us natural gas prices today

Warning: curl_setopt() [function.curl-setopt]: CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION cannot be activated when safe_mode is enabled or an open_basedir is set in /home/syntheti/public_html/tooktee.com/wp-content/plugins/affiliate-mage/classes/amazon.class.php on line 1

With the rise in oil prices and the scarcity of oil and gas, alternative fuels must be found to power our vehicles, and our society.  One alternative that is plentiful in the United States is compressed natural gas.  Compressed natural gas, or CNG, has been available for use as a fuel for vehicles worldwide for several decades.  With the ever increasing cost to produce gasoline and its limited supply, CNG is becoming more and more attractive as an alternative fuel for use in many types of vehicles. 

CNG is a fossil fuel along with diesel, propane, oil and gasoline.   Compressed natural gas  is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of an accident or spill.  CNG does, however, produce greenhouse gases, but because it is lighter than air, it tends to disperse quicker when it is released.  CNG vehicles show an average reduction in ozone-forming emissions of 80 percent compared to gasoline vehicles.

Many companies have begun to look at compressed natural gas as a fuel source for fleet vehicles, and some consumers are requesting that carmakers consider CNG as an alternative fuel source.  Widespread use of compressed natural gas is still years away.

Compressed natural gas consists mostly of methane and is drawn from gas wells or in conjunction with crude oil production.  CNG vehicles store the gas in high pressure cylinders at 3,000 to 3,600 psi.  Since the gas has no odor, an odorant is added for safety reasons.

How is the use of CNG better than gasoline?  Some of the reasons are listed below:

1.  The emissions given by CNG are lower than for gasoline engines–carbon monoxide is lower by 90 to 97%, carbon dioxide is lower by 25%, nitrogen oxide is lower by 35 to 60%, ozone production is lowered by  80% and nonmethane hydrocarbons are lower by 50 to 75% than gasoline.

2. There are fewer toxic and carcinogen pollutants emitted than for gasoline

3.  There are no evaporative emissions in dedicated CNG engines compared to gasoline or bifuel engines

4.  The octane rating for CNG is higher than for gasoline, which provides greater overall engine efficiency for the CNG vehicle.

5.  The CNG market is more stable than gasoline because it costs 15% to 40% less to produce CNG.

6.  Since the United States has extensive natural gas reserves across the country( in approximately 46 states),  the homeowner with natural gas service could possibly fill their cylinders at home with a home refueling appliance.

Although CNG is more commonly used in Europe and South America, the United States has plenty of capacity to take advantage of CNG’s availabilty and benefits for its population.  With the threat of gasoline going up in price at the slightest hint of increase in demand, Compressed Natural Gas is a good alternative to look at for today’s vehicles.

About the Author:

K. S. Jackson is a former power plant engineer with an interest in alternative energy and fuels. See http;//ksj1010.wordpress.com/ for further information.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Using Compressed Natural Gas as a Fuel Source for Vehicles

5 Pack Clip Strip Replacement Blades $4.99 Preserve replacement blades are pivoting, high-performance razor cartridges with flexible twin-blades and a lubricating strip to give you a close, comfortable shave. Preserve replacement blades have a premium coating to reduce friction and to help ensure their long-life. Preserve replacement blades fit preserve razor, personna acti-flexx, and gillette sensor….

What Is Natural Gas (All About Natural Gas) Natural gas offers an affordable and environmentally acceptable option to power people’s lives today. It will also help to meet the world’s rising demand for more, cleaner energy into the future. Shell is using advanced technology to open up new resources of natural gas. Cooling gas to liquid allows us to ship it to faraway markets and we are moving ahead to build the world’s first giant floating …

---