The city is a pioneer in introducing Compressed Natural Gas as fuel for public vehicles such as buses and autorickshaws. Later individuals using four-wheelers also opted for it as is the cleanest of all fossil fuels.
A comparative chart shows the emission levels of various types of fuel. Methane being the primary ingredient, the main by-products of combustion of the natural gas are carbon dioxide and water vapour, the compounds we exhale. Coal and oil, the other popularly used fossil fuels, are composed of much more complex molecules, with a higher carbon ratio and higher nitrogen and sulphur contents.
Extraction
The drilling and extraction process at Lingala in Krishna district is also very clean, according to AP Pollution Control Board officials.
On the eastern coast, the availability of natural gas is abundant.
But its proper management and supply have been a problem with political parties not being able to reign in the stakeholders.
At Lingala, the natural gas production is insignificant. Proper supply is not being maintained as a number of companies set up in the Krishna, West Godavari, and East Godavari district for power generation and other allied activities have come to a standstill.
This is increasingly becoming an important fuel in the generation of electricity and it is providing an efficient, competitively priced fuel.
The increase in the use of natural gas allows for improvement in the emissions profile of the generating companies.
Combustion of natural gas, used in automobiles, generation of electricity, industrial boilers, and other applications, emits lower levels of NOx, CO2, and particulate emissions. The emission of SO2 or mercury is nil.
It can be used in place of, or in addition to, other fossil fuels, including coal, oil, or petroleum coke, which emit significantly higher levels of these pollutants.
Transport sector
Natural gas can be used in the transportation sector to cut down the high levels of pollution from petrol and diesel-powered cars, trucks, and buses.
Compared to traditional vehicles, those operating on CNG have shown a reduction in carbon monoxide emission of up to 90 to 97 per cent and carbon dioxide emission of up to 25 per cent.
Nitrogen oxide emission can be reduced by 35 to 60 per cent. Other non-methane hydrocarbon emissions could be reduced by as much as 50 to 75 per cent.
Both LPG and natural gas can be used within a modified spark-ignition (petrol) engine. Now-a-days, car manufacturers are coming up with all variants.
These gases make ideal fuels for combustion engines due to their high octane rating and low levels of volatile organic compounds, and they can readily mix with air prior to combustion.
Engine life
These characteristics result in a more complete combustion, which helps reduce exhaust emissions.
The clean burning characteristic of gas also reduces engine stress, therefore extending engine life.
