On this page, you can find information on how our alternative energy source is created, how it works, the costs, pros and cons, etc.
How It's Created(1)
Natural Gas is created through ancient pressurized plants and small marine animals, buried under sand and rock. The pressure eventually caused the organisms to transform into oil.
How It Works(2)
A common use for natural gas is electricity. To generate electricity from natural gas, primary methods are gas turbines and boiler power plants. Another use is generating heat.
- Gas Turbines:(3) "As hot combustion gas expands through the turbine, it spins the rotating blades. The rotating blades perform a dual function: they drive the compressor to draw more pressurized air into the combustion section, and they spin a generator to produce electricity." (1)
- Boiler Power Plants: "Electricity is generated by heating water to produce steam which, via a turbine, powers a generator." (2)
- Generating Heat: "The most common furnace is a forced-air central heating system that uses a natural gas burner to heat air. Cool air is drawn into the system, moved into a heat exchanger where it is warmed by the gas burner and then circulated by a blower or fan through the home's duct work." (3)
Cost To Install(4)
- In about 2-4 hours, a plumber can install a gas line for $90-$260 ($45-$65 an hour).
- The national average for installing/repairing a gas pipe is $496.
- Approximately, each foot of line costs $15-$25.
Pros and Cons(5)
Pros:
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Cons:
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Interesting Facts(6)
- Natural gas was formed more than 100 million years ago deep within the earth.
- A total of (about) 2.1 million miles of natural gas pipelines are in the United States.
- 62,000,000+ families in the United States use natural gas in their homes on a daily basis.
Works Cited
www.ct.gov/pura/cwp/view.asp?a=3363&q=414224(1)
https://corporate.vattenfall.com/about-energy/non-renewable-energy-sources/natural-gas/how-it-works/(2)
https://www.energy.gov/fe/how-gas-turbine-power-plants-work(3)
https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=51&t=8(4)
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pros-and-cons-of-natural-gas.php(5)
http://www.alliantenergykids.com/EnergyBasics/AllAboutNaturalGas/000519(6)
https://corporate.vattenfall.com/about-energy/non-renewable-energy-sources/natural-gas/how-it-works/(2)
https://www.energy.gov/fe/how-gas-turbine-power-plants-work(3)
https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=51&t=8(4)
https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/pros-and-cons-of-natural-gas.php(5)
http://www.alliantenergykids.com/EnergyBasics/AllAboutNaturalGas/000519(6)