Following the recent hike in fuel price as a result of subsidy removal, some Nigerians are now powering their electricity generators with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). But is it safe?
In a video clip posted on Facebook, a mechanic was seen introducing a new kind of carburettor to a generator while connecting a gas tank to it in order to power it.
HOW TO POWER A GENERATOR WITH GASOLINE
A Gombe-based generator mechanic and expert, Abdukar Sulaiman of Habuda Technical Services, explained to WikkiTimes how gas can be used to power electricity generators.
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According to him, converting a generator to function with gas involves changing the original fuel carburetor in the generator to a hybrid carburetor. The hybrid carburetor allows a generator to function on both fuel and gas.
Photo: Konga
“It is not a new innovation,” he said. “It has been in existence for a long time. Most people only discovered it with the recent fuel price hike.”
He said the hybrid carburetor is replaced with that of the generator, and then a hose is connected to the carburetor, linking it to a refilled gas tank.
“It is cost-effective because, if you, for instance, compare using 5 kg of gas and 5 litres of petrol, the former can last for a week and the latter can last for just five hours. That depends on the load attached to them, though,” he explained.
Comparing the functions of a fuel-powered generator with that of gas, the expert said there is only a slight difference in the function, saying: “Both function almost in the same way, but that of gas lasts for a longer time.”
‘IT IS RISKY AND PEOPLE CAN’T AFFORD IT FOR A LONG TIME’
The expert also explained why this method is risky and why people cannot entirely afford it for a long time.
According to him, the foremost risk of the method involves a possible explosion. This, he said, may be caused by exposure to heat or sun “when you use a short hose.”
“The connecting hose is supposed to be at least 15 yards long, but people don’t usually buy more than four yards,” he said. “We try to explain to them that using a shorter hose can expose the gas tank to heat and risk explosion.”
“The hose costs N400 per yard and the hybrid carburetor is N15,000,” he said.
He said a shorter hose does not give a long distance between the carburetor and the gas tank; therefore, the heat generated by the carburetor affects the gas tank and risks explosion.
He added that even with a longer hose, constant use can wear out the rubber hose, puncture it, and pose the risk of leakage.
“Gas leakage is very dangerous because it can explode any second with exposure to heat,” he said. “Most of the people that patronise us don’t understand that.”
On why he thinks people cannot afford it for a long time, he said: “It is required that any time you refill your gas tank, you should invite a mechanic to connect it back to your generator. You might risk leaking it yourself. Eventually, people will resume buying fuel for their generators, I think.”
