Fuel gas

Fuel gas is a combustible gas, which is mainly or widely used as a fuel. The most common fuel gas is the natural gas today. Combustion gases, which are mainly used as fuel, are sometimes also called " force throttle".

  • 3.1 Transport and storage
  • 3.2 combustion
  • 3.3 Security

Fuel gas species

The German Association of Gas and Water divides the combustion gases in the gas following families:

Properties

Composition

Most burning gases consist of the following main components in different combinations:

  • Hydrogen H2
  • Gaseous and volatile hydrocarbons, especially lower alkanes (methane CH4, ethane C2H6, propane C3H8, etc.)
  • Carbon monoxide CO (toxic, therefore undesirable in public networks! )
  • Air components: nitrogen N2
  • Oxygen O2
  • Carbon dioxide CO2
  • Hydrogen sulphide
  • Ammonia
  • Volatile vapors of oils and solvents
  • Other inert gases, in particular noble gases (helium, argon, etc.)

Physical and thermal properties

Probably the most important characteristic of a fuel gas is - as with any fuel - the calorific value, or calorific value. Moreover, in a fuel gas but still a number of other very important variables that play in solid or liquid fuels hardly matters: density, Wobbe index, dew point, explosive limits, etc.

Application

Transport and storage

Fuel gas is distributed on a large scale through pipelines and pipe networks, so are conducted energy sources. The public networks are under the control of the gas supplier.

A storage occurs in gas holders or underground caverns. In smaller quantities, especially for special applications and for mobile use, liquefied fuel gas (especially LNG) is used, which can be stored and transported in pressurized tanks.

Combustion

Combustion gases are typically combusted in gas burners which enable a structurally predetermined mixed with air and thereby ermöglichent residue combustion.

Harmful ingredients, particularly hydrogen sulfide, are already removed by the supplier.

Under ordinary circumstances arise in sum arising from combustion produces fewer air pollutants and ash than in solid or liquid fuels. This makes the combustion gases to particularly valuable fuels.

Security

Because of the significant risk of explosion in the use of fuel gases are special safety regulations. In Germany, these are mainly the relevant technical rules and the rules of the DVGW, above all the provisions for gas installation and the technical rules for LPG.

  • Fuel gas
  • Fuel gas technology
Product (chemistry) Exhaust gas Combustibility Energy storage Biogas Landfill gas Coal gas Mondgas Blast furnace gas Coal#Gasification Mining Inertgas Heat of combustion#Lower heating value Heat of combustion Flammability limit Ash (analytical chemistry)
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