The Future of the Compressed Gas Transportation Industry
The future of the compressed gas industry looks bright, as technological advances, environmental concerns, and cost savings continue to be major drivers for growth. The industry is expected to see continued growth as more companies look to capitalize on the benefits of producing and transporting compressed gases.
One of the most significant drivers of growth in the industry is technology. Advances in materials science, engineering, and computer modeling have enabled companies to design and build more efficient, safer, and cost-effective pressure vessels for compressed gas.
This has allowed increased capacity for the transportation and storage of gases which equates to more efficient delivery systems for customers. Historically, the maximum volume of high-pressure gas transported over the road was approximately 150,000 cubic feet. With the advent of the composite pressure vessels, which are lighter in weight than conventional steel pressure vessels and operate at higher pressures, it is now possible to transport approximately 400,000 cubic feet of gas over the road without violating the Department of Transportation U.S. highway weight limitation of 80,000 pounds. The result is transportation of almost 3 times the amount of gas as in the past, but at one third the vehicle fuel consumption as before.
Companies are also using advanced sensors and automated control systems to monitor the pressure, temperature, and other conditions during transport for increased safety.
Environmental concerns are also playing a role in driving growth in the compressed gas industry. Compressed natural gas is now being used as a fuel source in the oil and gas field. Teamed with diesel to power generators and engines at the rig sights drastically reduces the carbon footprint allowing for cleaner emissions and payback comes in the form of carbon credits to the drilling and oil companies.
Hydrogen is beginning to make a larger impact in the alternative fuels market. Clean burning hydrogen results in zero emissions when used for vehicle fuel. Refilling times are equivalent to gasoline refueling times with the approximate equivalent fuel mileage as gasoline. Electric vehicles are still fighting the charging “refueling” time required for a complete charge which could be up to an hour. Also, the disposal of these type batteries could be a tremendous burden to the environment over time.
Overall, it’s clear that the future of the compressed gas industry looks bright as technology continues to advance and environmental concerns remain at the forefront of many conversations related to energy production and use.
As companies continue to find creative ways to capitalize on these trends while keeping costs low for customers, we can expect continued growth over the next decade and beyond.