Question

Define natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and liquefied natural gas (LNG). What three countries have most of the world’s natural gas reserves? What are the major advantages and disadvantages of using conventional natural gas as an energy resource? What are three sources of unconventional natural gas and what major problems are related to the use of these resources?

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is treated below.

Explanation:

Natural gas: Natural gas is not used in its pure form; it is processed and converted into cleaner fuel for consumption. It is a fossil fuel composed almost entirely of methane, but contain small amounts of other gases, including ethane, propane, pentane and butane. It is a combustible,  gaseous mixture of simple hydrocarbon compounds, usually found in deep  underground reservoirs formed by porous rock. Natural gas is mainly used as fuel for generating  heat  and electricity.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG): Liquefied Petroleum Gas is a byproduct of natural gas and oil extraction and crude oil refining . At room temperature,  liquefied petroleum gas is a colourless and odourless gas which consists generally of butane (C4H10) or propane (C3H8) or a mixture of both.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG): Is natural gas that has been liquefied for ease of transport or storage. It is refrigerated to a very low temperature (-162 Celsius). At this temperature it becomes an odourless, non-toxic liquid that can be safely transported over long distances.

Three countries that have most of the world’s natural gas reserves

1. Russia
2. Iran
3. Qatar

Major advantages of using conventional natural gas as an energy resource:

• It is less expensive when compared to other fossil fuels.
• It is safer and easier to store when compared to other fossil fuels

Major disadvantages of using conventional natural gas as an energy resource:

• It costs more to recover the remaining natural gas because of flow, access, etc.
• It is not a renewable source.
• it is a combustible material, It must be handled with care.
• It does not contribute to greenhouse gases.

Three sources of unconventional natural gas :

1. Tight Gas
2. Shale Gas
3. Coalbed Methane

Major problems related to the use of Tight Gas

• When Hydrofluoric acid is used to release tight gas in reserves it potentially an issue simply because the substance is so dangerous. A spill or a leak could harm workers and pollute groundwater for uses.

Major problems related to the use of Shale Gas

• Risk of ground and surface water contamination.
• Have impacts on air quality.

Major problems related to the use of Coalbed Methane

• The development of coalbed methane will result to soil disturbance from construction of wells, roads, and the associated pipeline and electric power rights-of-ways.
• It has impact on wildlife.