Uses of Natural Gas Energy

Numerous alternative energy sources are needed to secure a clean and green environment. Using natural gas is widely practiced in every sector of the society due to its energy-efficient benefits. More importantly, natural gas paves the way for a better and cleaner air in the future. Residential, commercial and industrial applications of natural gas energy continue to increase, answering the demand for an ecologically sound alternative fuel source.

Identification

• Natural gas, as its name implies, comes from the earth where decayed organisms have been converted into tiny odorless bubbles due to pressure and heat. Methane is the main component of natural gas. Geologists test the rocks and soil of a parcel of land to locate possible sources of natural gas, which is used for more than 20 percent of energy consumption in the U.S.

Benefits

• Burning more clearly than fossil fuels, natural gas emits less carbon, sulfur and nitrogen. It also doesn't leave ash particles once it is completely burned. Thus, this clean fuel is a major proponent of a green environment. Today, engineers and manufacturers produce, store and transport natural gas with the help of highly advanced tools such as GPRS tracking systems, seismic technologies and drilling machinery. This helps to ensure minimal disruption of the earth's ecological setup when sourcing natural gas.

Residential

• Using natural gas inside homes is one of the common applications of this type of energy source. Natural gas heating and air conditioning are popular alternatives to using electric-powered systems. Also, modern residential structures choose natural gas appliances like dryers, pool heaters, furnaces, barbecue grills and outdoor lights as they do provide energy-efficient and safe options compared to other fuel sources.

Commercial

• Natural gas and water heating systems extend to commercial consumption as well. Government buildings, schools, offices, establishments, hotels and restaurants use energy-saving appliances. Cooking and cooling are actually two requirements in which natural gas definitely fits. Many advanced cooling machines are powered by natural gas energy, helping to lessen the electricity consumption of buildings. Power generators that are used during outages can now be powered by natural gas energy.

Industrial

• Industries also benefit greatly from natural gas energy. With the volume of manufacturing processes, industrial applications such as waste treatment, metal preheating, glass melting, dehumidification and food processing use natural gas as its main energy source. Some chemicals, fertilizers and pharmaceutical products utilize natural gas components like butane and propane as feedstock.

Transportation

• Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are becoming more popular on the road to heed the call for cleaner air. NGVs do not emit harmful contaminants into the environment, unlike traditional vehicles that run on gasoline or diesel fuels. This is due to the chemical composition of natural gas, which is less toxic than the deadly substances emitted by the combustion of gasoline-powered cars. The safety factor also weighs heavily in favor of natural gas because in the event of accidental leakage, it dissipates into thin air without causing harmful build-up on the surface.