The Philippines has among the largest and fastest growing markets for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the Asia-Pacific region. The Philippines Government Energy Plan 1999-2008 shows that LPG use in the country has been rising steadily at approximately 37% per year for the past 12 years. The Philippines currently consumes close to one million metric tons of LPG per year on average; in 2003 LPG consumption in the country hit a record-high of 1.150 million metric tons. As LPG consumption expands, implementing regulations and standards to facilitate safety and security becomes more important. Today, however, the Philippines cannot claim an existing law or regulatory framework to safely operate the country’s LPG industry. Apart from random inspections conducted by Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Bureau of Products Standards (BPS), there are no legal mechanisms to curb the rampant sale and distribution of defective and substandard tanks......
source: http://www1.psagroup.com/psacms_kc_ph.nsf/Published.Pages.ByKey/NADN-7WR65E
Research and Analysis on the Hazard of LPG Tank Area
ZHANG Yu-ruo WANG Jing-yu(School of Chemical Industry and Environment,North University of China Taiyuan 030051) At present,the research objects of most hazard assessment are single hazard resource and process.But in daily industrial production,secondary and even several times of accidents Can be happened,resulted from the release of energy of the initial accident.With the change of large-size of industrial production and the increase of storage amount,the possibility of the happening of the domino accidents is also increasing.LPG tank area is just this kind area in which the accidents can be easily happened.The possibility of domino accidents happening because of the related hazard sources is evaluated by using the related models when fire happens in LPG tank area and especially analysis is conducted on safety distance.
source: http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-GYAF200611014.htm
SHELL Sells LPG Business to Filipino Japanese Consortium
..Anglo-Dutch energy giant Shell's Philippine unit said on Wednesday it would sell its local liquefied petroleum gas business to a Japanese-Filipino consortium for an undisclosed price.
"The sale of Shell's share in the Philippines LPG business is consistent with Shell's strategy to concentrate its global downstream footprint into fewer, larger markets," it said in a statement.
Shell Gas Philippines is to be sold to a consortium called Isla Petroleum and Gas Corp., it said, adding that Shell's other downstream businesses would not be affected by the deal.
Shell spokesmen declined to comment on reports that valued the transaction at $131 million nor identify Isla's Japanese partner, which the reports named as Itochu Petroleum Co.
The date of the sale was also not disclosed.
Shell Gas is a leading player in the importation and distribution of LPG in the Philippines, where it is widely used for cooking.
Isla Petroleum representatives in the Philippines could not be reached for comment.
..
source: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/shell-sells-philippine-lpg-business-152105691.html
PONDERING CORNER
Based on the above readings... when one must reflect deeply, the following questions comes to mind:
If Shell is doing a good business... then why is it selling its LPG business here?
If there is a clear and present danger of a domino effect, then why is it not openly a discussed issue?
Does SHELL see way far ahead than the rest with regards to the future of LPG?
It is a known fact that SHELL invests in alternative energy like the Hydrogen Hiway in Norway, Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology with its test bed; the Shell Formula Zero events... aside from its Social Responsibility Mission statement to name a few... then how come is it promoting LPG in the first place?... and why the sudden selling while it is at its peak?
Some theories... It probably sees a downfall of the LPG business very soon. And selling it while it's at its peak can make the price handsome... as it is easier to sell to the the trend followers.
This Dutch Company is considered to be about 50 years advance compared with the rest of the world (generally speaking) when it comes to business and technologies. Selling it to a Filipino - Japanese Consortium is a very wise move... but I would not call it very socially responsible.
Nothing is really what it seems.
Are older vehicles fitted with LPG as environmentally friendly?
Based on the results of the Federal Governments own test programs which indicate that tail pipe C02 emissions produced by older cars (pre 1993) fitted with LPG are still some 14% lower than their petrol powered counterparts.
source: http://www.apamfg.com.au/main_pages/health_&_envir.html
source: http://www.apamfg.com.au/main_pages/health_&_envir.html
Unless if these are GTO treated....
If you are considering converting your car into LPG... consider the following comparison chart.
If you are considering converting your car into LPG... consider the following comparison chart.
Yes we can save the world. ;-]
LPG for transport
By Nicolaj Stenkjaer, February 2010
Many Danish cars drove during the period 1960 - 1990 on LPG gas (Liquified Petroleum Gas) also known as the GPL, LP gas or auto gas.
LPG is a liquid that is a by product from the refinery processing oil. The reason for virtually no one is running on this fuel in Denmark today is that tax rules were changed in the 1980s. But there are still a few stations back offering LPG gas and in Norway there are approximately 25,000 cars that have LPG as a propellant. Benefits of LPG cars are that ordinary cars relatively easily are rebuilt to run on LPG gas and there are conversion kits for ordinary gasoline cars. LPG gas is not stored under high pressure, but only need an operating pressure of 10 bar which is very little compared the operating pressure of natural gas at 200 bar. The low pressure makes it easier to build tanks. |  | LPG vehicles have CO2 emissions levels like ordinary petrol cars and higher particulate emissions than natural gas, so there are no environmental benefit. Another problem is the explosion hazard, which is quite big. Denmark has earlier had many buses running on LPG gas, but they are also moving away. |
CNG, LPG-run vehicles pose health hazard: BMC
MUMBAI: Vehicles run by compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in the metropolis are emitting particulates smaller than 2.5 micron in diameter which pose a health hazard, a BMC report has said. However, due to the use of cleaner fuels like unleaded petrol and low sulphur diesel, levels of so2 and lead have come down in Mumbai, the report added.
The environment status report has been prepared by the BMC's air quality monitoring and research laboratory. The smaller particulates, considered a serious health hazard, are generated in large quantities by vehicles which run on gaseous fuels like LPG and CNG, the report said. "The particulates smaller than 2.5 microns are easy to breathe in and dangerous substances can enter the body. If they are left unregulated, they will be major health hazards. This could also lead to lung cancer.''
As per the data available till March 2008, in Mumbai, there are around 44,721 metered and 290 tourist taxis, 540 cars, 290 buses, 95,813 auto-rickshaws and 986 goods carriers that operate on CNG. There are around 256 auto-rickshaws, 1,753 metered and 306 tourist taxis, 4,182 cars, 22 buses and 3,545 goods carriers that operate on LPG.
Death of drivers hound LPG-taxi proponents
Recent deaths of taxi drivers in Iloilo City opened anew discussions and debate on the safety of taxi units converted for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)-use here.
In a two-hour public forum over Bombo Radyo's Zona Libre held Friday, LPG-taxi proponents both from the government and private sector faced off with concerns raised primarily by taxi drivers themselves.
A random interview was made by Bombo Radyo that heard similar sentiments of the drivers on health issues. From complaints of persistent dry cough to dryness of throats, the drivers' concerns were matched by complaints of dizziness and sudden headaches from select commuters reached by the radio station.
Dr. Florentino Alerta II was among the panelists with a lengthy discussion presented on the perils of LPG. Dr. Alerta likewise pushed for the importance of regular medical check-ups of taxi drivers as part of the company policy.
Iloilo City has some 600 to 700 taxi units now LPG-run. GDR taxis, one of the biggest taxi groups plying throughout Iloilo has its units "all 100%" converted. No actual figure was disclosed by the owner Donna Ratilla though saying she would rather leave it at its percentage than give the specific units.
Ratilla maintained the safety of LPG in all of its taxis while stressing that such was in compliance of the government's thrust for cleaner air.
As safety precautions, the proponents added, all LPG-taxis are prohibited to park in enclosed waiting areas. And installers are duly checked too, the group continued with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) ensuring the supposed road-worthiness of the LPG-converted taxi units.
The News Today (TNT) in a report gathered at least six deaths of taxi drivers in a 3 month-period. No direct link was made to the LPG taxi units of the drivers however prevailing sentiments of drivers themselves persist.
Director Porferio Clavel of the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it is about time that a public dialogue will be made on the subject. This, he said, should have the concerted effort of government agencies involved in the LPG-conversion project. Health issues must also be tackled, Director Clavel agreed if only to successfully push for the program and erase the misconceptions of the drivers and commuting public.
Photojournalist Rufino "Pinoy" Gonzales phoned-in from Texas, USA to share his own LPG-taxi episode. A non-smoker, Gonzales said he suffered from sudden nausea and dizziness in two occasions that he took a taxi later discovered to be LPG-run.
by: Florence F. Hibionada
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