We spoke with the Commercial Manager of Kioshi Compresion SA, Francisco Isoldi, who referred to the consumption comparative trials with two KIA K2500 vehicles, one diesel original and one converted to compressed natural gas (CNG), organized by the Argentine producer of cylinders on May 19, 2012.

   Isoldi reported that Kioshi Compresion has been betting and working in this kind of transformation in recent years, knowing it is a valid alternative to a sector of diesel transport users, whether urban or intercity of long distance, in order to replace the liquid fuel by natural gas. In this sense, the company was testing different technologies in other types of vehicles until they concluded an agreement with Kia Argentina, and from there began to develop a transformation equipment for this specific model, which is the K2500, with originally diesel engine, turbo and intercooler. There was a development of parts and components for the transformation in the engine as in the conversion kit, and electronics that manages the entire operation of the equipment.

   According to the Argentine executive, they had already tested the vehicle individually but it was interesting to compare this model with a similar diesel to make a starting and reference point, and see the performance and savings could be achieved. The test consisted of a tour given with identical vehicles, stocking up on fuel at the starting point and starting the journey from Kioshi plant in the locality of Lanus to the city of Chascomús, finally returning factory for refueling both units and make comparison. The vehicles traveled 224 km and at the time of refueling again the first result was that the diesel vehicle consumed 175 pesos (USD 39), against 61 pesos (USD 13.6) of the unit converted to CNG. This allowed a savings of more than 100 pesos (USD 22) in just 224 km.

   Kioshi’s Commercial Manager explained that, although the transformation of a diesel engine to CNG is a practice already used, it was not developed with importance in Argentina because the variables on the value of the fuel were not attractive. Today, however, the equation has changed since the price of diesel was sincere and is almost on international values, noticing the real impact of its cost and producing users are more receptive to alternatives that improve their profitability.

   In relation to the company, he recalled that began its activities with expectations to cover part of the local market needs of cylinders for CNG storage, because until not long ago a considerable amount of products used in Argentina was covered with imported material and there was a failure in the supply of gaseous fuel cylinders. However, this initial expectation led to a significant activity that positioned Kioshi as one of the most important companies in the sector locally and opened the possibility of exporting its products to several Asian, European and American countries. This was possible, according to Isoldi, because it is the only company that could meet all worldwide certification for quality of products.

   Also, the specialist said that Kioshi marked difference from the beginning in the Argentine market because the company sought to optimize the space in the trunks of cars by designing cylinders with measures specially adapted to the size of local vehicles. Previously were used cylinders with standard measures, adapting practically the trunk of the automobile to the cylinders.

   Finally, Isoldi, who is also General Secretary of the CNG Chamber from Argentina, described the current state of gaseous fuel in this country and the recent nationalization of the local oil company YPF. Regarding the latter, the executive said the move was taken by the National Government to optimize the extraction and exploitation of natural gas. While for the CNG market, which for the past eight months maintained a sustained level of conversions, he provides an interesting future demand.