What is Natural Gas?
Discover the uses, components, and history of natural gas
Versatility at Home and Industry
How is Natural Gas Used?
Natural gas is a versatile energy source that’s used in a variety of ways, including heating, cooking, industrial processes, transportation, and as a fuel source for electricity generation.
Heating
Provides efficient and consistent warmth for homes and businesses
Water Heating
Offers a cost-effective and reliable hot water supply.
Cooking
Allows for precise temperature control and quick heating.
Industrial Processes
A clean fuel option for manufacturing and production.
Transportation
Serves as a cleaner alternative to gasoline or diesel.
Electricity Generation
Used in power plants for its efficiency and lower emissions, supporting a transition to sustainable energy.
U.S. Natural Gas Consumption by Sector 1950-2020
Electricity Generation
One of the most significant uses of natural gas is for electricity generation. This is achieved by burning natural gas to produce heat, which is then used to run turbines that generate electricity. Natural gas power plants are a popular choice for electricity generation due to their high efficiency and low emission rates compared to other fossil fuels such as coal and oil. As a result, they are considered a more environmentally friendly option for generating electricity.
Industrial Processes
Natural gas is a beneficial, versatile, and clean fuel source used across many industrial processes. It’s preferred over other fossil fuels because of its lower carbon emissions, making it a more eco-friendly option for producing materials and goods. One of the primary uses of natural gas is in manufacturing plants, which helps to melt, bake, and dry materials during production. It’s also commonly used in the metals industry to efficiently preheat metals like steel, aluminum, copper, zinc, and iron, reducing energy consumption, and it helps manage waste in treatment plants and recycling facilities.
More recently, it’s been found to be a practical element in dehumidification processes that ensure high-quality production of goods. This widespread use of natural gas highlights its essential role in improving efficiency and sustainability across various industrial sectors.
Residential and Commercial Heating and Cooking
Natural gas is a widely used source for heating homes and businesses. Heating systems that utilize natural gas are highly efficient and provide consistent warmth throughout a home or building. They’re also cost-effective, as natural gas is less expensive than both electricity and propane. With proper maintenance, they can outlast electric heat pumps and propane heating systems, providing a long-term heating solution with fewer replacements and repairs.
Beyond heating, natural gas revolutionizes cooking in kitchens and water heating, offering precise control and instant heat for cooking and an efficient, reliable hot water supply. These benefits make natural gas a complete energy solution for homes and businesses, ensuring comfort, convenience, and savings.
Transportation
As the need for more sustainable fuel alternatives increases, natural gas is becoming a popular option in the transportation sector. With its ability to fuel vehicles such as buses and trucks, natural gas is quickly gaining traction as a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles. In addition, natural gas is also a more cost-effective fuel source for transportation, making it an attractive choice for many businesses looking to reduce their expenses.
A closer look
Magnifying Natural Gas
Natural Gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting of methane and commonly includes various amounts of other higher alkanes and sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or helium. It forms underground from the decomposition of plants and animals under high pressure and heat over millions of years. It forms underground from the decomposition of plants and animals under high pressure and heat over millions of years.
Natural gas was discovered accidentally in ancient China, as it resulted from the drilling for brines. Natural gas was first used by the Chinese in about 500 BC (possibly even 1000 BC). They discovered a way to transport gas seeping from the ground in crude pipelines of bamboo to where it was used to boil salt water to extract the salt in the Ziliujing District of Sichuan.
The discovery and identification of natural gas in the Americas happened in 1626 when French explorers witnessed a group of Native Americans lighting natural gas seeps around Lake Erie. In 1821, William Hart successfully dug the first natural gas well at Fredonia, New York, United States, which led to the formation of the Fredonia Gas Light Company. The city of Philadelphia created the first municipally owned natural gas distribution venture in 1836.
Like other forms of heat energy, natural gas is measured in British thermal units or BTUs. One BTU is equivalent to the heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. A cubic foot of natural gas holds a lot of power, about 1,032 Btu.
The unit you see on your heating bill holds even more power: most natural gas bills measure gas in therms, which is a unit of heating equal to 103,200 Btu. A therm is enough to provide almost 2.5 days of hot water for your household and two therms can warm your home for a day.
The Future of natural gas
Renewable Natural Gas
Renewable natural gas (RNG), or biomethane, is a sustainable and clean alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Produced from organic materials such as agricultural waste, sewage, and landfills, renewable natural gas is a form of biogas that has been upgraded. The upgrading process removes impurities such as water, carbon dioxide, and siloxanes from the captured biogas to meet pipeline quality specifications. RNG injected into a natural gas pipeline contains 96% to 98% methane, resulting in a viable fuel source for transportation and heating.
Pig Farms
Renewable natural gas is produced by capturing methane from pig manure through anaerobic digestion, converting waste into clean energy, and reducing farm odors and methane emissions.
Agricultural Waste
Using leftovers from crops and livestock, agricultural waste is transformed into renewable natural gas via anaerobic digestion, turning organic matter into a sustainable energy source while minimizing waste.
Landfills
Methane emissions from decomposing waste in landfills are captured and processed into renewable natural gas, providing a dual benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and generating sustainable energy.
One of the main benefits of renewable natural gas is its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is because RNG is produced from organic materials that have already released carbon dioxide during their growth. This means when renewable natural gas is burned, it releases the same amount of carbon dioxide that was absorbed during its production, making it a carbon-neutral fuel source.
RNG Projects in the United States from 2005-2022
U.S. RNG Project Growth - Source EPA.gov
Another benefit of renewable natural gas is its ability to provide energy security and independence. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, which are subject to price fluctuations and supply disruptions, renewable natural gas can be produced locally using organic materials readily available in the area. This helps reduce our dependence on foreign fossil fuel sources and provides a stable source of energy for communities.
Currently, the majority of renewable natural gas is used for transportation and heating. Renewable natural gas can be used in compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles, which emit fewer pollutants and have lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles. It can also be used in natural gas power plants to produce electricity, providing a cleaner, more reliable source of power.
Despite its many benefits, there are still some challenges to overcome before renewable natural gas can become a mainstream fuel source. One of the main challenges is the cost of upgrading biogas to pipeline quality specifications. However, as the technology improves and larger production volumes are achieved, the cost of upgrading is expected to decrease.
As the world continues to search for clean energy solutions, renewable natural gas is an option that won’t be overlooked, as its use is an essential step towards a more sustainable future.
A Sustainable Transportation Fuel
Compressed Natural Gas
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a type of natural gas that is compressed to less than 1% of its volume under standard atmospheric pressure. Although it can be used to supply gas to residential and commercial buildings, its primary use is in the transportation industry as a clean and efficient fuel for vehicles.
CNG Emissions Compared to Diesel Vehicles
CNG is a much cleaner alternative to gasoline or diesel, significantly reducing the amount of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, which supports environmental sustainability. It’s a cost-effective alternative to traditional fuels, with stable pricing, and can be used in cars, buses, and trucks.
This sector of the natural gas industry is a significant step towards cleaner transportation solutions, in line with global efforts to lower carbon footprints.