NJCCC // technologies

Home Technologies Membership Events Successes Contact Links
Technologies > Natural Gas Natural gas is primarily composed of methane (CH4) and other hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, butane, etc.) that are removed prior to consumer use. Most natural gas is extracted from gas and oil wells, though some supplies can be found in biogas resources, like landfills. Recently, new technologies and exploration have led to significant discoveries of new natural gas reserves in the U.S. Natural gas offers significant environmental, energy security, and economic benefits. It produces lower tailpipe emissions and greenhouse gases than diesel or gasoline (mainly because methane is less carbon-rich than petroleum). Also unlike gasoline, natural gas is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-carcinogenic and presents no threat to soil, surface water, or groundwater. CNG, or compressed natural gas, is one form of natural gas used in transportation. CNG is made by compressing natural gas to a fraction of its volume. The CNG is then stored on-board in high-pressure (3600 psi) cylinders. CNG fuel generally costs about 20-60% less than petroleum fuels on an energy equivalent basis. A growing number of vehicles are becoming available in the US that run on CNG, others can be converted using EPA/CARB-certified conversion systems. CNG vehicles are widely available in many other countries across the globe. LNG, or liquefied natural gas, is another form of natural gas used in transportation. Natural gas is liquefied in order to store more energy on a vehicle in a smaller volume. LNG is produced by purifying and cooling natural gas to -260°F. It is particularly well suited to heavy-duty applications and offers great potential environmental and cost savings.
New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition // www.njcleancities.org // 2009

Technologies > Natural Gas

Natural gas is primarily composed of methane (CH4) and other hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, butane, etc.) that are removed prior to consumer use. Most natural gas is extracted from gas and oil wells, though some supplies can be found in biogas resources, like landfills. Recently, new technologies and exploration have led to significant discoveries of new natural gas reserves in the U.S. Natural gas offers significant environmental, energy security, and economic benefits. It produces lower tailpipe emissions and greenhouse gases than diesel or gasoline (mainly because methane is less carbon-rich than petroleum). Also unlike gasoline, natural gas is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-carcinogenic and presents no threat to soil, surface water, or groundwater.

CNG, or compressed natural gas, is one form of natural gas used in transportation. CNG is made by compressing natural gas to a fraction of its volume. The CNG is then stored on-board in high-pressure (3600 psi) cylinders. CNG fuel generally costs about 20-60% less than petroleum fuels on an energy equivalent basis. A growing number of vehicles are becoming available in the US that run on CNG, others can be converted using EPA/CARB-certified conversion systems. CNG vehicles are widely available in many other countries across the globe.

LNG, or liquefied natural gas, is another form of natural gas used in transportation. Natural gas is liquefied in order to store more energy on a vehicle in a smaller volume. LNG is produced by purifying and cooling natural gas to -260°F. It is particularly well suited to heavy-duty applications and offers great potential environmental and cost savings.