NATURAL GAS as an alternative source of energy for meeting global energy demands

Author: Iloka Benneth Chiemelie
Published: 9th-November-2014

1.      Introduction

As the global population continues to increase alongside increased level of industrialization, with natural sources of energy (such as coal and petroleum) prone to depletion, the need for alternative sources of energy becomes vital. Thus, this research will discuss NATURAL GAS, as an alternative source of energy for meeting global energy demands. 

2.      Natural gas an alternative source of energy

Natural gas can be produced either form gas wells or through crude oil production. It basically comprises of methane (CH₄) and does contain traces of other elements like ethane, nitrogen, propane, carbon dioxide, water vapour, helium, and hydrogen sulphide (Stone, 1997). However, methane remains the major compound of natural gas as it normally makes up 90% of the gas. Normally, natural gasses can be compressed and used as compressed natural gas (CNG) (Ganesan, 1999).

In terms of its benefits, natural gas is safer than pure fossil fuels like gasoline and it doesn’t contaminate groundwater if spilled. It is a cleaner fuel and as such considered to be an environmental friendly alternative to other fuels. However, since compressed natural gas are largely available from fossils they are non-renewable (Shashikantha, 1999; Kato et al., 1999; Wayne et al., 1998).

3.      Accessing natural gas

In order to make natural gas a significant source of energy supply, a number of activities will have to occur before such becomes a possibility. Such activities include:

a)      Investment in exploration and development – this is the major activity that will eventually make natural gasses significant source of energy supply. Investments need to be made in the area of exploration and development in order to increase overall supply and availability of natural gas (Semin, 2008). This will ensure that demands are effectively met, and usage significantly increased in the process.

b)      Engine redesign – majority of our automobile engines are built on diesel and petro setting, which doesn’t allows for such motors to be run on natural gas. Thus, engines need to be redesigned in such a way that they can run on natural gas (providing room for reduced use of other environmentally hazardous fuels) (Semin, 2008).

4.      The possibility of natural gas becoming a significant source of energy

The possibility of natural gas becoming an effective source of energy is very low and can be considered almost impossible. The reasons are:

a)      It is gotten from fossil fuels – majority of the natural gas come as by-products of fossil fuel. Thus, in order to ensure that natural gas is made an effective energy source, more fossil fuels needs to be burned as well. This is less likely to become a possibility because countries will be less interested in such as considering that it is a new innovation, as fossil fuels (such as petrol, diesel, and gasoline) has bene proven to be reliable sources of energy.

b)      It is non-renewable – since this is the case, it is also prone to depletion and will end wherever or whenever fossil fuels ends. Thus, this reduces intention to invest in this source of energy.

c)      It will require huge financial and manpower investment – as discussed above, it will require engine design in majority of the motors used across the world. This is the highest barrier as it is virtually impossible for such shit to be made, especially when considering the other factors above.

5.      Pros of natural gas

A number of benefits can be gained from using natural gas and they include:

a)      It is cheaper than other sources of energy such as gasoline and diesel.

b)      It has an inherent low level of air pollution and emission.

c)      It has lower level of greenhouse gas emission.

d)     It makes use of extended petroleum supplies.

e)      There are large quantities of fuel in the world, and these fuels can be used to source its continued existence and supply (Semin, 2008).

6.      Challenges of natural gas

The biggest challenge of natural gas is that the set of best compromise or alternatives to be forgone is not clear as the optimum air-fuel ration does change with impact from operating condition and fuel properties (Semin, 2008). Additionally, it will require numerous changes (such as engine redesign) which will bring about huge financial implication for such development.

7.      Conclusion

From the above analysis, it is clear natural gas is a good alternative source of energy and if carefully harnessed can help solve the issue of emission and global warming. However, the chances of natural gas replacing current energy sources can be considered low because of issues with optimum ratio of alternative to be forgone and required system redesign that will bring about the needs for hefty financial and manpower investment. However, if it becomes a reality, it does have huge benefits that comes along with it.

8.      References

Ganesan, V., (1999). Internal Combustion Engines Second Edition, Tata McGraw-Hill, New Delhi.

Kato, Kichiro., Igarashi, Kohei., Masuda, Michihiko., Otsubo, Katsuji., Yasuda, Akio., Takeda, Keiso., and Sato, Toru., (1999). Development of engine for natural gas vehicle, SAE Technical Paper 1999-01-0574.

Semin, R., A. (2008). A Technical Review of Compressed Natural Gas as an Alternative Fuel for Internal Combustion Engines. American J. of Engineering and Applied Sciences 1 (4): 302-311, 2008.

Shashikantha, P., (1999). Spark ignition producer gas engine and dedicated compressed natural gas engine-Technology development and experimental performance optimization, SAE Technical Paper 1999-01-3515.

Stone, Richard., (1997). Introduction to Internal Combustion Engines 2nd Edition, SAE Inc., USA.

Wayne, W. Scott., Clark, Nigel. N., Atkinson, Christopher. M., (1998). A parametric study of knock control strategies for a bi-fuel engine, SAE Technical Paper 980895.