When natural gas is burned for energy, it produces fewer air pollutants and carbon dioxide (CO2) than when coal or petroleum products are burned to produce the same amount of energy. Natural gas emits about 117 pounds of CO2 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), compared to more than 200 pounds per MMBtu from coal and more than 160 pounds per MMBtu from distillate fuel oil. Natural gas’s clean-burning attributes have contributed to greater natural gas use in the United States for electricity generation and as a transportation fuel for fleet cars.
Why is natural gas referred to as a “clean” fuel?
Natural Gas Burning Characteristics The way natural gas burns, especially when contrasted to other fossil fuels, is one of the main reasons why it is considered a clean fuel. Simply put, natural gas is mostly made up of methane, a carbon-based molecule containing four hydrogen atoms (CH4).
Brainly, why is natural gas said to as a “clean” fuel?
Natural gas is what it’s called “It’s considered “clean” because it releases half as much carbon dioxide as coal when burned. As a result, some perceive it as a threat “Until zero-carbon-producing renewables can take over, a “bridge” fuel will be used.
Is natural gas the most environmentally friendly fossil fuel?
The majority of the energy in the United States comes from the combustion of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are not only a nonrenewable resource, but they also harm the ecosystem and contribute to global warming. It is critical that the United States reduces its reliance on fossil fuels and shifts to renewable energy sources. Natural gas is a major source of energy in the United States (Figure 1, EIA, 2008) and is used in a variety of industries (Figure 2, data from EIA, 2008).
The Marcellus Shale holds 50 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas, enough to supply the United States for two years at present consumption rates1.
Comparison of Emissions for Fuel Sources
Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel in terms of emissions from power plants. The emissions of numerous stack gasses for natural gas, oil, and coal are compared using data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) branch of the Department of Energy (DOE). Natural gas does not emit considerable amounts of nitrogen oxides or sulfur dioxide, in addition to reducing CO2 emissions.
Leaks of methane (CH4) from natural gas pipelines, on the other hand, could be a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Because methane contributes more to climate change per pound than CO2, even tiny methane leaks could cause natural gas to contribute more to climate change than coal. According to a 1997 research by the EPA and GRI, natural gas’s lower CO2 emissions outweigh any greenhouse gas emissions from methane leaks2. It’s uncertain whether these figures still apply to contemporary gas output, but in 1997, natural gas leaks were estimated to account for 19-21 percent of anthropocentric methane emissions in the United States3. Before making precise comparisons between the climate change effects of natural gas and other fossil fuels, more conclusive research is required.
Water withdraws
For cooling plant equipment, power plants require enormous amounts of clean freshwater. Power generation in the Susquehanna Valley, Pennsylvania, consumes 150 million gallons of water every day. In this area, the projected peak water demand for shale gas drilling is only 8.5 million gallons per day. 4
Probability of failure
The American Petroleum Institute looked into the possibility of injected fluids contaminating subsurface drinking water sources in the 1980s (USDW). The likelihood of failure, assuming acceptable well casing design, was calculated to be between 2 x 10-5 and 2 x 10-8. The probability that a well will damage a USDW is predicted to be even smaller than 2 x 10-8 due to new developments in well construction technology and taking injection conditions into account. Failure of the lined fracking liquids containment ponds is another possible source of contamination of USDWs. The chances of failure are projected to be increased, but this is unknown.
Other Environmental Concerns
In general, natural gas extraction and combustion are more environmentally beneficial than coal. While other fossil fuels are sometimes more damaging and polluting, natural gas production through hydraulic fracturing comes with many additional negative environmental consequences.
Water Pollution
Coal mining and combustion contribute significantly to water contamination. Permitting restrictions under the Clean Air Act require coal-fired power stations to remove dangerous substances from flue gas. Scrubbers, which take flue gas and extract contaminants into water, are used to remove these compounds. The water is treated in the power plants, and the operators are granted a discharge permit under the Clean Water Act to discharge it into a local stream. Arsenic, aluminum, boron, chromium, manganese, nickel, and lead are all common pollutants found in power plant waste water. Many dangerous contaminants discovered in power plant waste water effluent emissions are not controlled or are only regulated in certain specific circumstances, according to a New York Times study of EPA records. In addition to the sporadic regulation of contaminants in wastewater, the provisions of the discharge permit have been demonstrated to be laxly enforced. Many cases of arsenic entering streams at amounts surpassing 18 times the federal drinking water standard, for example, were discovered by the Times research. 6
Acid Rain
Unlike natural gas, coal and oil emissions can create acid rain, which occurs when sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere to form acid rain.
Acid Mine Drainage
The drainage from current and retired coal mines, known as Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), is another impact of coal mining and extraction on regional water quality. AMD is the most frequent non-point source pollutant in the Mid Atlantic region. When pyrite combines with air and water to produce sulfuric acid and dissolved iron, AMD is generated. This can result in red, yellow, or orange silt in streambeds, as well as the dissolution of other heavy metals, which are then released into surface and groundwater systems. AMD has harmed about 4,000 kilometers of waterways in the Mid Atlantic region. AMD has also killed fish and other aquatic species, as well as contaminated drinking water supplies. 7
Mountaintop Removal
West Virginia, Mountaintop Removal, and Coal Strip Mining Blaine O’Neill 2010 photo
In the United States, mountaintop coal mining has recently increased. This method entails clearing mountains of trees and topsoil, then using explosives to obtain access to coal buried beneath. Mountaintop clearance affects large swaths of deciduous woodland, increasing runoff and destroying habitat. Headwaters can be buried, aquatic habitats are harmed, and downstream water becomes extremely contaminated when valleys are filled with debris created by mountaintop removal. Organisms, ecological function, and human health are all threatened by this water pollution. 8
References
M.R. Harrison, T.M. Shires, J.K. Wessels, and R.M. Cowgill. 2. Harrison, M.R., T.M. Shires, J.K. Wessels, and R.M. Cowgill. 1997. Emissions of Methane from the Natural Gas Industry National Risk Management Research Laboratory of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
3. Kirchgessner, D.A., R.A. Lott, R.M. Cowgill, M.R. Harrison, T.M. Shires. Estimated methane emissions from the natural gas industry in the United States. Pages 1365-1390 in Chemosphere, Volume 35, Issue 6, September 1997.
“Modern Shale Gas Development in the United States: A Primer,” United States Department of Energy (DOE). April of that year. http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/minres/oilgas/US Dept Energy Report Shale Gas Primer 2009.pdf
ibid. 4.
6. Charles Duhigg, “Cleaning the Air at the Cost of Waterways.” The New York Times published an article on the 12th of October, 2009. The Energy Information Administration published this report in 2008. Energy Review for the Year. www.eia.doe.gov/aer
M.A. Palmer, E.S. Bernhardt, W.H. Schlesinger, K.N. Eshleman, E. Foufoula-Georgiou, M.S. Hendryx, A.D. Lemly, G.E. Likens, O.L. Loucks, M.E. Power, P.S. White, and P.R. Wilcock are among the authors of this paper. Science 327: 148-149, 2010. Mountaintop Mining Consequences.
Which fuel is referred to as “clean”?
Biogas, LPG, electricity, ethanol, and natural gas are examples of clean fuels that can be used for cooking and lighting. Furthermore, clean-burning stoves, solar cookers, and alcohol-fuel stoves are examples of cooking solutions that typically perform well in terms of lowering indoor air pollution.
What is the function of coal class 8?
1)It is used as a source of energy in both homes and industries. 2)It is used to generate energy at thermal power plants as a fuel. 3)It is used to produce coal gas, a vital industrial fuel. 4)It’s utilized in the production of coke.
Why are fossil fuels considered to be finite natural resources?
Fossil fuels are made up of the remains of live species that have died. Fossil fuel formation is a lengthy process that takes millions of years. As a result, the number of resources accessible for usage is limited, and human activities such as industrialization and rapid expansion are depleting them. As a result, fossil fuels are finite natural resources.
What are the benefits of CNG and LPG as fuels?
Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have the following advantages as fuels: I They can be burned immediately. (ii) They can be conveniently delivered via pipe lines. (iii) They are non-polluting fuels that do not produce smoke when burned. (iv) When burned, they produce a lot of heat energy.
Drilling and extraction:
Drilling a well can have a negative impact on animals and land use. Local ecosystems may be harmed as a result of this intervention: natural gas production disrupts migration patterns, pollutes rivers and streams, and causes dirt erosion and pollution. Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) can create earthquakes and overload local water supplies. This is a tactic used in the gas industry that an environmental body would aim to outlaw as soon as feasible.
Transportation:
The process of constructing infrastructure to carry gas from wells to natural gas power plants is equally harmful. From a natural perspective, pipes can promote habitat fragmentation and traverse crucial locations. Gas leaks from pipes can wreak havoc on the environment by contaminating groundwater levels (and even on the surface).
Burning and consumption:
Because it burns cleaner, natural gas is the most environmentally benign fossil fuel. Natural gas emits 50 to 60% less carbon dioxide (CO2) in power plants than standard oil or coal-fired power plants. It also releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere with a shorter life cycle. Combustion, on the other hand, emits methane and degrades air quality.
What are the benefits of using natural gas?
Despite the fact that burning natural gas emits greenhouse gases, it emits the least amount of carbon of any fossil fuel, resulting in less pollution. It is a natural bridge fuel because of this, as well as its high energy production. As a result, it is a natural successor to coal and petroleum. Because of its minimal carbon emissions, it has become a popular power source in both rich and developing economies.
Rapid and Efficient Transport
Natural gas becomes a liquid (LNG) when cooled to 161.5 C, filling only 1/600th of its original volume. This makes it easier to store and transport natural gas across large distances. Natural gas is relatively easy to transfer in its gaseous state when pipes are available. Natural gas supply lines are well-established, with maritime and land routes feeding a number of significant centres. During the decade, new hubs and transportation infrastructure will be built, enhancing the world’s gas supply’s speed and efficiency.
Versatile Energy Source
Natural gas also has the advantage of being versatile. It can power electricity grids, heating systems, household cooking appliances, and some automobiles as a gas or LNG. Natural gas’ adaptability contributes to its growing appeal and demand. This is especially true for developing countries, as natural gas plays an increasingly important role in emerging economies around the world.
Natural Gas is less Expensive than other Fossil Fuels
Natural gas is substantially less expensive to produce than other fossil fuels like oil or coal. It is utilized to generate electricity since it is less expensive.