Disadvantages & Advantages of Natural Gas

Natural gas is an energy and fuel source that is made up primarily of methane gas. Environmentally and economically, it is debatable just how positive and negative the use of natural gas is in a society. There are a few key advantages and disadvantages to take into account when looking at the overall importance of natural gas.

Clean Fuel

The most positive aspect of natural gas is its cleanliness. It is the cleanest fossil fuel available. Carbon dioxide and water vapor are the only vapors emitted by natural gas burning. Especially compared to oil and carbon, which emits high levels of nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide, natural gas is more of a help to the environment (in this sense) than it is a harm. But it still doesn't clean the air. The vapors it emits are not as bad as most other emissions, but they're not as clean as the air itself.

Economical

In the United States, it is estimated that we have our own natural gas sources for the next 100 years. Since this doesn't require any overseas trading with other countries' energy supplies, the wealth of the natural gas resource is here for the harvesting. This is a new advantage however, because natural gas was not always considered such an economic choice in energy policy.

Greenhouse Effect

The major disadvantage of natural gas is its contribution to the greenhouse effect. While it is not the most dangerous emission (e.g., oil or man-made gases), it still has a damaging effect on our air. When it is burned, it produces carbon dioxide. And even when it is not burned, the processes of producing, storing and transporting natural gas require the use of energy.

Explosive

A disadvantage that can easily be avoided is the possibility of natural gas exploding. When near natural gas, fires should never be started. If a flame touches natural gas, it could result in huge explosions. For the most part, taking precautions when working with or around natural gas should prevent the possibilities of explosions (e.g., no smoking), but accidents do happen.

Misconceptions

Natural gas is often associated with cars, but the fuel that gas stations have at the pump (even though we call it "gas") is not natural gas. Natural gas is also entirely different from oil.

Natural gas is not a liquid, it is what its name indicates, a gas. It becomes 'wet' when hydrocarbons are removed from the molecules. What many people don't realize is that natural gas is what many power plants use to create electricity.

References

• Insight and Intelligence
• Pros and Cons

Resources

• Natural Gas