Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is used very widespread today because it has a series of advantages when compared to oil derivatives or coal. However, this does not mean that it is a clean or renewable energy. However, for some, natural gas could be what is called “Transition energy“During the period in which polluting energies are suppressed and replaced by clean energy. In reality, it is an energy that presents both certain advantages and inconveniences, so, if you want to deepen What is natural gas and what is it forit is best to keep reading ecology and we tell you.
What is natural gas
Natural gas is a type of gas that occurs naturally When large amounts of plant matter are buried underground and remain thus, at a lot of pressure, for thousands of years. This process is similar to the one that gives rise to oil. In fact, it is so similar, that it is usually usual to find oil and natural gas deposits together, since, if there are conditions for a fuel, the most common is that they also occur so that the other in the same place exists.
This gas It can be extracted in a similar way to how it is done with oil and, although it consists of different gases, for the most part, its composition is formed by methanea gas that burns when setting on fire. In this way, it is a gas that can be burned to produce usable energy by the human being, which makes it located among the rest of fossil fuels, together with oil and coal.
What is the natural gas – the uses
Natural gas was initially used as a source of energy to illuminate cities through a public gas lighting system. Subsequently, with the arrival of electricity, this use disappeared, although not the exploitation of natural gas, which found utility in other processes. Thus, among the most current uses of natural gas we find the following.
Natural gas became one more fuel, using in a general way in the Electric power production In high performance plants, in the operation of residential and industrial boilersand even in Transportationsince today it can be used as a vehicle fuel such as cars or buses.
In broad strokes, it can be said that natural gas has the same applications as coal and, especially, oil derivatives, since it is a fossil fuel from which, burning it, useful energy is obtained for human needs.
What impact does natural gas have on the environment
Natural gas is a fuel that usually has a good reputation even though it is a fossil and polluting energy. This is because, when it burns, Free the CO2 atmospherethe main greenhouse gas. However, its good reputation comes from the fact that, in its combustion, a lower amount of this gas is released to the atmosphere when compared to oil derivatives and coal. In addition, another of the reasons that make it different from these fuels is that Does not emit sulfur dioxideone of the pollutant gases of the atmosphere in cities and the main gas causing gas.
This has made, for some, be considered as a transition energy. That is, an energy that, even being polluting, has a lower impact on the environment and could be used as a passage between oil and coal to the total implementation of clean energy. However, we must be clear that Natural gas is a fossil fuelwhich means that, regardless of being used as a transition energy, it constitutes a polluting and non -renewable fuel. Know more about this topic in this other ecology article about why natural gas is not a renewable energy.
On the other hand, although natural gas emits less CO2 to the atmosphere when it burns, it is common that, during its extraction, an important part of the gas itself is released to the atmosphere. This entails the increase in the presence of methane in the air, which is another of the most important greenhouse gases and causing climate change together with CO2. That is, although it is a less polluting energy than oil and coal, it is not a clean energy or has a zero environmental impact, as you want to make believe from some companies that sell it.
That said, it is important to know that it is an energy that, without being respectful of the environment, at least It is less harmful to the planet than the rest of fossil fuels. In this way, even if it is not the best alternative that we can opt for, it is an option that, until the energy transition based on clean and renewable energy sources is completely implanted, can reduce the impact of other much more aggressive fossil fuels with the planet.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is natural gas and what is it forwe recommend that you enter our category of non -renewable energy.
