Natural gas is a fossil fuel composed mainly of methane and small amounts of butane, ethane, and propane.
In its pure form, it is colorless and has no odor. However, additives are usually added to the natural gas to give it a rotten egg smell that everyone is familiar with.
This is done to make it easier to detect natural gas in case of a leak becasue it is extremely flammable and at higher concentrations can cause asphyxia.
Two main byproducts of natural gas combustion are water and carbon dioxide.
Here are eight of the most common uses of natural gas.
Related: What is Flaring in Oil and Gas?
What is Natural Gas Used For?
1. Electricity Generation
Natural gas is commonly used for generating electricity in power plants.
It is a relatively cheap and more environmentally friendly alternative for generating electricity than crude oil or coal.
The heat released from the combustion of natural gas is used to create steam which is then used to turn a turbine that generates electricity.
2. Heating
Natural gas is also used for heating both residential and industrial buildings.
If you leave in a country with a colder climate it is highly likely that your building is kept warm in the winter by burning natural gas.
Many houses also have gas fireplaces that are powered by natural gas.
Lastly, it is used to heat up the water so that you have hot water in your house.
3. Transportation
Natural gas is used on some vehicles instead of diesel or gasoline.
This is done by compressing natural gas for easier and more efficient storage. This compressed natural gas is called (CNG)
Another even more efficient option is compressing natural gas to the liquid form. This way even more gas can be stored in a single tank. This liquified natural gas is called LNG.
Using natural gas for transportation is often a more environmentally friendly and cheaper option than gasoline or diesel.
Related: What is LNG and How It Is Used?
4. Cooking
Natural gas is used in the gas stoves to prepare and heat up food. It is clean, cheap, and can be used in places where electricity is not available.
Natural gas is also sometimes used instead of propane in grill BBQs. It is cheaper and is more convenient to use if you already have a gas line going to your balcony or patio.
5. Metallurgical Industry
Natural gas is used to produce heat to melt the metals or to produce hydrogen that is used in the steelmaking process.
Related: How Is Natural Gas Formed?
6. Fertilizers
Natural gas is used in the production of ammonia which is later used to manufacture various fertilizers that are used in agriculture.
7. Hydrogen Generation
Natural gas can be converted into hydrogen which is later used in the petrochemical industry or as a fuel in hydrogen vehicles.
Hydrogen is generated from natural gas by steam reforming where methane reacts with steam and is converted into hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
8. Chemical Synthesis
The mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide created during the steam reforming process is called syngas.
Syngas can be used to create a large variety of chemicals from methanol and ammonia to diesel.
Read next: What are Methane Gas Hydrates?
References:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_gas
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syngas