The idea of public access, self-serve LNG fueling has been viewed by many as impractical and possibly unreliable due to the level of training typically required to operate an LNG fueling system. LNG has many similarities to the other common cryogenic liquids like liquid nitrogen and oxygen, but a multi-component paraffin hydrocarbon has subtle differences that must be recognized. The dispenser pictured is located at a publicly-accessible fueling island at a convenience mart that also has gasoline and diesel fueling islands. Often a magnetic card reader is used to access the fuel dispenser. The driver or the hostler inserts or connects the fuel nozzle.
Little thought is given to the quality of the fuel as diesel has fairly tight specifications.
The fueling is automatically terminated when a full tank is indicated. The driver or hostler removes the fuel nozzle and retrieves the receipt or logs the fuel consumption. Specifically, a full tank means a full tank. Knowledge of the fuel quality of LNG is a non-issue as it is for diesel. LNG is delivered from liquefaction facilities having known fuel quality.