SGS accredited as the first authorised inspection company for compressed natural gas cylinders in Spain

19/05/2010

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline, diesel or propane fuel, used
in traditional gasoline cars that are capable of running on two fuels. Due to rising gasoline prices and environmental concerns, CNG is increasingly used in public and private cars. Globally, the number of public cars running on compressed natural gas grew from about 750,000 vehicles in 1997 to 7,000,000 in 2009.

To meet increasing market demand, SGS offers cost- and time-effective visual inspections of compressed natural gas cylinders. On 18 January 2010, SGS was the first inspection company in Spain to obtain authorisation to conduct visual inspections of cylinders for compressed natural gas in road vehicles
from the Departamento de Innovación, Universidades y Empresas de la Generalitat de Cataluña.

Visual inspections of compressed natural gas cylinders performed by SGS Industrial Services are in accordance with European Union directives UN-ECE 110R and UNE-26525, which regulate the approval of special engine components for compressed natural gas vehicles as well as inspection of the cylinder installation and verification of high-pressure cylinders for the on-board storage of natural gas as fuel for road vehicles.

As a result of SGS's multidisciplinary competences and innovative technology, the visual inspection of compressed natural gas cylinders allows significant cost and time savings in comparison with other inspection methods such as hydrostatic tests.

www.sgs.com/ndt