In the previous part of this series, we wrote about gas injectors Now it’s time to take a closer look at reducers. They are a very important element of every gas installation and a boundary between it and the elements of the cylinder.

Before gas reaches the combustion chamber inside the engine, it must enter the gas system from a cylinder or pipeline. The issue is that the pressure of stored or transported gas is relatively high. Using compressed gas directly could be dangerous for the system. For this reason a reducer is necessary. Its primary function is to lower the gas pressure to ensure it does not pose a risk to other components. In the case of gases compressed to a liquid state, the reducer acts as a vaporizer, changing the state from liquid to gaseous.

Although the principle of reducer’s operation may seem quite obvious, many factors come into play. The most important functions of a reducer are:

– reducing the gas pressure before it enters the installation,

– changing the state of LPG from liquid to gas.

But that’s not all. Reducer is a boundary between the cylinder and the gas installation. Therefore, it serves to protect the engine against unwanted gas supply when the installation is not working.

In Fuel Fusion LPG version, the reducer is also responsible for changing the fuel’s state from liquid to gas. Propane-butane is liquefied through high-pressure compression. To transition back to a gaseous state, the LPG must be expanded, which is why a reducer is essential.

For CNG the phase transition does not occur. Methane is sold in a compressed state, but not at a pressure high enough to liquefy it. As a result, the reducer in CNG systems does not function as a vaporizer but only as a pressure regulator, ensuring that gas enters the system at a safe pressure.

The process of gas liquefaction or expansion is accompanied by extremely low temperatures. To prevent freezing, the reducer must be heated, utilizing heat emitted by the engine during operation. This is why the gas system should not be activated before the engine warmed up. Fuel Fusion system lets determining the temperature of the reducer at which the installation is to be turned on.

The central component of the reducer is its housing, typically made of aluminum due to the material’s excellent thermal conductivity. Another crucial component is the pressure valve, which regulates gas flow and maintains stable pressure. If the pressure is too low, the valve’s piston moves to allow more gas to pass through. If the pressure is too high, the valve partially closes, restricting the flow. Beside gas supply hoses, the reducer is also connected to a hose that transports a heat-regulating substance.

Gas expansion generates extremely low temperatures. Maintaining the correct temperature inside the reducer is critical, as it ensures proper gas pressure. For this reason, a heat exchanger, also known as a coolant, is necessary. This prevents the reducer from freezing during operation, which could otherwise lead to malfunctions, such as blockages or the freezing of valve components.

The reducer is one of the most essential components of a gas installation. It ensures that fuel enters the combustion chamber in a gaseous state at a stable and safe pressure. To maintain system safety, it is crucial to check the reducer’s condition during every inspection. We recommend to replace it every 200,000 km or every 2,800 operating hours.