© Serhii Kovalov, Ph.D., Senior Researcher,
ORCID: 0000-0002-3107-530X,
e-mail: skovalev@insat.org.ua;
© Sergii Tymoshenko, Нead of the sector of
testing gas cylinder cars, their components, and expertise department of technical support for the implementation of international agreements in the field of transport,
ОRCID: 0009-0003-3781-4120,
e-mail: stimoshenko@insat.org.ua;
© Kostyantyn Patlatyuk, leading engineer, ОRCID: 0000-0002-035D-439X, e-mail: kpatlatyuk@insat.org.ua;
(SE “State Road Transport Research Institute”)
RECONSTRUCTION OF BUSES TO WORK ON
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS
DOI: 10.33868/0365-8392-2024-4-281-65-69
Abstract. The modern development of the transport industry requires urgent measures aimed at reducing harmful emis-sions and increasing the economic efficiency of vehicles. Special attention should be given to bus transport, which serves as the primary means of passenger transportation in urban and suburban areas. The high consumption of diesel fuel leads to significant emissions of harmful substances, which negatively impact the environment and public health. In this regard, the transition to more environmentally friendly fuel types is a pressing challenge for the transport sector.
Given that modern buses are equipped exclusively with diesel engines as autonomous power units, which are character-ized by high fuel consumption (over 20 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km in urban cycles), it is evident that replacing them with a more cost-effective gaseous motor fuel, particularly liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is a viable solution. This tran-sition would not only help reduce environmental pollution but also significantly lower fuel-related operational costs.
Thus, converting urban and suburban buses to spark-ignition gas engines is a promising direction for Ukraine, offering both environmental and economic benefits. The implementation of this technology will improve the quality of urban transportation, reduce operational expenses, and enhance the ecological situation in different regions.
The objective of this study is to explore the technical feasibility of placing an adequate number of automotive gas cylin-ders for LPG in the lower section of the bus frame (including the area previously occupied by the removed diesel fuel tank) to ensure a daily driving range equivalent to that of diesel-powered buses.
Additionally, the study provides an economic justification for the cost-effectiveness of converting diesel engines in small urban and suburban buses to spark-ignition gas internal combustion engines operating on LPG and their practical appli-cation in Ukraine.
Keywords: small urban and suburban buses, gas internal combustion engine, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), automotive gas cylinde.
References
1. Buses. (2025). PJSC “Cherkasy Bus”: website. Retrived from https://bus.ck.ua/avtobus-ru.html
2. Regulation No. 67. (2024).
Uniform provisions concerning the approval of:
I. Approval of specific equipment of vehicles of category M and N using liquefied petroleum gases in their propulsion system
II. Approval of vehicles of category M and N fitted with specific equipment for the use of liquefied petroleum gases in their propulsion system with regard to the installation of such equipment: Retrived from https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/R067r6e.pdf
3. Regulation No. 115. (2024). Uniform provisions concerning the approval of:
I. Specific LPG (liquefied petroleum gases) retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of LPG in their propulsion system
II. Specific CNG (compressed natural gas) retrofit systems to be installed in motor vehicles for the use of CNG in their propulsion system. Retrived from https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/2013/R115r1e.pdf.
4. Minfin. (2024). The cost of autogas at gas sta-tions in Ukraine. Retrived from https://index.minfin.com.ua/ua/markets/fuel/lpg/