With the steep increase in world oil prices, the coming days are sure to see a hike in petrol prices. Now consumers are seriously considering alternate sources of fuel. Which is the best alternate fuel over petrol? Many experimental trials are underway in various parts of the world, but Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG - a mixture of butane and propane) is the answer.

LPG is being used to run vehicles in over fifty countries all over the world. But in India, it is still viewed with apprehension because of misconceptions. The viability for safer usage is the prime reason besides many others. Let us understand that vehicles running on LPG are equally safe as compared to those vehicles running on petrol. The danger of LPG leakage has to be taken care of in the proper installation of the kit. Investigations reveal that accidents happen in LPG run vehicles due to petrol leakage or a short circuit.

LPG has got a safety record in storage, transportation and use. It is inferred that LPG is safer as compared to petrol when the gas is stored in liquefied form, which is the usual practice in India. The cylinders that store the LPG are fabricated from thick gauge steel, are subjected to stringent tests and x-rayed for leakages. The cylinders won't explode unless they are subjected to very high temperatures.

Earlier in 1998 when the LPG rates were low at Rs 16 per kilogram, many workshops and small players jumped into the business of conversion kits, which led to unhealthy competition. This resulted in the use of substandard components in installation and obviously kits of poor quality resulted in more accidents.

What are the main components of an ideal kit?

A kit has a vaporiser, gas and petrol control solenoids and other accessories. The vaporiser has a first stage pressure regulator, vacuum control valve, demand diaphragm along with idling and power adjustment screws. Hot water is circulated to prevent freezing of gas due to evaporation of LPG in the vaporiser. Pressure regulator converts LPG from high pressure to lower working pressure. The vacuum control valve releases the gas while only the engine is running. The diaphragm regulates the gas flow as per requirement

What is the advantage of LPG over other fuels?

Since the cost of LPG is lesser than petrol, the conversion kit will be economical for running vehicles. The other advantages of using the 'Fuel of Economy' are:

• Reduced air pollution. The exhaust has lower carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and no lead, sulphur and nitrogen oxides.
• The system does not call for delicate parts like fine ports and other carburettor components.
• Spark plugs will always be clean, which results in their longer life.
• The engine life is enhanced as a result of the absence of acids and carbon deposits.
• The engine performance will be the same as that of the petrol run vehicles with no fuel spillage or pilferages.
• Engine noise will be lesser and the environmental friendliness is indisputable.

Many Indian and imported brands of conversion kits are now available in the market. Some kits, which are popular, are imitations of Italian ones. There are dealers for genuine Italian kits approved by the government agencies and LPG enthusiasts have to identify them carefully before taking their services.

Role of government

Recently the parliament has passed a bill allowing the use of LPG in automobiles. The Government of Karnataka announced that LPG dispensing bunks will be set up and the gas will be sold at lower rates. At the same time, if the government were to set up standards for the type of kits used and the workshops that undertake the installation of conversion kits, LPG conversion kits could be incorporated without any apprehensions. These initiatives will result in more automobiles running on LPG, economise the cost of running the vehicle and reduce pollution to a great extent.