Natural Gas

Key Notes :

What is Natural Gas?

Natural gas is another fossil fuel, like coal and petroleum. It is a non-renewable fuel. Natural gas is used for waste treatment and incineration. Gases like butane, ethane, and propane may be extracted from it and used as feedstock for products such as fertilizers and pharmaceutical products

  • Natural gas is one of the most useful, clean, and safe energy sources. It is a colorless and odorless gas in its pure form and is made up of many gases, of which methane is the most prominent. The chemical formula for methane is CH4.
  • When natural gas burns, it gives off a great deal of energy, and unlike other fossil fuels, leaves no ash. It causes very little air pollution, as methane burns almost completely.
  • It is one of the cleanest burning fuels and produces mostly heat, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. Thus, it is said that it contributes to a cleaner and greener environment. 
  • Natural gas is odorless. To detect gas leaks, a harmless but pungent odorant that smells like rotten eggs is added to it, as a safety measure. It can be smelt in case of even a small leak.
  • Natural gas is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU).
  • Natural gas is compressed to high pressure and stored in hard cylindrical or spherical containers, for distribution. It is then known as Compressed Natural Gas or CNG.
  • CNG is also distributed to homes and industries through pipes. For example, in India, such a network of pipelines exists in Vadodara in Gujarat, and some parts of Delhi. CNG is now used as a fuel for transport vehicles – from light-duty trucks, auto rickshaws, and taxi cabs to delivery vans and heavy-duty vehicles like buses.
🔷Uses of Natural Gas 

👉Natural gas is used for cooking. 
👉To run the central heating and cooling systems and cloth dryers.
👉For electricity generation through the use of gas turbines and steam turbines. 
👉In the manufacture of fabrics, glass, steel, plastics, paint, and other products.
  1. What is Natural Gas?
    • Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is formed deep within the Earth’s crust over millions of years from the remains of plants and animals.
  2. Composition and Properties:
    • Natural gas is primarily composed of methane (CH4), a colorless and odorless gas.
    • It is lighter than air and burns cleanly, producing less pollution compared to other fossil fuels.
  3. Sources and Extraction:
    • Natural gas is found in underground rock formations, often alongside oil deposits.
    • It is extracted through drilling wells and then transported via pipelines.
  4. Uses:
    • Natural gas is used for heating homes and buildings, as well as for cooking.
    • It is also used in power plants to generate electricity.
    • In industries, it’s a feedstock for chemicals and materials.
  5. Advantages:
    • Burns are cleaner than coal and oil, releasing fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants.
    • Abundant and widely available in many parts of the world.
    • Efficient and versatile for various applications.
  6. Disadvantages:
    • Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas if leaked into the atmosphere.
    • Extraction and transportation can result in methane leaks, impacting the environment.
    • Natural gas is a finite resource and will eventually run out.
  7. Environmental Impact:
    • Burning natural gas releases carbon dioxide (CO2), but less compared to coal and oil.
    • Methane leaks during extraction and transport contribute to global warming.
  8. Safety Measures:
    • Natural gas is odorless, but an odorant (usually mercaptan) is added to detect leaks by smell.
    • Proper ventilation and maintenance of gas appliances are essential to prevent accidents.
  9. Global Importance:
    • Natural gas plays a significant role in the energy mix of many countries.
    • It is also used for transportation (compressed natural gas or LNG).
  10. Future Trends:
    • Research is ongoing to develop more efficient and cleaner technologies for natural gas extraction and use.
    • Shift towards renewable energy sources might impact the demand for natural gas in the future.

Remember, this is a basic overview of the topic suitable for grade 8. You can elaborate on these points with examples, diagrams, and more details based on the level of understanding of the students.

Let’s practice!