Basics of Natural

Gas
Natural Gas

 Natural Gas is a gaseous fossil fuel that has methane

as its primary component. It formed by the
decomposition of organic compounds in the
absence of oxygen under the earth.
 Dead plants and animals get sediment over a
period of time in the porous sedimentary rocks
 The action of chemical and micro-biological
process on formerly living matter under condition of
elevated temperature and pressure appear to result
in natural gas as the ultimate degradation products.
Types of Gas

 Biogenic gas is formed at shallow depths and low

temperatures by the anaerobic bacterial
decomposition of sedimentary organic matters.
Biogenic gas consists almost entirely of methane
 Thermogenic gas is formed at deeper depth by
thermal cracking of sedimentary organic matter into
hydrocarbon liquid and gas. Thermogenic gas can
also contains significant concentration of ethane,
propane , butane & other heavier hydrocarbons .
Range Composition of Natural
Gas
Raw Gas Composition
Pipeline Composition
Properties of Natural Gas

 Natural Gas is colorless, odorless clean gas, It is

lighter than Air so tend to dissipate into the
atmosphere .
 Methane has lower explosive limit of 5% and an
upper explosive limit of 15% in air .Explosive
concerns of compressed natural gas are almost
non-existent due to escaping nature of the gas.
 Processed natural gas is, in itself, harmless to human
body
Properties of Natural Gas

 Appearance - Clear, burn with Blue

Flame
 Density &Phase - 0.717 kg/ m3, (Gaseous)
 Boiling Point - (-) 161.6 degree C
 Flash Points - (-) 188 Degree C
 Explosive Limit - 5% to 15% in air
 Flame Temp. - 2148 Degree C
Properties of Natural Gas

 Combustion
 During the combustion (burning) of natural gas the
hydrogen atoms combine with oxygen in the air to
form water vapour. If the combustion is complete, the
carbon atoms combine with oxygen to form carbon
dioxide (CO2). If the combustion is incomplete, the
carbon atoms combine with oxygen to form carbon
monoxide (CO), which is toxic.

Combustion of natural gas is the complete burning of the
gas in a steady flame. The pressure of the gas, the air-gas
mixture, and the venting of the equipment must be
controlled properly for controlled combustion. All normal
uses of natural gas involve controlled combustion.
Properties of Natural Gas

 Flash Point
 Flash point refers to the lowest temperature at
which a concentration of natural gas forms an
ignitable mixture with air that is sufficient to form a
flame when a source of ignition is present. The flash
point for natural gas is about -250°F.
 Auto-ignition Temperature
 Auto-ignition temperature refers to the lowest
temperature that a flammable gas-air mixture will ignite
from contact with a heat source without a spark or
flame. The auto-ignition temperature for natural gas is
about 1100°F.
Properties of Natural Gas
Components of Natural Gas

 Nitrogen
 Carbon Di Oxide
 H2S
 Carbonyl Oxide
 Carbonyl Sulphide
 Methane
 Propane
Components of Natural Gas

 Isobutane
 N-Butane
 Pentanes & Heavier Hydrocarbon
 Mercaptans