Compressed Natural Gas Essay

Is compressed natural gas the most effective way to fuel busses and cars?

Dana Jackway

Recent studies have proven that compressed natural gas is the safest, most efficient way of fueling busses. CNG has low particle emissions because of its low carbon to hydrogen ratio, which also results in the production of less carbon dioxide. Compressed Natural gas is an alternative to gasoline and diesel. CNG is produced by compressing natural gas to less that 1 percent of its volume and pressure. It is formed by the natural transformation of organic materials over millions of years. It is most commonly sourced from drilled natural gas wells or in conjunction with crude oil manufacturing.

CNG, consisting of about 90% methane, is an odorless, colourless

It is a non-polar atom and has a tetrahedral structure. It is the simplest and lightest hydrocarbon, even lighter than air. Methane gas has a boiling point where it will condense into a liquid, meaning it has attractive forces. This allows CH4 molecules to attract and condense. The forces between these molecules are called London dispersion forces. This occurs because methane forms temporary dipoles, which attract other temporary dipoles producing intermolecular

‘CNG costs about 50% less than gasoline or diesel, emits up to 90% fewer emissions than gasoline’. CNG can reduce the cost of fuel by about 50% while supplying the same amount of power. In the US, reservoirs have revealed large deposits of natural gas providing us with a supply for the next 100 years. This supply is growing rapidly as recent breakthroughs in technology have provided access to reserves that were once too difficult to source.

Unlike gasoline and diesel, CNG poses no threat to land or water, as it is nontoxic. It is a relatively safe fuel, in the event of a spill, it disperses rapidly, minimizing the risk of ignition. CNG is a much smarter option that diesel or gasoline, hence it becoming increasingly popular, especially in busses.

As expected, with this significant breakthrough, comes controversy. It is argued that if CNG leaked it could contribute greatly to climate change. Methane is only slightly soluble in water and under certain conditions doesn’t biodegrade. Gas in the water can created possible risk of explosion if a large amount were to accumulate. Like gasoline, Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel and cannot be considered a renewable resource. While there are a considerable amount of natural gas reserves worldwide, it will eventually run