Global warming is continuously on the rise. Climate change is making governments take serious decisions all around the world. The main focus of both scientists and governments is to find cleaner and safer alternatives to conventional and fossil fuel energies.
In such times, all of us need to know everything about natural resources and their history. It is the best way to understand what’s happening with our planet and how we can play our part to protect it.
Therefore, we’ve tried to explain the history of natural gas. Give it a read and find out what you didn’t know before:
What is Natural Gas?
Just like other fossil fuels, natural gas also falls in the same category. It’s a mixture of hydrocarbon gas. Methane is the most abundantly present in natural gas. Other compounds like alkanes, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, etc. are also present in varying amounts. We use natural gas as a fuel and to make materials and chemicals. Compressed natural gas (often abbreviated as CNG) is where the gas is compressed to less than 1% of its original volume in special storage containers. This allows natural gas to be transported and stored easily, safely, and efficiently. Compressed natural gas produces CO2 and water vapor when it burns. It reduces carbon monoxide emissions by over 95%. This is why it’s considered one of the cleanest of all fossil fuels.
Brief History of Natural Gas in Canada
1859 was the year when natural gas was first discovered in Canada. While today we all know that natural gas is a valuable source of energy in the country, this wasn’t always the case. In earlier days, oil was the sole source of energy in Canada and many other countries in the world.
After the discovery of natural gas in Canada, commercial development to use it as an energy source was still a challenge. For example, removing impurities from the gas stream, efficiently transporting gas without waste and leakage, and making it safe for residential and industrial use were among some of the biggest challenges.
Now, after years of research and hard work, efficient and reliable techniques have been developed for the efficient use of natural gas. Researchers are still working to make it safer for the environment than it already is when compared to other sources of energy.
Interesting Facts about Natural Gas
- Natural gas becomes liquid when cooled to -260 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The natural gas we dig out of the earth today was formed about 100 million years ago.
- Natural gas is entirely odorless in its natural state.
- In about 500 BC, the Chinese discovered places where natural gas seeps to the surface. They formed crude pipelines from bamboo shoots to transport the gas, using it to boil seawater. It separated the water from the salt, making the water palatable and providing salt to season food.
- Natural gas was first used for cooking in Persia.
- Britain was the first country ever to commercialize natural gas.
- Natural gas costs less than electricity all around the world.
- Natural gas is a cleaner and safer option to produce electricity.
- It is the cleanest fossil fuel of all
- 9 out of 10 chefs prefer to cook on natural gas stoves than electric stovesWhile propane gas is heavier than air, natural gas is lighter
