Time-fill CNG stations are ideal for fleet vehicles with large tanks that return to a central location for an extended period, like nightly. At a time-fill station, CNG is delivered by the local utility line to a compressor on site. Vehicles are filled directly by the compressor, not from storage vessels, though a storage system is often incorporated into the process to reduce wear and tear on the compressor and aid in topping off the vehicle fuel tank.

Time-fill is a preferred method of refueling refuse trucks, school buses, and other fleets with similar refueling requirements. Time-fill stations have significantly lower equipment and installation costs because they do not require storage, priority, or sequential refueling components.

These types of stations are generally “behind the fence” operations not open for fueling by the public. Fueling at time-fill dispensers can take anywhere from several minutes to a few hours depending on facility size and vehicle tank capacity.

On-road LNG Fueling

LNG fueling stations generally receive their LNG supply from a liquefaction plant via tanker truck specially designed to distribute cryogenic fuels. At the fueling site, LNG is offloaded into the facility’s super-cooled storage system. When needed, LNG is dispensed as a liquid into cryogenic tanks onboard the vehicle. Because LNG is distributed as a cryogenic fuel, personal protection equipment is required when fueling and training of fueling procedures is necessary.

Marine LNG Bunkering

LNG bunkering is the process of transferring LNG to a ship for use as fuel. Bunkering to a ship comes from different sources: ship-to-ship, terminal-to-ship, and truck-to-ship. Choosing a source for bunkering is dependent on permitting process at the terminal and availability of LNG at the location.

Railroad LNG Fueling

Railroads that have made the conversion to LNG can be filled like on-road applications. The LNG is stored in a tender car, which then supplies fuel to the locomotive during operation.