Introduction to Natural Gas
Natural gas is a completely naturally occurring gas mixture which has been in existence for centuries. The first evidence related to natural gas was found in Iran from 6000 BCE- 2000 BCE. A description of natural gas has also been found in Chinese literature dating around 900 BCE. There is a reason as to why this fuel has been used for centuries, it has got so many inherent advantages that it is still a major part of the fuel industry. Thousands of industries are still dependent on this category of fuel. The composition and properties of natural gas give it an upper hand over the other fuel resources.
Composition
The basic chemical composition of natural gas essentially contains methane and ethane. Apart from that it also contains propane, butane, oxygen, hydrogen, penance, and many other gases in small composition. This combination of gases can be categorized into these categories.
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Hydrocarbon Content
The main natural gas chemical makeup comprises mainly hydrocarbon components. These components mainly occur in a gaseous form under normal atmospheric conditions. The hydrocarbon component is ethane, methane, propane, and butane. Their gaseous form is mainly the result of high pressure in the altitudes where natural gas is found.
Non-Hydrocarbon Content
Complementing the composition and properties of natural gas hydrocarbon content is the non-hydrocarbon component. These are mainly noble gases such as helium and argon. Apart from that, natural gas also contains nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide.
Apart from that, there are some components in a very minute amount that have got distinct thermal and physical properties. These properties are then used to produce other products.
Production of Natural Gas
The first step in producing natural gas is to check the chemical composition of CNG that is available in the raw form below the surface of the ocean and other high altitude regions. Natural gas is mostly found in these high pressured regions of the sea and oceans from where it is extracted using proper natural gas extraction plants.
The main step is to conduct proper tests about whether the surface will have enough natural gas production and make a profit out of it. After that, the whole plan of extracting the natural gas is made using a proper team of experts and equipment.
This task requires a heavy amount of investment, this is why only a few major companies of the world are operating in this segment. The commercial demand for natural gas is very high. The whole world is a big market for the consumption of natural gas.
Uses of Natural Gas
There are a lot of uses of natural gas, be it commercial or the daily purpose. The main area where natural gas is used is the segment of fuel. The composition and properties of natural gas make it an ideal option to be used as a fuel. Natural gas has the highest demand as a fuel in the commercial market.
Natural gas is a very efficient choice for making electricity. When natural gas is burned, it emits high levels of carbon dioxide which is very helpful in electricity generation. It also has less wastage as compared to other biomass fuels and fossil fuels. The efficient usage of steam turbines and gas turbines helps in producing electricity economically.
Natural gas is also used in domestic settings where it is used as a heating and burning fuel. The ultra-modern settings supply this gas to people’s houses using the gas pipelines which are fitted with meters to monitor the consumption. In the less developed setting, it is supplied through other mechanisms. The chemical composition and properties of natural gas allow it to be supplied through pipelines in a safe manner.
The chemical composition of CNG also makes it an ideal option for it to be used as an automobile fuel. There is a complete range of automobiles in the market that function completely on the CNG. This fuel is considered to be the most economic option for those automobiles which are engaged in the transportation business.
The agricultural industry has also been in a better position due to natural gas. The production of ammonia reached a far better position due to natural gas.
Did You Know?
The natural gas extracted today was from the fossil fuels that got buried in the land 100 million years ago. The production of natural gas is done using the fossil fuels buried in the high pressure regions, these fossil fuels comprise natural gas that was formed due to the centuries of high heat and pressure. It is said that 70 percent of the natural gas stock in the present times was actually formed in the Mesozoic era. Another 20 percent was formed in the Cenozoic era. And the remaining 10 percent was formed in the paleozoic era.
FAQs on Composition and Properties of Natural Gas
1. What is the primary chemical composition of natural gas?
Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture. Its primary component is methane (CH₄), typically making up 70-90% of the mixture. It also contains smaller amounts of other, heavier hydrocarbons known as natural gas liquids (NGLs), such as:
- Ethane (C₂H₆)
- Propane (C₃H₈)
- Butane (C₄H₁₀)
Additionally, raw natural gas can contain non-hydrocarbon gases like water vapour, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and helium, which are usually removed during processing.
2. What are the key properties of natural gas that make it a useful fuel?
The main properties of natural gas that make it a valuable and widely used fuel source include:
- High Calorific Value: It produces a large amount of energy per unit volume when burned.
- Clean Burning: Compared to other fossil fuels like coal and oil, it produces significantly fewer emissions of carbon dioxide, sulphur oxides, and nitrogen oxides.
- Low Density: Being lighter than air, it disperses quickly in case of a leak, reducing the risk of explosion.
- Easy Transportation: It can be efficiently and safely transported over long distances through pipelines.
3. How is natural gas used in everyday life and in various industries?
Natural gas is a versatile energy source with numerous applications, including:
- Residential Use: For cooking, heating homes and water, and running appliances like clothes dryers.
- Electricity Generation: It is a major fuel for power plants to generate electricity due to its efficiency and lower emissions.
- Industrial Use: As a heat source for manufacturing processes to produce steel, glass, and paper. It's also a key feedstock for making plastics, fertilisers (ammonia), and other chemicals.
- Transportation: Used as an alternative vehicle fuel in the form of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
4. Why is methane the main component of natural gas and not other hydrocarbons?
Methane (CH₄) is the primary component of natural gas because it is the simplest and most stable hydrocarbon molecule. During the geological formation of natural gas from buried organic matter over millions of years, the intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth's crust favour the breakdown of complex organic molecules into this simplest form. While heavier hydrocarbons also form, the conditions are most conducive to the production and preservation of methane.
5. How does natural gas compare to other fossil fuels like coal and oil in terms of environmental impact?
Natural gas is considered the cleanest-burning fossil fuel. When used to generate energy, it releases approximately 50% less carbon dioxide (CO₂) than coal and 30% less than oil. It also emits negligible amounts of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are primary contributors to acid rain and smog. However, it's important to note that the main component, methane, is a potent greenhouse gas if released directly into the atmosphere before combustion.
6. What is the difference between Natural Gas, CNG, and LNG?
The main difference between Natural Gas, CNG, and LNG lies in their physical state and storage method:
- Natural Gas: This is the form of the fuel in its gaseous state, as it is extracted from the ground and transported through pipelines to homes and businesses.
- CNG (Compressed Natural Gas): This is natural gas that has been compressed to very high pressures (but remains a gas), reducing its volume to less than 1% of its original size. It is primarily used as a fuel for vehicles.
- LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas): This is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately -162°C, which turns it into a liquid. This process reduces its volume by about 600 times, making it much easier to store and transport in large quantities over long distances, especially by sea.
7. If natural gas is a fossil fuel, why is it often called a 'bridge fuel'?
Natural gas is called a 'bridge fuel' because it serves as a transitional energy source, helping to 'bridge' the gap from highly polluting fossil fuels like coal and oil to a future dominated by zero-emission renewable energy like solar and wind. Its advantage is that it provides a reliable and less carbon-intensive power source that can support the grid when renewable sources are not available (e.g., when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing), making the overall energy transition smoother and more stable.
