LPG Gas Car & LPG Conversion: How an LPG Gas Car Works – Autogas

LPG Gas Car & LPG Conversion: How an LPG Gas Car Works – Autogas

LPG conversion (LP gas conversion) to an LPG car (LPG gas auto) is when a second fuel system is added to a vehicle to use Autogas as gas for cars in an LPG car with an internal combustion engine.

The LPG car (LPG gas auto) user can then choose between using either Autogas gas for cars or petrol.

Autogas gas for cars is LPG fuel for an LPG car (LPG gas car).

Autogas gas for cars for LPG car (LPG gas car) is added to save money on fuel costs. Autogas gas for cars can be propane, butane or a mixture of the gases.

When LPG fuel is used in LP gas cars (LPG cars) with internal combustion engines or for stationary engines, like generators, it is called Autogas (LPG gas for cars).

Autogas gas for cars is a varying mixture of propane and butane.

How an LPG gas car (LPG car) with Autogas gas for cars works in an engine is fundamentally the same as a gasoline (petrol) powered internal combustion engine.

The engine block, pistons, spark plugs, ignition system, lubrication system and electricals all work the same on Autogas gas for cars, consisting of propane, butane or a blend of the two and are also referred to as natural gas liquids – NGL.

The two main differences in how Autogas gas for cars works in an LPG car (LPG gas auto) are the fuel itself and the fuel storage and intake systems.

With an octane rating of over 100, Autogas gas for cars works with virtually any petrol engine.

There are 25 million LPG gas car (LPG car) & LPG vehicles on Autogas gas for cars worldwide.

An LPG gas car (LPG car) can be OEM single fuel models or dual fuel LPG vehicle conversions that run on either Autogas gas for cars or petrol.

Benefits of an LPG Car

1. Fuel Cost Savings: LPG is cheaper than either petrol (gasoline) or diesel fuel. Dual fuel range means it is easier to span the time between service station price cycles, taking advantage of the lower prices when available.
2. Dual Fuel: Virtually all LPG conversions are dual fuel vehicles after conversion, meaning they can run on either LPG or petrol at the flick of a switch.
3. Extraordinary Range: With a dual fuel vehicle, you get extraordinary range with two fuel tanks.
4. Reduced Exhaust Emissions: LPG produces less CO₂ than either petrol or diesel. Diesel also emits nitrogen oxides (NOx) and diesel particulate matter (DPM) including fine carbon particles, not present with LPG.
5. Cleaner Burning and Reduced Engine Wear: LPG is a cleaner burning fuel, resulting is less carbon deposits. Also, as the octane rating of LPG is typically over 100, there is no pre-ignition (knocking) thereby reducing engine wear.
6. Environmental Advantages: If spilled, LPG will just dissipate into the air without creating the hazardous waste problem of spilled petrol and diesel. In addition to the reduced emissions compared to other fossil fuels, LPG can also be cleaner than an electric vehicle if charged with coal fired electricity.

Disadvantages of an LPG Car

1. Conversion Cost: There is the upfront cost of converting the vehicle to run on LPG, although that should be more than recovered by fuel cost savings.
2. Conversion Only: There are no longer any factory built LPG cars in Australia, requiring an LPG conversion.
3. Cargo Space: Depending on the vehicle, there may be a reduction in cargo space. This isn’t a problem with toroidal LPG tanks that fit into the spare tyre well or if the LPG tank is mounted underneath the vehicle.
4. Less Places to Refuel: Not all service stations have LPG but a fair number do.
5. Fuel Efficiency: An LPG engine burns more litres of fuel but this is more than offset by the lower LPG fuel cost. This may affect refueling frequency, depending on the size of the LPG tank.

What is Autogas (LPG Gas for Cars): LPG Conversion – LP Gas Conversion for LPG Car

What is Autogas? Autogas is LPG gas for cars – LPG car.

Autogas gas for cars is stored in an LPG car gas tank after an LPG conversion (LP gas conversion) after which petrol cars are dual fuel LPG car (LPG gas auto).

LPG is a fuel gas. LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas – is commonly called Autogas when used as LPG fuel for an LPG car with internal combustion engine.

Autogas gas for cars is either propane or a propane and butane mix.

Autogas gas for cars can also be used as LPG fuel for fixed ICE installations, like generators.

Liquefied petroleum gas or liquid petroleum gas – LPG – also identified as propane or butane, are flammable hydrocarbon gas mixtures used as LPG fuel in vehicles (LPG car), as Autogas gas for cars, as well as for home heating and cooking fuel.

LPG Conversion – LPG gas conversion (LP gas conversion) for an LPG Car

There are four main types of LPG conversion – LPG gas conversion (LP gas conversion) systems for an LPG gas car (LPG car) including LPG Liquid Phase Direct Injection (LPDI), Liquid Phase Injection (LPI), Vapour Phase Injection (VPI), and Converter-and-Mixer Systems.

The newest LPG conversion (LP gas conversion) system for an LPG gas auto (LPG car) – LPDI – is also the most advanced whilst the oldest converter-mixer LPG gas systems are, by far, the least sophisticated LPG conversion – LPG gas conversion (LP gas conversion).

LPG Conversion Systems for an LPG Car in Summary

Here are the four LPG conversion (LPG gas conversion) systems for an LPG gas car (LPG car) from newest to oldest…

1. LPG Liquid Phase Direct Injection (LPDI) has liquid LPG injected directly into the combustion chamber. LPDI is the most advanced LPG gas auto system.
2. LPG Liquid Phase Injection (LPI) LPG conversion (LP gas conversion) systems inject liquid directly into the intake manifold.
3. LPG Vapour Phase Injection (VPI) LPG gas conversion (LPG conversion) the gas exits the converter under pressure and is injected into the intake manifold.
4. LPG Converter-and-Mixer Systems is the oldest style LPG gas auto system – LPG conversion (LP gas conversion). Liquid fuel converts into vapour and is then mixed with air before going into the intake manifold.

LPG Car – How an LPG Gas Auto Works

As previously mentioned, Autogas is another name for LPG fuel when used as fuel in internal combustion engines.

Autogas gas for cars is typically an LPG fuel mixture of propane and/or butane, which can also be sued for fixed applications, like generators.

An LPG car (LPG auto) uses Autogas gas for cars instead of petrol (gasoline) or diesel.

An LPG gas auto can be an LPG gas car (LPG car) straight from the factory, or they can be LPG conversion (LPG gas conversion).

LPG can fuel various LPG vehicles, including light commercial LPG vehicles, as well as LPG gas car (LPG car).

In different countries, the Autogas gas for cars supplied can be propane, butane or propane-butane blends.

What Does LPG Conversion Do to an Engine

Regarding LPG conversion (LP gas conversion) and Autogas vs petrol engine life, is Autogas gas for cars good for an LPG gas auto (LPG car) and does Autogas damage engines:

• Autogas gas for cars prevents pre-ignition (knocking) in an engine, as it is over 100 octane
• Manufacturers offer dual-fuel models with the same warranties
• An LPG gas car (LPG car) changes the fuel storage and intake systems of the engine. These are the only major differences
• LPG conversion (LP gas conversion), to engines, does not affect factory warranties
• Autogas gas for cars doesn’t damage engine parts
• Autogas vs petrol is cleaner burning than petrol or diesel in an engine
• Autogas gas for cars may actually prolong engine life

What is an LPG Conversion for an LPG Gas Auto?

An LPG conversion (LP gas conversion) is taking a normal petrol powered vehicle and adding a secondary LPG gas auto fuel system.

Almost all vehicles fueled by petrol are convertible to LPG vehicle (LPG car) operation at a reasonable cost.

These dual-fuel LPG gas auto systems allow an LPG gas car (LPG gas auto) to operate on either Autogas LPG fuel or petrol.

The petrol tank still remains in the LPG gas auto (LPG auto).

The driver can switch from Autogas gas for cars to petrol or vice-versa.

The driver is typically provided with a switch and can select which fuel they choose to use.

Having two fuel tanks can double an LPG gas car (LPG gas auto) range.

With both the petrol and Autogas tanks filled, a dual fuel LPG gas auto (LPG car) cruising ranges of 1000km or more are not unusual.

Advantages of Autogas – What Does LPG Do to an LPG Gas Car Engine – How Does LPG Work

What Autogas gas for cars does to an engine is beneficial and how does an LPG gas auto (LPG car) work.

Autogas LPG fuel engines have lower running costs.

Autogas gas for cars is typically less expensive than petrol or diesel.

Engine oil and spark plugs need changing less often with an LPG gas auto (LPG car), for reduced service costs.

Environmental benefits of Autogas LPG fuel vehicles (LPG car) include reduced particulate, CO2 and NOx emissions.

Octane ratings over 100 allows for higher compression ratios, which can increase power output.

LPG to Gas – Use of LPG Liquid or Gas – Vaporisation in an LPG Car

LPG to gas is the process of liquid liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) turning into gas, which is also known as vaporization.

Most LPG conversion systems use the gaseous LPG, after the LPG turns to gas.

The vaporisation happens in the intake manifold or just prior to it.

However, LPG Liquid Phase Direct Injection (LPDI) has liquid LPG injected directly into the combustion chamber.

So the LPG turns to gas only after it is injected into the combustion chamber.

Different LPG Gas Auto Fuel Tanks

Did you know that many new petrol cars come with plastic or composite fuel tanks?

Autogas LPG fuel tanks for LPG car (LPG gas auto) are typically made from welded heavy gauge steel.

The image shown is a toroidal LPG fuel tank in the spare tyre well.

The steel is generally 3mm to 6mm thick, depending on the LPG fuel tank design.

An Autogas LPG fuel tank design withstands many times its maximum operating pressure.

They are much more puncture resistant and will survive much greater impacts than a typical petrol or diesel tank.

The Autogas LPG fuel tank mounting systems are also designed to ensure that the Autogas LPG fuel tank will not become dislodged, even in a 20 G impact.

Modern Autogas LPG fuel tanks are compact space saving designs.

The new toroidal Autogas LPG fuel tanks are donut shaped and fitted within the spare wheel well.

The spare is replaced by a small emergency inflation kit.

Four Types of Autogas Conversion Systems for an LPG gas Auto Explained

There are four types of Autogas LPG fuel intake systems.

Let’s have a look at them from oldest to newest technology:

1. Autogas LPG fuel Converter-and-Mixer Systems

Converter-and-mixer systems are the oldest style, dating back decades and still widely used.

The liquid LPG fuel converts into vapour and is then mixed with air before going into the intake manifold.

2. Autogas LPG fuel Vapour Phase Injection (VPI)

Vapour phase injection (VPI) systems use a converter-and-mixer system.

The Autogas gas for cars exits the converter under pressure and is injected into the intake manifold.

Electrically controlled injectors improve the metering of Autogas gas for cars to the engine, fuel economy and power, and reduce emissions.

This has been the most popular type of LPG vehicle system in recent years.

3. Autogas LPG fuel Liquid Phase Injection (LPI)

Liquid phase injection (LPI) systems inject liquid directly into the intake manifold.

That is where Autogas gas for cars vaporises, not using a converter.

The system works by pumping Autogas gas for cars at high pressure from the LPG gas auto tank to the engine inlet manifold via a set of liquid LPG injectors.

The injectors spray the liquid LPG into the intake manifold.

The Autogas gas for cars vaporising in the intake manifold cools and increases the density of the intake air.

This substantially increases power output, improves fuel economy and has lower emission, when compared to VPI systems.

4. Autogas LPG fuel Liquid Phase Direct Injection (LPDI)

Liquid phase direct injection (LPDI) are the most advanced systems.

Liquid LPG is injected directly into the combustion chamber.

The Autogas gas for cars instantly vaporises, cooling the combustion chamber fuel-air mixture during the compression stroke.

This provides further performance and emission improvements.

This cooling effect increases the density of the air-fuel mixture.

So, power and torque are maintained with fewer CO₂ emissions.

The effect is like intercooling on turbocharged cars.

An Electronic Control Unit (ECU) controls the various components of the liquid injection system, including the injectors.

Autogas LPG fuel injection signal optimises the flow and LPG injection timing.

The ECU is calibrated to the specific vehicle and engine.