Natural Gas Grade 8

What is natural gas Natural gas was formed millions of years ago when most of the earth was covered by water. Plant and tiny animal remains were mixed and layered with sand and mud. When the Earth underwent natural but drastic changes to form today’s landscape, the intense heat and pressure transformed these fossils into hydrocarbons—chemical compounds of hydrogen and carbon atoms

What is natural gas Natural gas is made up mainly of a chemical called methane, a simple, compound that has a carbon atom surrounded by four hydrogen atoms. Methane is highly flammable and burns almost completely. There is no ash and very little air pollution.

What is natural gas Depending on the arrangement of the atoms, what were once sea plants and animals are now natural gas or crude oil deposits contained in the earth’s crust. Natural gas (a combustible, gaseous mixture of simple hydrocarbons) is a very light portion of petroleum, which includes both natural gas and crude oil

What is natural gas Natural gas may rise to the surface through natural openings in the earth’s crust or can be brought to the surface through man-made wells. Humans discovered thousands of years ago that this naturally occurring resource could be burned and used for heat and light. In its natural state you can’t see or smell natural gas

Uses of natural gas As a fuel, natural gas is convenient and efficient. It is used primarily for heat, in industrial, commercial and residential settings. In many homes the house and water are heated by gas, the food is cooked with it and clothes dried.

Uses of natural gas Gas is also used to produce electricity, in some cases using gas fired turbines that are similar to jet engines, in others to fire steam boilers. Small gas-fired generators, called micro turbines, have recently been introduced. Gas is often used to heat industrial and commercial boilers and pressure vessels.

Advantages of natural Gas Is more environment friendly than oil or coal. Is cheap (less expensive than gasoline) and therefore cost-effective. Can be safely stored and burned. Emits 60-90% less smog-producing pollutants. Natural gas becomes a primary source of electricity during situations when demand runs high.

Advantages of natural Gas Due to the clean burning process, it doesn't produce ash after energy is released. Has a high heating value of 24,000 Btu per pound. It can provide as long as 24 hours of electricity throughout the week It is widely used as a primary source of heating whilst cooking.

Disadvantages of natural Gas Because it is a non renewable source of energy, its availability is finite. Is highly volatile (highly flammable), and can be dangerous if handled carelessly. In gas pipelines, a substance (contains carbon monoxide) that has a strong odor is added to help detect a leak. Constructing and managing transportation pipelines costs a lot if not the transporting of the substance itself.

Disadvantages of natural Gas While it may give off lesser carbon dioxide than other sources of energy, it is nonetheless damaging the ecosystem. It isn't used in vehicles as a primary source of fuel since it is a highly combustible substance. While natural gas can prove to be not so feasible when it comes to acquiring and maintaining its line of distribution, it does in fact prove to be less damaging than its counterparts when it come to pollution.

Video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKX0GeF9w- Natural gas brief history http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuvvaZrUDe4&NR=1&feature=endscreen –LNG facts http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=aTTJeTaYDyc – Natural gas pipeline operation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuvvaZrUDe4&NR=1&feature=endscreen – Natural gas transportation