The organic origin of Natural Gas explains why it is made of hydrocarbons (compounds of hydrogen and carbon). The principle ingredient of Natural Gas is the hydrocarbon compound called methane. In many Natural Gas deposits, methane makes up 80 to 90 percent of the gas.

Natural Gas may contain other small hydrocarbon molecules such as ethane, propane, butane, pentane, and hexane. Besides these hydrocarbons, it may also comprise such inorganic compounds as nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide.

LPG, The Cool Cousin

At very cold temperatures, Natural Gas changes into liquid. For example, when chilled to extreme levels, propane and butane compounds in Natural Gas will condense and liquefy. A propane-rich liquid is a useful fuel and marketed as liquefied petroleum gas, or widely known as LPG.

Its liquid nature allows LPG to be stored and delivered easily, especially to areas that cannot be reached by gas pipelines. Its many popular uses include for cooking and powering public and recreational vehicles.

As Good As It Gets

Natural Gas is as close as you can get to an ideal fuel. It requires minimal processing before use and has the highest calorific value (a measurement of the amount of energy contained in the gas) of any fossil fuel. Due to its gaseous state, it mixes with oxygen easily for more efficient combustion.

Since Natural Gas contains no mineral, no ash residue is produced upon combustion, making it a cleaner fuel by far. By producing relatively few pollutants, it also helps to reduce emissions that can contribute to the greenhouse effect.