Direct Supply of Natural Gas in Industry

A Brief Overview of Natural Gas Characteristics, Storage, and

Composition

Introduction
Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is widely used in various industrial sectors, such as power
generation, heating, chemical production, and transportation. Natural gas is composed mainly of
methane, but also contains other hydrocarbons and non-combustible gases. The composition of
natural gas varies depending on the source and the processing methods. Natural gas is a finite
and depleting resource, and its supply and demand are influenced by many factors, such as
geopolitics, economics, environmental regulations, and technological innovations. This
document provides a brief overview of the direct supply of natural gas in industry in many
countries, the characteristics of natural gas, its storage methods, and its composition by volume.

Direct Supply of Natural Gas in Industry

The direct supply of natural gas in industry refers to the delivery of natural gas from the
production fields to the end-users without intermediate processing or transportation. This can
reduce the costs and emissions associated with natural gas processing and transportation, and
increase the efficiency and reliability of natural gas supply. However, the direct supply of natural
gas in industry also poses some challenges, such as the need for high-quality natural gas, the
availability and accessibility of natural gas sources, the safety and security of natural gas
pipelines, and the coordination and regulation of natural gas markets. The direct supply of
natural gas in industry is practiced in many countries, such as the United States, Canada, Russia,
China, Australia, and some countries in the Middle East and Africa.

Characteristics of Natural Gas

Natural gas is a colorless, odorless, and flammable gas that has a high calorific value, meaning
that it produces a large amount of heat when burned. The calorific value of natural gas depends
on its composition and pressure, and it ranges from 31 to 52 MJ/m3. Natural gas has a low
density and a high compressibility, meaning that it can be stored and transported in large
volumes under high pressure. Natural gas has a low carbon-to-hydrogen ratio, meaning that it
produces less carbon dioxide and other pollutants when burned compared to other fossil fuels.
Natural gas also has a high octane number, meaning that it can be used as a fuel for internal
combustion engines with high efficiency and low emissions.
Storage Methods of Natural Gas
Natural gas can be stored in various ways, depending on the purpose, location, and availability of
storage facilities. Some of the common storage methods of natural gas are:

 Liquefied natural gas (LNG): Natural gas can be liquefied by cooling it to -162°C,
reducing its volume by about 600 times. LNG can be stored in cryogenic tanks or
transported by ships or trucks to distant markets. LNG can be regasified by heating it to
ambient temperature and pressure before use.
 Underground storage: Natural gas can be stored underground in depleted natural gas
reservoirs, aquifers, or salt caverns. These storage facilities can provide large volumes of
natural gas at low costs and can help balance the seasonal fluctuations of natural gas
demand and supply.
 Compressed natural gas (CNG): Natural gas can be compressed to high pressures,
ranging from 200 to 250 bar, and stored in steel cylinders or containers. CNG can be used
as a fuel for vehicles or distributed by pipelines to nearby customers.

Composition of Natural Gas by Volume

The composition of natural gas by volume varies depending on the source and the processing
methods of natural gas. However, the typical composition of natural gas by volume is as follows:

 Methane: 70-90%
 Ethane: 5-15%
 Propane: 1-5%
 Butane: 0.1-2%
 Pentane: 0.01-0.2%
 Hexane: 0.001-0.02%
 Heptane: 0.0001-0.002%

Other combustible components that can be present in trace quantities are:

 Ethylene: 0-0.1%
 Propylene: 0-0.1%
 Butylenes: 0-0.1%
 Hydrogen: 0-0.1%
 Carbon monoxide: 0-0.1%
 Hydrogen sulfide: 0-0.1%
 Ammonia: 0-0.1%

Inert gases that can be present in natural gas are:

 Nitrogen: 0.1-10%
 Carbon dioxide: 0.1-10%
 Helium: 0-0.5%
 Argon: 0-0.1%
 Xenon: 0-0.01%