. In applications where low weights and significant portability is required, Type 3 cylinders are used.

Laboratory and scientific applications

Type 1 and 2 CNG cylinders are used in various in-lab applications, mostly where portability is not required. But for field work like equipment testing and calibration applications, Type 3 cylinders are more suitable. In some cases, Type 4 cylinders are more likely to be practical due to their lower weights.

Healthcare applications

The primary considerations when choosing cylinders for medical gas and oxygen therapy are capacity and weight. Type 1 cylinders were mostly preferred for hospital use, but Type 2 and 3 are used now. Lightweight cylinders are preferred for ambulance and portable/home oxygen use as they deliver real and practical benefits, mostly Type 3 cylinders with lower weights and higher capacities.

Breathing Apparatus

For SCUBA or diving purposes, Type 1 cylinders are the best options as their natural weight helps to balance out the diver's buoyancy. Type 3 cylinders are more suitable for other specialist commercial diving applications due to their additional capacity. Most modern emergency escape systems need a balance between weight, capacity and durability, offered by Type 3 cylinders. Also, for use in firefighting, since weight is the primary consideration, Type 3 cylinders are used. This is because they help to reduce weight by 35%. Type 4 cylinders are also used for this purpose, but their durability and impact resistance makes them less suitable for use in dangerous environments

These are the various types of CNG gas cylinders on offer and their applications per their features and characteristics. Which cylinder you choose largely depends upon its weight and the application it is intended to cover.

Source:

https://www.mymeetbook.com/readblog/15129_your-guide-to-choosing-the-rightcng-cylinder-type.html