Safety considerations around natural gas engines and vehicles

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When switching to natural gas engines, there are many different aspects to consider. Safety is an absolute priority for engine and vehicle manufacturers, distribution and transportation companies, and end-users. 

Natural gas engines are a safe technology

Natural gas engines and diesel engines have relatively similar architectures. The decades of knowledge Cummins Inc has accumulated designing internal combustion engines helps engineer safe, reliable natural gas engines. Thus, many common safety considerations are well-known and have well-documented solutions, such as the avoidance of pre-ignition events in the cylinder.

In some respects, natural gas is safer than liquid fuels. If a leak occurs inside the engine compartment, natural gas tends to dissipate at a faster rate while liquid fuels may coat engine parts or form puddles. Leaked diesel or gasoline can lead to fires, whereas natural gas is either already gone or present in concentrations so low it’s not conductive to ignition. In addition to natural gas, there are other alternative comparable fuels that have grown in popularity.

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Natural Gas Vehicles keep drivers safe

Compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles store their fuel in sturdy gas cylinders under high pressures. High storage pressures enable storage of more fuel in the same cylinder, extending the range of the vehicle. These cylinders are critical for the safety of the vehicle and are subject to stringent design standards and safety margins. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders are typically rated to store gas at up to 3,600 psi. They are also required to feature pressure relief valves, which release some gas to reduce pressure when abnormal conditions occur. Other critical safety components include a pressure regulator and a shut off valve. A pressure regulator monitors the pressure of the natural gas reaching the engine. The main shut off valve allows isolation of the fuel system from the engine. These components are thoroughly verified and tested to ensure the safety of the vehicles incorporating them. Cummins has formed a new joint venture called Cummins Clean Fuel Technologies to provide natural gas storage tanks.

Natural gas is lighter than air and can dissipate into the atmosphere. To avoid severe damage in the tanks, most fuel delivery systems are designed robustly in case vehicle accidents take place. CNG tanks must pass acid exposure and drop tests in horizontal, vertical and 45-degree angles. They also must pass a penetration test that requires them to be shot with a rifle without resulting tank ruptures. Finally, all CNG cylinders must be tested and certified to a continuous operating temperature range of -40⁰F to 185⁰F.

It is important for natural gas fuel systems to be leak-free. Periodic inspections and maintenance are essential to avoid leakage. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) determines tanks’ maintenance intervals. If the number is greater than 10,000 lbs., inspection takes place at least every 12 months. Then, if GVWR is lesser or equal to 10,000 lbs., the inspection interval is three years (36 months) or every 36,000 miles. CNG cylinders have a limited useful life of 15 to 20 years and do not requalify for use beyond their useful life. 

These are some of the many best practices listed in safety standards such as the National Fire Protection Association 52 standard. Tank manufacturers also provide instructions to prevent cylinder damage. Some of these instructions include not dragging or walking on the cylinders and protecting the valves, fittings, and piping when transporting them.

Top 5 Safety Design Elements for CNG Maintenance Facilities

CNG is mostly methane (CH4) with slight amounts of other hydrocarbons. Its lighter than air, so in the event of a release, it will rise to the ceiling of the maintenance facility and quickly dissipate rather than pooling at or near floor level like liquid fuel vapors. If concentrations of 5% - 15% by volume of natural gas encounter an ignition source, the gas may ignite, with potentially serious results. However, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, due to natural gas’s ability to rapidly dissipate, this concentration is rarely seen in practice. That said, to prevent potential safety hazards, facilities that service natural gas vehicles require specific safety measures.

  • Ventilation must provide sufficient air flow to reduce the concentration of any released gas and at the same time evacuate gas from the structure.
  • Paths of migration must be controlled to prevent any released gas from entering unprotected areas of the structure.
  • Space heating must be designed in accordance with guidelines so that open flames or hot surfaces don’t provide an ignition source.
  • Electrical wiring and equipment must be installed in such a way that they don’t provide ignition due to sparking. The equipment itself can be designed to be “explosion proof.”
  • Methane detection and control systems and alarms must provide defense against dangerous concentrations of natural gas by alerting personnel in the building and disabling potential electrical ignition sources.  

Local Clean Cities coordinators are an excellent resource for fleets and facility maintenance managers with questions about safety measures, or who need help accessing their facilities. Visit cleancities.energy.gov to find a local Clean Cities coordinator.

Ultimately, using natural gas in the transport industry can be a safe fuel. This is an addition to the many advantages of using natural gas engines. Therefore, natural gas vehicles are clean, safe and reliable thanks to the use of best practices and the incorporation of smart safety features.

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Puneet Singh Jhawar

Puneet Singh Jhawar

Puneet Singh Jhawar is the General Manager of the global natural gas business for Cummins Inc. In this role, he is responsible for the product vision, financial management and overall performance of the natural gas business. Over his 14-year career at Cummins, Jhawar has cultivated successful relationships with a number of Cummins’ largest customers. Jhawar has extensive global experience, with roles based in the Middle East, India, Europe and the US.

Why you should become a Cummins Home and Small Business dealer

Cummins dealer smiling next to home generator

For more than 100 years, Cummins Inc. has been dedicated to making people’s lives better by powering a more prosperous world. As a company, we seek to be customer-driven, innovative, responsible, and trustworthy so that we can truly make a difference now and in the future.

But exactly what does Cummins do? At a high level, we create power solutions. You’ll find Cummins products and solutions for on- and off-highway engines, turbochargers, electronics, fuel systems, generators and power systems, and more. We’re not in this on our own, though. With a broad network of Cummins-authorized dealers in the home and small business power solution space, we count on our independent dealers and their local relationships. If you’re interested in becoming a Cummins-authorized dealer, keep reading to find out the benefits and how to get started.

Does Cummins make Home Generators and Small Business generators?

Yes, Cummins offers generators that are sufficient for residential homes and small businesses, including:

  • 13-20 kW air cooled emergency standby generators
  • 25-150 kW liquid cooled emergency standby generators
  • 9,500-watt portable, dual fuel heavy duty generators
  • 2,500-4,500-watt portable, lightweight inverter generators
  • 300-1,000-watt portable lithium battery powered power stations

In the midst of severe weather, increased blackouts, and aging power grids, generators are becoming more and more important. Consider this: 83% of power outages were the result of weather-related incidents from 2000 to 2021.

When these outages occur during extreme temperatures, generators are critical to keeping homes and businesses comfortable, safe, and operational. Families won’t have to worry about losing their heat or everything inside their refrigerators. Businesses won’t have to worry about the potential financial impact that comes with an outage—which can be as much as $12,500 a day for a small business. 

All of these reasons are likely why search terms like “Cummins generator dealers near me” are so popular on Google and other search engines. Local people are consistently looking for the right generator solution. Cummins-authorized dealers can help ensure they have the power they need, no matter what.

What are the benefits of being a Cummins Generator Dealer for Home and Small Business?

Of course, if you’re thinking about becoming a Cummins-authorized dealer, the fact that there’s a market isn’t the only perk. Here are eight more reasons why you should become a Cummins-authorized Home and Small Business generator dealer.

  1. You’ll be backed by the Cummins brand, a name that’s synonymous with support, reliability, and sustainability. Cummins generators are quality, trustworthy equipment that you and your customers can count on.
  2. You will receive state-of-the-start training. Cummins provides courses and the certification path required to become a Cummins-authorized partner and product expert. Our technical training and certifications provide knowledge on Cummins home generator service like installation, maintenance, and repair.
  3. You can connect to a robust network of Cummins resources. Our dealers have access to a world-class set of tools, including training, a dedicated account executive, an online portal, sales and training certifications, and so much more.
  4. You’ll receive “preferred parts” pricing. By becoming an authorized dealer, you’ll get the best parts pricing around so you can maximize your profits. You can also pass these savings on to your customers to ensure your pricing is competitive.
  5. You can capitalize on marketing support. Cummins regularly invests in brand-building and lead generating campaigns to drive customers to our dealers. 
  6. You have access to warranty claim submission. Warranties don’t have to be a hassle for you or your customers. As an authorized-service dealer, you can submit warranty claims on behalf of your customer to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. 
  7. You can join the ChannelOne Partner Rewards Program. This competitive rewards program helps you maximize your earning power.
  8. You can list your company on the Cummins Parts & Service Locator. The Cummins service locator makes it easy for local customers to connect with your business, and it increases your overall brand visibility.

How to become a Cummins Dealer: It’s easier than you think

Stop missing out on all of the local online traffic searching for “Cummins authorized dealer near me,” and bring great products to your community! It takes just four simple steps to get started.

  1. Complete the online “Become a Dealer” interest form. A regional Cummins Account Executive will contact you to start the discussion.
  2. Share additional information about your business, your experience, and why you’re interested in becoming a Cummins dealer.
  3. Fill out and return the necessary paperwork to be processed by the Cummins team.
  4. Complete your required product training and become a Cummins Home and Small Business Dealer.

At Cummins, our company is dedicated to providing great products and services to customers throughout the world. If you’re ready to join our world-class network, get started now.

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

How do I calculate what size generator I need?

Customers talking to Cummins dealer

There are several great reasons why you might be considering a standby generator for your home or small business. In the event of a power outage (caused by severe weather, for example), having a standby generator helps ensure ongoing safety and comfort. And in the case of a business, the ability to reduce downtime and maintain operations is a significant advantage.

Standby generators—also known as permanent or whole-house generators—offer reliable and efficient backup power solutions for a wide range of applications. If you’re currently exploring your options, we imagine you have a few concerns. You’re probably looking for a generator that’s sold and serviced by a reputable company, and want to determine the right generator capacity for your needs.

In this article, we’re going to help you answer a key question: “What size generator do I need to run my house or small business in the event of a power outage?” Keep reading for an overview of how to find the perfect Cummins Inc. standby generator for your needs.

What is the rule for generator sizing?

When it comes to understanding generator sizing, one important rule to keep in mind is that the generator needs to be able to power everything requiring electricity, but it also needs to have additional capacity to account for various appliances’ starting wattage. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a situation where your generator simply won’t cut it, potentially leaving your home or small business without the power it needs.

Next, we’ll cover a basic framework for calculating your power needs.

How to Calculate Standby Generator Size

Here’s a simple, three-step process for assessing your needs and priorities, understanding generator sizes, and finding what size generator is going to work best. 

Let’s take a look at what this process looks like.

Step 1: Understanding Generator Sizes

Here’s a basic formula for how to calculate standby generator size:

  1. First, create a list of everything in your home or small business that would need to be powered by the generator in case of an emergency. This should include anything that requires electricity and isn’t something you would want to go without should you lose power. It’s important to not only consider running wattage, but starting wattage as well—since most appliances will require a few seconds’ worth of extra wattage to get started. There are several online sources for determining appliances’ wattage requirements.
  2. Add together each item’s running watts. When in doubt, err on the side of overestimating wattage requirements since it’s much better to have a little more power available than is needed as opposed to having to adapt to a generator that lacks sufficient power.
  3. Then, to roughly account for starting wattage, add the single-highest starting watts figure to the total.
  4. To ensure a margin of safety—and to account for potential future needs—you should multiply that figure by at least 1.25. The resulting number is the minimum generator capacity you should consider.

You can also use our home generator sizing calculator to estimate your power needs.

Step 2: Assessing Your Needs

It’s important to understand your priorities. While getting the right size and type of generator that fits your budget are important, it’s also important to consider how you intend to use the generator.

  • Will it need to be capable of maintaining enough power for your home or small business in case of an emergency?
  • Do you envision having a permanently-installed generator, or is portability important?

How you answer these questions should help provide context for the next step: exploring generator sizing and zeroing in on the perfect product for your needs.

Step 3: Finding the Right Generator

In addition to the generator size calculator, our online buyer’s guide to home generators is a great starting point for exploring your options. Cummins offers three main types of standby generators suited for a home or small business:

  • Permanently-installed 13-20 kW air-cooled home standby generators that can be powered up when needed. 
  • Permanently-installed 25-150 kW liquid-cooled home standby generators that can be powered up when needed. 
  • Heavy-duty, gasoline- or propane-powered 9,500-watt dual fuel portable generators that can provide backup power for a home or small business. 

Cummins: Reliable and Affordable Standby Power Solutions

At Cummins, we build versatile, high-quality standby generators for homes and small businesses. Don’t let their quietness fool you—they’re powerful and reliable. 

When you’re ready to explore your options, you can reach out to request an on-site assessment. One of our authorized dealers will help you assess your needs, evaluate different generator types and capacities, and understand how much a generator might cost to have installed.

Cummins Office Building

Cummins Inc.

Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from internal combustion, electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components including filtration, aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, electric power generation systems, microgrid controls, batteries, electrolyzers and fuel cell products.

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