CNG Leakage Detection and Sensor Diagnostic in Bus with CAN Interface

Abstract

<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Methane (CH4) is main constituent of compressed natural gas (CNG). CNG is compressed to less than 1% of the volume, which it occupies at atmospheric pressure. CNG contains almost 70% to 90% methane, one of the most significant greenhouse gas contributing directly into climate change. The effects caused due to gas leakages that results in fire and bursting of cylinder can be prevented by continuous monitoring of gas leakage in the Gas transmission pipeline of the commercial vehicles. In order to detect the methane leaks and resolve as early as possible, effective sensors need to be researched, analyzed and developed. This paper discusses about the usage of sensor with digital output replacing the previous gas leak detection sensor module, which gives analog output. The previously used Gas leakage detection module implements a design of a gas leakage detector system with, LED and audio indication that notifies the leakage in gas to the users. A sensor-based device easily detects a CNG leakage, with an analog sensor as its gas leakage detection sensor. However, the implementation of Digital sensor instead of analog sensor will be more advantageous in many aspects such as quick data rates, noise immunity, cost efficient and user friendly. So, the implementation of the proposed paper which uses a ZC41 (Digital sensor) will display the detected gas leakage in the instrument cluster of the vehicle, since it has a CAN interfaced output. The discussed material includes the implementation, working, design parameters and latest developments in these sensors. The paper is mainly focused on comparing different methods, advantages and disadvantages of previously used modules and proposed system.</div></div>