Southern African Natural Gas Advisory Service Service

Aviation

Research and development work has focused on the use of LNG and hydrogen to power aircraft in some countries. A research program in Russia suggests that it will be possible to have LNG civil and transport aircraft

In the future that can drastically reduce the cost of fuel while also drastically reducing hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions.      

Transport, Aviation, Fertilizers, Synthetic Fuels

In many horticultural areas natural gas greenhouse heaters are also widely used both as a source of warmth for the propagation and growth of pants: and, the provision of carbon dioxide that aides plant growth.   

Gas Powering Transport

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a cleaner fuel for vehicles than either petrol or diesel. Clean burning natural gas emits far lower levels of air pollutants and CNG vehicles are less costly to operate and maintain. In the USA, Brazil, India, Pakistan, Argentina and Iran the use of CNG for public transport and private vehicles is widespread and increasing. Gas vehicle fuelling stations are also being constructed in Europe and many road haulage vehicle fleets and buses are now using CNG. This trend is likely to continue as users of energy for transport move to natural gas to obtain lower operating costs and other benefits.        

Petrochemicals, Synthetic Fuels and Fertilizers

Natural gas is also a vital feedstock for many petrochemical plants and the production of synthetic liquid fuels, various chemicals and other products.

Hydrogen can be made from natural gas tp become an invaluable input for the chemical industry. Natural gas is also a major feedstock for the manufacture of ammonia that is used to make fertilizers. Ethane is used as a feedstock for the petrochemical industry to produce plastic and fibres for synthetic products. Propane and Butane are also used in upstream petrochemical plants to produce liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).  Carbon dioxide once extracted from natural gas is condensed into a solid called ‘dry ice’ used in a variety of applications including the preservation of food, soft drinks and beer.