🚔14: Be careful about compressed natural gas!
An Audi Explodes at a CNG Refueling Station
We all want to save on costs, but sometimes, it poses grave danger.
Automotive modifications are great, but they should be handled with a lot of care! It could easily go wrong if it's not done correctly.
Case in point - an Audi, illegally converted to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), exploded during refueling at a petrol station on Benin-Auchi road, Edo State, Nigeria, this past month.
Automotive modifications are great, but they should be handled with a lot of care! It could easily go wrong if it's not done correctly.
Case in point - an Audi, illegally converted to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), exploded during refueling at a petrol station on Benin-Auchi road, Edo State, Nigeria, this past month.
- Casualties: Three individuals suffered severe injuries, including a passenger from another vehicle at the station, a pump attendant, and another station worker. These injuries ranged from eye damage to stomach injuries and the tragic amputation of a foot.
- Cause: Investigations pointed to substandard conversion kits and cylinders used in the Audi 80, which were not designed for CNG use. The cylinder was improperly welded, a stark violation of safety protocols for gas containment.
- Response: Local authorities quickly responded, admitting that the vehicle's CNG conversion did not meet safety standards. They also announced a Gas Vehicle Monitoring System, aimed at ensuring all conversions adhere to safety regulations.
To sum it up, CNG conversions can be very hazardous, as you're dealing with a highly flammable gas. Like all hydrocarbons, it can ignite and burn when mixed with air in the right proportions and exposed to an ignition source.
The conversions need to be executed with precision and strict adherence to safety standards.
Auto Shop Explosion Tragedy
While we're still on automotive safety, here's another unfortunate recent incident.
It occurred in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, where Hart's Auto Repair witnessed a devastating explosion on October 16, 2024.
What started as a routine task using a cutting torch on a 55-gallon drum turned into a catastrophic event, taking the life of the shop owner, Darren Hart, and injuring another employee.
It occurred in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, where Hart's Auto Repair witnessed a devastating explosion on October 16, 2024.
What started as a routine task using a cutting torch on a 55-gallon drum turned into a catastrophic event, taking the life of the shop owner, Darren Hart, and injuring another employee.
- What Went Wrong: The use of a cutting torch on what seemed like an innocuous drum led to a chemical reaction, causing the explosion. Seems there was a critical misjudgment about the contents of the drum or the safety measures required.
In conclusion, auto repair shops do need rigorous safety protocols, especially when dealing with materials that could potentially react dangerously.
Hybrid Powertrains: Toyota Prius 1997
Hybrid powertrains combine gasoline engines with electric motors to optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
It was pioneered by Toyota and is now widely adopted across the auto industry with various configurations like plug-in hybrids and advanced battery technologies.
In 1997, Toyota launched the Prius in Japan, marking the arrival of the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. This model featured a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor, allowing for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
The Prius utilized nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which consist of a nickel oxide positive electrode and a metal hydride negative electrode, providing greater energy density and longevity compared to previous battery technologies.
Read more to get the full gyst!
It was pioneered by Toyota and is now widely adopted across the auto industry with various configurations like plug-in hybrids and advanced battery technologies.
In 1997, Toyota launched the Prius in Japan, marking the arrival of the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. This model featured a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor, allowing for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
The Prius utilized nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which consist of a nickel oxide positive electrode and a metal hydride negative electrode, providing greater energy density and longevity compared to previous battery technologies.
Read more to get the full gyst!