Natural gas

Natural gas (commonly refered to as gas in many countries, but note that this is also American and Canadian slang for gasoline) is a gaseous fossil fuel consisting primarily of methane. It is found in oil fields and natural gas fields, as well as—in smaller quantities—in coal beds.

Safety

In any form, a concentrated,rotten-egglike scent (such as mercaptan/ethanethiol) is deliberately added to the otherwise colorless and odorless gas, so that leaks can be detected by smell before an explosion occurs. In mines, sensors are used and mining apparatus has been specifically developed to avoid ignition sources (e.g. the Davy lamp). Adding scent to natural gas began after the 1937 New London School explosion. The buildup of gas in the school went unnoticed, and killed three hundred students and faculty when it ignited.

Related Topics:
Scent - Ethanethiol - Color - Odor - Smell - Explosion - Mine - Sensor - Davy lamp - New London School explosion

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Explosions caused by natural gas leaks occur a few times each year. Individual homes, small businesses and boats are most frequently affected when an internal leak builds up gas inside the structure. Frequently, the blast will be enough to significantly damage a building but leave it standing. In these cases, the people inside tend to have minor to moderate injuries. Occasionally, the gas can collect in high enough quantities to cause a deadly explosion, disintegrating one or more buildings in the process. The gas usually dissipates readily outdoors, but can sometimes collect in dangerous quantities if weather conditions are right. Also, considering the tens of millions of structures that use the fuel, the individual risk of using natural gas is very low.

Related Topics:
Home - Small business - Boats - Injuries - Weather - Risk

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Contrary to popular belief, natural gas and the odorant that's added to it,is non-toxic, though some gas fields yield 'acid gas' or 'sour gas' containing hydrogen sulfide. This untreated gas is toxic.

Related Topics:
Acid gas - Sour gas - Hydrogen sulfide

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Extraction of natural gas (or oil) leads to decrease in pressure in the reservoir. This in turn may lead to subsidence at ground level. Subsidence may affect ecosystems, waterways, sewer and water supply systems, foundations etc.

Related Topics:
Pressure - Reservoir - Subsidence - Ecosystem - Waterway - Sewer - Water supply - Foundation - Etc

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