Master Gas Increases CNG Stations to Meet Growing Demand in Egypt
Introduction – Challenge
In 2020, the Egyptian government launched an ambitious project to install 1000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refueling stations across the country. The goal of the project was to encourage the use of CNG as a cleaner and more affordable alternative to gasoline and diesel fuel. Master Gas (part of Taqa Group), a leading supplier of CNG equipment, had a total of seven refueling stations in different locations at the time.
Taqa Group, a private sector company that provides premium customer service and operates elite fueling station locations, saw an opportunity to expand its CNG refueling business in Egypt. The company set a target to increase the number of stations to 70 by the end of 2022, focusing on providing high reliability equipment with uninterrupted gas supply.
To ensure the financial viability of the project, Taqa’s shareholders set a financial model that took into account the high cost of electric power in Egypt. To determine the most cost-effective way to power the CNG refueling stations, Master Gas worked with IMW, conducting a detailed analysis of the operating costs and capital expenditures associated with both electric motor drive and engine drive systems. Based on the current cost of electricity in Egypt, IMW recommended using engine drive systems to power the CNG refueling stations, as it would be cheaper to operate in the long run.
With the support of IMW and Master Gas successfully expanded its CNG refueling business to meet the growing demand in Egypt. The company’s focus on providing high-quality equipment and exceptional customer service helped it become a leader in the industry. Today, Master Gas’ CNG refueling stations are a reliable and cost-effective alternative for drivers in Egypt.
Customer Requirement
Inlet Pressure
| PSIG (barg) | 36.25 to 58 (2.5 to 4) |
Flowrate
| SCFM (Sm3/h) | 511.9 to 743.6 (783 to 1,370) |
Discharge Pressure
| PSIG (barg) | 3,625 (250) |
Stages
| No. | 4 |
Cooling System
| – | Air Cooled |
Conformance
| – | ASME / NFPA 52 / NFPA 70 |
Design Temperature
| °F (°C) | 41 to 113 (5 to 45) |
Imw solution - contribution
Compact Design
IMW’s systems are designed to be compact and space-efficient, which is particularly important in locations where space is limited. By reducing the physical footprint of the equipment, IMW enabled Master Gas to install more CNG refueling stations in different locations with reduced space.
High-Efficiency
IMW’s engine drive systems are designed to be highly efficient, which means that they require less energy to compress natural gas compared to other systems. This translates into lower operating costs for Master Gas, making the CNG refueling stations more financially sustainable. In addition, the high efficiency of the engine drive systems helps to minimize the carbon footprint of the refueling process, making it an environmentally friendly option.
Air-Cooled
IMW’s engine drives are designed to operate without the need for water or other coolants, which makes them air-cooled. This is a significant benefit for locations where water supply may be scarce or limited, such as in rural areas. The air-cooled operation also simplifies the installation and maintenance of the CNG refueling system, which reduces the overall cost of ownership for Master Gas.
