Natural Gas
What is Natural Gas Natural Gas: -A flammable material made from carbon and hydrogen formed in short chains. A nonrenewable fuel. eg. Methane, Propane How is it made? - Created when plant and animal bodies are exposed to high pressure and temperature for thousands of years
Natural Gas What do we use it for? -Heating (hot water tanks, etc.) -Cooking -Generate electricity -Vehicle Fuel -Manufacture plastics
Who Extracts it? (in cubic meter)
Sources of Natural Gas Coal Beds: Layers of rock that contain layers of coal. Coal = carbon fossilized Shale Beds: Trapped in shale rock Methane Clathrates: A solid compound made from a crystal that holds methane inside it.
Processes that make natural gas 1)Biogenic: (Bio = living, Genic = Made) Made from organisms, mainly bacteria and algae. - Sewage, Bogs, Marshes, Composts 2)Thermogenic:
Processes that make natural gas 1)Biogenic: (Bio = living, Genic = Made) Made from organisms, mainly bacteria. - Sewage, Bogs, Marshes, Composts 2)Thermogenic: Made from thousand year old dead animals and plants buried under layers of rocks under high pressure and temperature
Processing Natural Gas Processing: Removal of impurities leaving almost pure methane behind which is sold as natural gas Products that are released during processing: -Butane -Pentanes -Hydrogen sulfides -Carbon dioxide -Water -Helium
Shale Beds and Fracking
Shale Shale: A layers of mud and clay that was hardened over thousands of years. Where many fossils are found Shale Gas: Refers to the gas stuck in the layers of shale
Shale Gas and Hydraulic Fracking Removal of Gas from Shale Naturally: Releasing gas trapped in shale can be released by the natural fracturing of the shale layer. Artificially: Hydraulic Fracturing is used to break the layers of shale and release the gas. Methods commonly used in Canada and the US
Hydraulic Fracturing Hydraulic Fracturing: Breaking layers of shale to release the trapped natural gas Steps: 1)Locate shale beds 2)Set up a drilling rig 3)Drill to the shale layer
Hydraulic Fracturing Hydraulic Fracturing: Breaking layers of shale to release the trapped natural gas Steps: 1)Locate shale beds 2)Set up a drilling rig 3)Drill to the shale layer 4)Angle the drill so that it runs down the shale strip 5)Remove the drill and insert a pipe down the length of the hole
Hydraulic Fracturing Hydraulic Fracturing: Breaking layers of shale to release the trapped natural gas Steps: 1)Locate shale beds 2)Set up a drilling rig 3)Drill to the shale layer 4)Angle the drill so that it runs down the shale strip 5)Remove the drill and insert a pipe down the length of the hole 6)Insert a perforating devise that breaks holes in the end of the pipe
Hydraulic Fracturing Hydraulic Fracturing: Breaking layers of shale to release the trapped natural gas Steps: 1)Locate shale beds 2)Set up a drilling rig 3)Drill to the shale layer 4)Angle the drill so that it runs down the shale strip 5)Remove the drill and insert a pipe down the length of the hole 6)Insert a perforating devise that breaks holes in the end of the pipe 7)Force a mix of water, sand and chemicals into the line and out the holes 8)Water pressure breaks shale and releases trapped gas
How is Natural Gas made by living organisms: Algae Fuel: Algae are used to produce methane, Vegetable oil, Biodiesel, Bioethanol and Biogasoline. Benefits: -Can grow on land no suitable for other uses -Low impact on fresh water supply -Does produce CO2 but also uses CO2 to grow algae
Assignment Questions Next class: Gas Land