Natural gas occupies a relevant space in the Brazilian energy matrix, with applications ranging from transportation to industrial use. However, the acronyms CNG, CGN and LNG represent different modalities, each with its own infrastructure, costs and limitations.
This checklist brings together three essential points to understand where each one makes sense in Brazil today, avoiding generalizations and common confusion.
1) CNG in light-duty transport: widespread use, but dependent on urban networks
Compressed Natural Gas for Vehicles (CNG) is the most familiar form of natural gas in the daily life of Brazilian consumers, especially in large urban centers.
Most common uses of CNG in Brazil
- Light-duty vehicles, such as taxis, ride-hailing cars and urban fleets. - Regions with good availability of fueling stations and piped distribution networks. - Operations with high daily mileage, where consumption predictability is important.
Practical limitations of CNG
- Dependence on local infrastructure: outside major centers, availability is limited. - Reduction of trunk space due to the cylinder. - Less flexibility for long-distance trips when compared to liquid fuels.
2) CGN: compressed logistics for specific uses
Compressed Natural Gas (CGN) is used mainly outside the light-duty vehicle environment, despite its conceptual similarity to CNG.
Where CGN is used
- Fueling captive fleets, such as buses or industrial vehicles. - Supplying industrial consumers without access to gas pipeline networks. - Operations in which supply occurs via trailers or cylinder modules.
Main limitations of CGN
- Lower energy density compared to LNG, requiring more logistical trips. - Operating costs sensitive to the distance between the source and the consumer. - Application restricted to well-planned volumes and routes.
3) LNG: high energy density, still concentrated infrastructure
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is gas cooled to very low temperatures, which drastically reduces its volume and expands logistical possibilities.
Current uses of LNG in Brazil
- Larger-scale industries outside the gas pipeline grid. - Heavy long-distance transport, in pilot projects or dedicated fleets. - Support for energy supply in remote regions or isolated systems.
Limitations of LNG in the Brazilian context
- Infrastructure still concentrated in a few hubs. - Need for high investments in cryogenic tanks and operational safety. - More complex logistics chain, from the liquefaction plant to the final consumer.
Quick checklist: how to differentiate CNG, CGN and LNG
- **CNG**: urban focus, light-duty vehicles, depends on local networks. - **CGN**: compressed gas for fleets and industries without pipelines. - **LNG**: liquefied gas, larger scale, sophisticated logistics.
Understanding these differences helps evaluate expectations and limitations of natural gas in Brazil, keeping the debate aligned with the reality of infrastructure and the national energy matrix.
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