Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is formed through a process of extracting natural gas from the earth and then significantly compressing it. It is not created synthetically but rather processed from naturally occurring gas.
The Journey of Natural Gas to CNG
CNG originates directly from the earth, primarily sourced from deposits found deep underground. The process involves several key steps that transform raw natural gas into its usable, compressed form for applications like vehicle fuel.
1. Extraction from the Ground
In its raw form, Compressed Natural Gas comes from the ground. Natural gas is typically discovered and extracted near oil wells during the process of drilling for crude oil. These underground reservoirs contain a mixture of hydrocarbons, including natural gas.
2. Separation from Oil
Once extracted, the raw material is a mixture of natural gas and crude oil. A crucial step in preparing the gas for compression is the separation process. The natural gas is carefully separated from the oil, ensuring a purer gas stream for subsequent processing.
3. Compression for Storage
After separation, the natural gas undergoes a vital transformation: compression. To make it suitable for storage and use in vehicles, the separated natural gas is compressed to 3,600 pounds per square inch (psi). This high-pressure compression dramatically reduces the volume of the gas, allowing a significant amount to be stored in the tanks of CNG vehicles.
Key Stages of CNG Formation
The journey from underground reservoir to usable CNG can be summarized as follows:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Extraction | Natural gas is sourced from the earth, often discovered during the drilling and extraction of crude oil from subterranean reservoirs. |
| Separation | The raw natural gas, once brought to the surface, is meticulously separated from any accompanying crude oil or other liquids to obtain a cleaner gas stream. |
| Compression | The purified natural gas is then subjected to high pressure, typically 3,600 pounds per square inch, to reduce its volume and enable efficient storage in specialized tanks. |
This multi-stage process ensures that the naturally occurring gas is refined and prepared into a dense, storable form suitable for various applications, particularly as an alternative fuel.
