The product
Natural gas
Hydrocarbons are fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, whose constituent atoms of carbon and hydrogen are combined in varying proportions. Natural gas is a mixture of gas consisting primarily of methane plus small quantities of ethane, propane, butane, pentane and non-combustible gases. For this reason, natural gas is, in Italy, often simply called methane. The chemical formula of methane is CH4, with each carbon atom combining with 4 hydrogen atoms.
Natural gas is found underground, often alongside oil. It is extracted from fields and transported in its natural state along pipelines to its destination. Natural gas may also be transported in liquid form (LNG) in special ships. For this type of transport the gas must be cooled to -160°C at just over atmospheric pressure, thus reducing its volume nearly 600 times.
Natural gas is used as fuel for cooking, household heating, industrial processes and power generation.
Natural gas is environmentally friendly. During fossil fuel combustion, carbon dioxide, water and heat are the main by-products. Natural gas is the fossil fuel which has the most hydrogen and the least carbon. Its combustion thus produces the least carbon dioxide (CO2), the gas responsible for the greenhouse effect. Natural gas is consequently the most suitable fossil fuel for mitigating the greenhouse effect. Natural gas also contains virtually no sulphur nor dusts.
Hydrocarbons are fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, whose constituent atoms of carbon and hydrogen are combined in varying proportions. Natural gas is a mixture of gas consisting primarily of methane plus small quantities of ethane, propane, butane, pentane and non-combustible gases. For this reason, natural gas is, in Italy, often simply called methane. The chemical formula of methane is CH4, with each carbon atom combining with 4 hydrogen atoms.
Natural gas is found underground, often alongside oil. It is extracted from fields and transported in its natural state along pipelines to its destination. Natural gas may also be transported in liquid form (LNG) in special ships. For this type of transport the gas must be cooled to -160°C at just over atmospheric pressure, thus reducing its volume nearly 600 times.
Natural gas is used as fuel for cooking, household heating, industrial processes and power generation.
Natural gas is environmentally friendly. During fossil fuel combustion, carbon dioxide, water and heat are the main by-products. Natural gas is the fossil fuel which has the most hydrogen and the least carbon. Its combustion thus produces the least carbon dioxide (CO2), the gas responsible for the greenhouse effect. Natural gas is consequently the most suitable fossil fuel for mitigating the greenhouse effect. Natural gas also contains virtually no sulphur nor dusts.
