So what is natural gas? Well, it's a combustible, gaseous mixture of simple hydrocarbon compounds that is usually found in deep underground reservoirs formed by porous rock. Natural gas is a fossil fuel composed almost entirely of methane although it does contain small amounts of other gases ethane, propane, butane, and pentane. Methane is composed of a molecule of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.
Natural gas may be categorized by its composition. It can be a dry gas containing few liquid hydrocarbons. It can be a wet gas that's heavy in hydrocarbon liquids (sometimes containing water vapor). It can be a sour gas containing hydrogen sulfide. And it can be a sweet gas which may have a trace of sulfur but no hydrogen sulfide.
Important Facts About Natural Gas
- It has a flammability range of five to 15 percent. That means that any
mixture containing less than five percent or greater than 15 percent natural
gas to air would not support combustion.
- It has an absence of color, odor, and taste. Mercaptan is added to natural
gas during distribution to give natural gas a distinct unpleasant odor. This
acts as a safety device by allowing it to be detected in the atmosphere.
- It has a hydrocarbon molecular structure, which means that almost all
components found in natural gas contain only the elements hydrogen and
carbon.
- It's nontoxic in nature.
- It burns with a blue flame when completely combusted which produces water
and carbon dioxide.
- It has a boiling point of -258 degrees Fahrenheit.
- It has a heating value of 800 to 1200 BTUs per cubic foot.
