Natural gas is used for multiple reasons which include heating homes, providing heat for stovetops and barbecues, and generating electricity. The gas differs from other nonrenewable resources in that it is colorless, shapeless, and odorless.
Chemical Content of Natural Gas
Natural gas is primarily formed out of methane, yet is also formed from other gasses including ethane, propane, butane, CO2, nitrogen, and oxygen. When delievered to homes it is pretty much just pure methane, with a chemical called mercaptan added onto it. Mercaptan is the rotten egg smell that is usually inhaled when around natural gas.
The interesting thing about natural gas in particular is that when burned (unlike coal, oil, or any other nonrenewable source) it emits fewer harmful products or chemicals in the air. It is considered the cleanest-burning fossil fuel used to this day, emitting 30% less CO2 into the air than oil and 45% less than coal.
(Wind- and solar-powered systems are reliably backed up by natural gas when wind doesn’t blow and when the sun doesn’t shine)
(Wind- and solar-powered systems are reliably backed up by natural gas when wind doesn’t blow and when the sun doesn’t shine)