natural gas Archives – The Green Optimistic

Natural Gas Harnessing Could Help Harvest Clean Atmospheric Water

Guest Contributor — Wed, 11 Jul 2018 20:39:54 +0000

Scientists from the University of Texas, Austin, may have figured out a way to kill two environmental birds with one stone. Using waste products in the form natural gas from fracking to collect water stored in the atmosphere could help to reduce environmental pollution and provide clean water as sources become scarcer. So, where can […]

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Modified Four Stroke Engine Can Create Hydrogen From Natural Gas

Nicholas Say — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:21:11 +0000

Andrei Fedorov has figured out an amazing new way to use a four stroke engine. With some modifications he and his research team can make 100 year old design into a motor that makes Hydrogen Gas from Natural Gas. Professor Fedorov works at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and the results from a recent study were published […]

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Japan’s Emissions Slightly Rise, But Not From Nuclear Shutdown

Courtney Lepping — Mon, 26 Sep 2016 08:42:06 +0000

The earthquake that terrorized Japan in 2011 led to the shutdown of nuclear energy. There was an increase in CO2 emissions by 11.8 percent from 2010 to 2014. Could the reported increase be caused by the shutdown after the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant disaster? Sources claim the rise in emissions wasn’t much of a rise at […]

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Material Makes Natural Gas Storage Cheaper and Simpler

Michelle Lutz — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 15:26:45 +0000

Commercial vehicles have yet to be introduced to ANG technology, simply because the physics involved severely limits the range capable of these vehicles. However, Ford’s nearly 60,000 CNG’s sold since 2009 shows that we have to find a way to work with this technology; people are certainly interested. Finding a way to utilize this technology […]

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Big Hole in Russia Appearing Due to Climate Change

Benji Jerew — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 19:20:36 +0000

Thanks to ever-increasing amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that human activity is pumping into the atmosphere, climate change is increasing average temperatures globally. In the arctic, some point to disappearing ice shelves and methane plumes as proof that climate change is happening. In the permafrost of the Russian steppe, people point at […]

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Kenyan Teenager Builds a Human Poop Bio-reactor to Generate Biogas

Mila Luleva — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 13:32:08 +0000

Brilliant high school student designed a system that can generate clean energy using the content of his classmates’ poop. What is more, this same energy is then used in cooking of their lunch. Living in the so-called “developed” world makes us forget sometimes that things like clean tap water, toilet flush, or a lunch meal at […]

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Natural Gas Myths – Natural Gas is “Cleaner”

Benji Jerew — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 22:14:07 +0000

Compared to gasoline and diesel fuel, natural gas is definitely cleaner, and it’s fairly convenient to use in the same engines that fun liquid fuels, but what about lifecycle emissions? Thanks to hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and quick-and-dirty business practices, not to mention the near-absence of regulation, natural gas is booming in many parts of the […]

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Solar Power vs Natural Gas – H1 2014 Numbers are Surprising

Benji Jerew — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:39:59 +0000

As American energy-needs continue to increase, new energy sources are required to fill in the gap, among them solar power, wind power, natural gas, and coal, to name a few. Looking at the last fifty years of renewable energy in the United States, however, renewable energy, such as wind power and solar power, really only […]

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Arctic Methane Could Accelerate Climate Change

Benji Jerew — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 20:13:13 +0000

Dr. Jason Box, who knows the Arctic well, says that methane escaping from the ocean floor in that area could accelerate climate change beyond anything we’ve yet encountered. Climate change, for some, may refer to the simple greenhouse effect driven by the release of carbon dioxide (CO2). Unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as that. Far […]

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Fracking Methane Emissions Much Higher than Estimated

Benji Jerew — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:52:52 +0000

Hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking,” has been hailed by some as the key to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, but condemned by others because the practice can be highly polluting. Could it be, as well, that fracking is actually responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the natural gas reduces? Theoretically, because natural gas in […]

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Could Fracking Actually Be Good for Climate Change?

Benji Jerew — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 14:59:56 +0000

I’m having a hard time seeing how this is possible, but could fracking for natural gas actually be good for climate change? According to all research on the subject, climate change is being effected by a drastic increase in carbon dioxide emissions, specifically since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution was fired, […]

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Carbon-Neutral-ish Audi A3 G-Tron Initiates Sales in Germany

Benji Jerew — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 16:51:15 +0000

The Audi A3 G-Tron is a multi-fuel vehicle, which runs on regular gasoline or natural gas. Combined with the installation of an all-new e-gas plant, the car runs carbon-neutral, sort of. First, Audi A3, which is probably the cheapest way to buy into the Audi luxury brand, is equipped with a turbocharged dual-fuel 1.4ℓ i4, […]

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U.S. to Lose 60 Percent Of Clean Energy Production If Nuclear is Replaced By Natural Gas

Mila Luleva — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 13:03:35 +0000

The American Physical Society (APS) panel on public affairs released a report in which they expressed their strong concern over the plans of four major U.S. nuclear power facilities to shut down. The authors of the document warn that if utility companies do not extend the licenses of the power plants, and the government does […]

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New York City “Benefits” from Cheap Pennsylvania Natural Gas

Benji Jerew — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 17:55:04 +0000

Those who use natural gas for heating, cooking, and even transportation, generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional propane, gasoline, or diesel fuel. Thanks to the abundance of natural gas, these user also spend much less on fuel for the same tasks. Building owners in New York City, for example, have been upgrading their systems […]

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Mix Of Graphene Nanoribbons and Polymer Boosts Efficiency of Natural Gas Powered Cars

Mila Luleva — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 15:56:09 +0000

An international team of researchers from the U.S., Hungary, Slovenia and India, led by Changsheng Xiang from Rice University, produced thin films of graphene nanoribbons mixed with thermoplastic polyurethane polymer, which can be used to make natural gas tanks in vehicles much more impermeable and light, increasing their efficiency. The study, which appears in the latest […]

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Diesel-Natural Gas Hybrid Engines, Going the Distance

Benji Jerew — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 17:48:15 +0000

With the recent boom in natural gas production in the United States and other parts of the world, it is no wonder that engineers are looking to use the new fuel in expanded capacity. It’s not as if natural gas is new, as it’s been in use for at least a couple centuries, but production […]

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China’s Plans to Build Environmentally-Damaging Coal-Powered Natural Gas Plants

Adele Hall — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 04:02:33 +0000

China is currently in the process of planning synthetic natural gas plants, which are powered by coal. Though this could be good for China’s energy security, the results could be environmentally devastating. A new study by Researchers from Duke University have determined this process would produce seven times the greenhouse gas emissions, consume 100 times […]

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Hybrid Diesel Natural Gas Engine Developed with 39.6% Efficiency – ETH Zurich

Benji Jerew — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 18:37:37 +0000

The typical natural gas engine is essentially a modified gasoline engine with slightly different ignition mapping to account for natural gas’ lower energy content. Natural gas engine conversions are fairly commonplace in places where natural gas is abundant [and cheap!], but efficiency often suffers due to poor programming. For example, in Perú, where the average […]

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What is Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking), Anyways? [Video]

Benji Jerew — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 17:05:14 +0000

As petroleum reserves extracted by typical methods begin to run dry, many opportunistic petroleum companies have turned to hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas located in more difficult locations. Natural gas hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has become more common in the last decade or so, and a buzzword in political, economic, and environmental conversations, alike. […]

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Natural Gas Fracking Linked to Increased Seismic Activity

Benji Jerew — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 16:34:17 +0000

Natural gas extraction techniques vary, but fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, has been linked to water pollution, methane emissions, and even increased seismic activity [read: Earthquakes]. Fracking has turned out to be very controversial. Fracking is an extraction process that involved injecting pressurized fluids into the shale layer of stone containing natural gas or petroleum. The […]

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Yo-Auto Crossover, Russia’s Multi-Fuel Hybrid Vehicle

Benji Jerew — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 17:00:03 +0000

We haven’t looked for innovation in Russia for a long time. At times, automobile technology seems to have simply stopped at some moment in the 1970’s, but recent hybrid vehicle innovations in Russia could be a change for the better. Yo-Auto in Russia already has a coupe, hatchback, and truck that feature a unique take […]

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Copenhagen Accord, Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reduction, in Trouble in US

Benji Jerew — Wed, 29 May 2013 17:05:36 +0000

When it comes to carbon dioxide emissions, coal-burning plants are pretty much the dirtiest in existence. Even outfitted with modern emissions-reduction measures, coal plants still emit a heinous amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Many expected the recent boom in US natural gas production [in spite of its own special problems] to eclipse coal […]

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Russia Pushing Natural Gas Vehicles More Than Hybrid Technology

Benji Jerew — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:40:31 +0000

What would make you consider an alternative-fuel vehicle, like natural gas or hybrid, over a convention gasoline-powered vehicle? There are generally two reasons. First, the price of gasoline keeps going up. The more it costs to drive a mile to work, the less you have in your pocket at the end of the week. Second, […]

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Innovative Solar Power Process Maximizes Energy Content of Natural Gas

Leigh Hutchens — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 03:34:59 +0000

The Energy Department plans to use the sun’s heat to increase the energy content of natural gas and is preparing to test a new way for solar power to make electricity. Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are conducting extensive testing they hope will reveal a process that might reduce the amount of natural […]

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Natural Gas Bus and Truck Fleet to Expand in the EU

Benji Jerew — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 16:24:15 +0000

Research indicates that by 2018, natural gas trucks and buses will account for 3.4% and 12.7%, respectively, of the entire fleet in the European Union. Natural gas vehicles, especially heavy duty trucks and buses, are gaining momentum in the marketplace. Extraction of natural gas and tightening emissions regulations are making these vehicles both more attractive […]

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Japan Poised to be the Leader in the Next Energy “Game Changer”

Leigh Hutchens — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 02:40:26 +0000

Japan, a country deep in the throes of economic expansion, is in need of more and more energy to meet growing demands. To counter this need, Japan is now extracting natural gas from an offshore deposit of methane hydrates. This is the first time these production methods have been used and tested in deep sea […]

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Carbon Emissions More Likely to be Curbed during Obama’s Second Term

Leigh Hutchens — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 07:20:03 +0000

President Obama still has an uphill battle with Congress on limiting carbon emissions, but he may be able to achieve more progress on curbing emissions by using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation. Due to reelection and shifting political agendas and economic conditions, Obama may actually be in a better position now to endure the confrontation […]

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Pike Research – Natural Gas Truck Sales to Increase

Benji Jerew — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:11:12 +0000

While petroleum-sourced fuel prices continue to rise, changes are necessary in order to mitigate them. One way is to improve fuel economy, including engine design and partial or full electrification. These methods are helpful, but with the increasing availability of natural gas, perhaps a change in fuel is worth looking into. Since compressed natural gas […]

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Leakage Outweighs the Benefits of Natural Gas Usage

Benji Jerew — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:04:50 +0000

Natural gas, for some, may be the solution to curbing US petroleum imports and reducing greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions. Natural gas is being used in power plants, which are much cleaner than coal-fired plants, as well as in vehicles. Increasing the number of vehicles that run on compressed natural gas [CNG] might seem like a […]

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Dow’s Methane Challenge Seeks Transformation of Greenhouse Gas into Useful Chemicals

Leigh Hutchens — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 06:33:35 +0000

2012 finds the United States tapping into its own natural gas reserves like never before and even producing enough natural gas for heating and power generation. Experts expect this trend to continue as reserves embedded in share are gradually uncovered and are excited by this projection since it burns cleaner than coal and can be […]

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Global Alternative Energy Sector in a Depression Due to Natural Gas

Leigh Hutchens — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 05:58:05 +0000

The global alternative energy sector is in a depression. Alternative energy investments aren’t looking so good, and the private and public sectors around the world have lost billions of dollars. According to experts, hydraulic fracturing, or fracking as it is called, is responsible for collapsing green energy initiatives globally because it has greatly reduced the price of […]

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Natural Gas Production Methane Emissions Study to be Completed in January

Benji Jerew — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:42:57 +0000

The general public may be only be familiar with carbon-dioxide [CO2] as a greenhouse gas [GHG], but GHGs include many more gases, including naturally occurring water vapor [H2O], ozone [O3], nitrous oxide [N2O], and methane [CH4]. While naturally occurring in small amounts, methane is being released on an unknown scale as a by-product of natural […]

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BMW Looks to Power Carolina Factory With Landfill-Originated Hydrogen

Ovidiu Sandru — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:07:57 +0000

Since 2003, BMW's South Carolina manufacturing plant has been using landfill-originated methane to power more than half of its equipment - that's old news. The good news is BMW is seeking a way to transform that methane to hydrogen gas, for a cleaner production process.

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GE Expands Worldwide Presence With Hybrid Solar/Wind/Gas Power Plant in Turkey

Ovidiu Sandru — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:13:23 +0000

As we've mentioned in a previous article, General Electric is thinking of expanding its presence worldwide. Their plans now include a 530 megawatt hybrid power plant in Turkey.

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California Egg Farm Installs Chicken Poo-Powered Fuel Cell

Mircea Sandru — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 19:04:11 +0000

FuelCell Energy, one of the companies promoting alternative energy sources, announced the sale of a chicken poo-powered fuel cell to an egg farm in California. The 1.4-megawatt fuel cell system will produce enough energy to supply the farm's operations.

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Breakthrough Carbon Capture Using Ionic Liquids

Cristi — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:48:44 +0000

Founded by scientists from the University of Colorado, ION Engineering has brought in sight a new technology that uses ionic liquids - nonvolatile molten salts - to capture carbon emissions.

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Natural Gas To Be Produced by Coal Eating Microorganisms

Cristi — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:13:11 +0000

Luca Technologies started up a project to produce natural gas from coal. The idea is to use microorganisms inside the coal layers of earth to change coal into methane.

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