A Team Effort in Compressed Natural Gas Fleet Conversion

Hocking Technical College struck natural gas at an oil well head on its campus in winter of 1982. Seeing the possibilities for fleet fueling and training of automotive students, the college negotiated an agreement with JOY Incorporated of New Lexington, Ohio, by which the college would provide training for JOY personnel and other interested individuals while JOY would demonstrate conversion of conventionally fueled vehicles to CNG. This paper discusses the process of and problems with vehicle conversion as it is taking place on the college campus. Students are being trained in every aspect of CNG conversion, maintenance and trouble-shooting, as well as compressor training and purification of the gas itself. Training programs are available in fill station and maintenance.