Taxis and "LPG-smell"

[Eric Punzalan]

I was giving a lecture on alternative fuels when a student commented that he doesn't ride in an LPG-ran taxi because of the smell.
He claims it's not just one taxi but to him, at least, it's most of them .

Do they (taxis on LPG ) generally smell?  leak managment problem?

Comments?


Eric:)
I don't think my car smells



--
Eric R. Punzalan PhD
Environmental and Organic Chemistry
DLSU-Manila

PADI Divemaster/ Emergency First Response Instructor #491061


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[Tony Moran]

Hi Eric,

 

Let me try to explain what is sometimes experienced.

 

The cars with properly installed autoLPG kits should not have any smell. There are many world class installers (Tartorini, Naiadss, Ultragas, Greengas, Hana, Landirenzo for Macro, others). They will all insist on pre-inspecting the car.

 

It may be necessary to fine tune the car to ensure it is running well before a conversion is made. After the conversion are made, regular maintenance is needed, just like any other car.

 

As one may guess, many taxi drivers and some operators short cut on maintenance to save money. This had been the case even before the autoLPG was available. This is why some taxis had a strong smell of gasoline or even stall sometimes.

 

While the current conversion kits are world class and 100% safe by Euro standards, no one can ensure that the drivers and operators will maintain their taxis.

 

A couple of bad experiences may create a bad impression. Compounded by fear of change and lack of understanding, a general phobia is created.

 

The bright side is that the LTO will require that all autoLPG cars be checked by accredited converters before registration. (I'm not sure how they will implement this). The other side is that leaking LPG is safer for health and against accidents than leaking gasoline.

 

For your information, Shell had a Philippine Autogas summit early this year and the Autogas Association of the Philippines started meeting this month. One of the goals is education of the private sector. Another goal is cleaning up M Manila by converting the jeepneys and buses.

 

Hope this answers some of your groups' concerns.

 

Kin regards,

Tony

 

[Eric Punzalan]

Taxis and maintenance?  I agree with you completely hehe....

What I actually did was I gave the student a ride on my LPG-powered car and showed him how a properly converted car runs.....sabi nya, "wala nga amoy ah !"

Science Bits: "The burning of garbage transforms solid waste into more harmful gaseous wastes."

The open burning of solid waste carries the penalty of "Payment in the amounts not less than Three Hundred Pesos (P300) but not more than One Thousand Pesos OR Imprisonment of not less than one day to not more than fifteen days or both. (Part V, Section 3 of Philippine   R.A. 9003 )

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