The Green Factor
Amongst fossil fuel, Natural Gas in the most Environment Friendly Fuel for various reasons. Data from www.naturalgas.org gives facts and figures to support this:
- Combustion of Natural Gas releases very small amounts of Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxides, hardly any Ash or Particulate Matter, and lower levels of Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, and other reactive Hydrocarbons.
Combustion of Natural Gas Produces the least amount of Pollutants and thus is more suitable for the environment.
Below is a comparison between the different fossil fuel emission levels [Pounds per Billion Btu of Energy Input]
| Pollutant | Natural Gas | Oil | Coal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Dioxide | 1,17,000 | 1,64,000 | 2,08,000 |
| Carbon Monoxide | 40 | 33 | 208 |
| Nitrogen Oxides | 92 | 448 | 457 |
| Sulfur Dioxide | 1 | 1,122 | 2,591 |
| Particulates | 7 | 84 | 2,744 |
| Mercury | 0 | 0.007 | 0.016 |
| Source: EIA – Natural Gas Issues and Trends 1998 | |||
- The Combustion of Natural Gas also produces less Carbon Dioxide as compared to other fuels and thushelps in the Reduction of the Greenhouse Effect.
Natural gas produces about 30% less Carbon dioxide than Oil, and about 45% less Carbon Dioxide than Coal upon combustion.
- In addition, since Natural Gas emits less amounts of nitrogen oxides, and hardly any particulate matter, it does not contribute significantly to Smog Formation, which is becoming a major concern in large cities today.