By Godwin Otang
As part of efforts to cushion the hash effect of high Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) better known as fuel, occasioned by the removal of subsidy by the Federal Government, a Calabar-based Civil Engineer, David Agianpuye, has taken advantage of the Hybrid Carburetor Technology to help create an alternative to petrol generators.
The technology reduces carbon deposit on the generator, cuts down the expenses of buying PMS, plus improves the life span for generators. It is a technology that enables you to alternate between the use of petrol and Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) commonly referred to as cooking gas on the same generating set with the help of a carburetor.
In an exclusive interview with CrossRiverWatch in Calabar, Engineer David explained that, though he is not the founder of the technology, he’s one of the few persons who have made it visible in Cross River especially in Calabar, where five users are benefiting from the innovation.
According to him: “From basic sciences, without being told, I can just figure out that, from the point of the Carburetor where the gas flows through, there’s a technology that pressures the gas better into the generator: The technology in that carburetor aids the gas to flow into the combustion chamber and it is dual, so you can switch to petrol, off or disconnect the gas cylinder, and make use of petrol on the same generator and vice versa.
“The technology in the carburetor doesn’t in any way affect the power generation and supply capacity in the generator: as long as the mechanical part of the machine is switched on, and is giving oscillatory motion which in turn spines your alternator and the Revolution Per Minute (RPM) is steady and gives a speed in your alternator the power will be steady.
“The only difference is that gas is better than fossil fuel because it burns better; gas is cleaner, and has far less carbon deposit with a cleaner combustion process; giving between 30 to 50% reduction in stress on the combustion chamber,” David explained.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, Chief Executive Officer of G-NFoodies and TopNotchguards located at 30, Ikot Efa Street Calabar, added that: “I get N2,000 gas (equivalent to 4 liters of PMS) and run for 8 hours plus. Whereas 4 liters of PMS at the same N2,000 can only give 3 hours or less. So with more than 50 percent less carbon deposit, your generator can last longer. Because gas is a cleaner source of energy. Although this technology can only be used on generators that have separate chambers for fuel and engine oil.”
Speaking of safety, David assured: “As long as tight and correct connections between the hoses are done, there is no gas leakage, and ensure that the gas cylinder is not exposed to sunlight you are safe.
“The world is moving away from fossil fuel which is very expensive in sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria here in particular, it’s expedient that we follow this technology.”
