Due to its environmentally friendly nature and competitive price, natural gas has become a widely used alternative fuel in many countries. Natural gas is used in various prominent sectors such as electricity generation, alternative fuels for vehicles, consumption in heat-intensive industrial processes…. Below are some applications of natural gas in the economy and daily life.
1. About Natural gas
1.1. What is Natural gas?
Natural gas is a fossil fuel energy source with the main component being a mixture of gasses that are rich in hydrocarbons: methane (CH4), Ethane (C2H6), Propane (C3H8), Butane (C4H10), and other Alkanes. Natural gas is commonly found alongside oil deposits beneath the earth's surface and deep ocean floors, with the largest reserves located in Russia, the Middle East, and to a lesser extent, in certain regions of Asia and Europe. Natural gas is colorless and odorless, and when burned, it produces fewer CO2 emissions compared to other fossil fuels such as coal and oil.
1.2. Types of Natural Gas
After being extracted, natural gas is transported to processing plants through pipelines for purification and treatment. At these processing plants, impurities are removed, and the natural gas is processed by either compressing it at high pressure or liquefying it at deep sub-zero temperatures. Currently, two widely used forms of natural gas fuels are:
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Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is produced by cooling natural gas to a temperature of approximately -162oC using a specialized gas processing system. This cooling process transforms the gaseous state of natural gas into a liquid state and storage in large cryogenic tanks.
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Compressed natural gas (CNG) is produced by compressing natural gas to a pressure of 200 - 250 barg, which increases its storage capacity and reduces transportation costs. At the point of consumption, CNG is passed through a Pressure Reducing Unit (PRU) to reduce the pressure in two stages (Stage 1: down to 60 barg, stage 2: down to 2-7 barg), enabling the supply of gas to customers as per their demand.
2. Applications of natural gas in industry and daily life
Natural gas is widely traded and used in the global market, meeting diverse usage needs. Some prominent applications of natural gas include:
2.1. Using CNG for transportation and logistics
Natural gas vehicles that use CNG can reduce emissions by up to 20% of CO2, 30% of NOx, and 70% of SOx compared to oil-based fuels. Using CNG engines can also reduce hydrocarbon emissions by up to 50% compared to gasoline engines. Natural gas vehicles can reduce noise levels by up to 50% compared to diesel-powered vehicles, contributing to noise pollution reduction. From an economic perspective, vehicles using CNG can save nearly 40% compared to those running on gasoline or diesel.
In Vietnam, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Binh Duong have implemented CNG bus routes, bringing numerous outstanding benefits in terms of safety, economic efficiency, and environmental friendliness.
Read more: Natural gas and impact of using natural gas on the environment
2.2. Developing LNG power generation
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is mainly used as a fuel for power plants and industrial consumers in many countries around the world, and it is expected to be developed in the Vietnamese market by 2025. Developing LNG electricity generation brings various benefits such as competitive pricing, stable and abundant supply, and lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fuels like coal and petroleum.
Read more: What are the difference between liquified natural gas and natural gas?
2.3. The field of production and processing
Natural gas is extensively used in various production processes, serving as both a raw material and a heating energy source. Some applications of natural gas in the industry in Vietnam include Glass, Sheet Metal, Steel, Cement, Brick, Ceramics, Ridge-tile, Paper, Food, electronics, Hot mix asphalt, Chemicals, textiles, and many other industries.
Natural gas has become an important energy source for many countries, offering a plethora of superior benefits in terms of economic efficiency and environmental friendliness. Vietnam is actively promoting the use of natural gas in diverse sectors, including industrial consumption, commercial applications, and residential purposes. As one of the leading natural gas suppliers in Vietnam, with expertise in all three types of products: LPG, CNG, and LNG, Gas South ensures a stable fuel supply and provides customers with the option to choose the most cost-effective fuel type at any given time to optimize fuel costs for each customer.