The video above shows a bus that caught on fire in the Netherlands. The driver and passengers attempted to put it out, but it spread too quickly and they all evacuated safely. The bus was powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) stored in multiple cylinders on the roof. As the bus burned, the pressure in the CNG cylinders increased until the pressure relief valves opened, venting the tanks. As you can see, the venting gas burned very impressively, shooting flames horizontally.
http://wildfiretoday.com/2012/11/27/bus-powered-by-compressed-natural-gas-burns/ #comments
I'm in favor of CNG for big vehicles, but we have to keep in mind there are trade-offs...
Gasoline is pretty tame by comparison. Not to mention diesel.
That's not good for trees.
I was getting a car tag a few years ago and was standing in line next to guy that was doing CNG change overs on cars for people. He was installing those tanks in the cargo area of SUVs. I ask if that was safe and he said no problem. I then ask why you are not suppose to place a propane grill tank in the car when you pick one up. No answer. Looks like there is the answer. Dan
I cant watch the video due to dial up but in the theator of my mind I can just see the sight.
No it would not be good for the trees or air.
I reckon the idiots putting propane and cng gas tanks in suv's aint never seen a actylene tank explosion in 1.
Apparently it happened on October 29th. I read a Dutch newspaper on line almost every morning, but don't remember seeing it. Wassenaar is a very upscale suburb of The Hague.
http://www.wassenaarders.nl/algemeen/veolia-bus-in-vlammen-op
From the description, the bus caught fire inside, heated the tanks, causing them to vent from overpressure, and flames shot out maybe 100 feet to the side, for several minutes.
I bet they require vents to be on top from now on.
rdr
Natural Gas is lighter than air and wants to go up while LP or propane is heavier and will puddle in low spots, thats why the tanks should not be put in a closed up space.Years ago we were on a service call on a propane furnace that had been underwater this was in the 60s when there were not so many safety devices, this furnace had a standing pilot and continued to vent gas into the basement, we were scooping it up in buckets and taking it outside where we poured it out it looked strange with three grown men dumping empty buckets.
Rick
Ralph,
"De brand is vermoedelijk ontstaan in het motorcompartiment achterin de bus. Het vuur breidde zich vervolgens snel uit door de bus.
Na het ontdekken van de brand heeft de chauffeur de passagiers in veiligheid gebracht. Een bluspoging had geen resultaat. Daarna heeft de chauffeur de bus naar een veilige plek gereden."
"The fire is suspected to have occurred in the engine compartment at the back of the bus. The fire then spread quickly through the bus. After discovering the fire, the driver took the passengers to safety. An attempt to extinguish the fire had no result. After that, the driver drove the bus to a safe spot."
Flaming Jehosaphat! That driver had huevos.
Well,that driver should be rewarded for thinking as he did.