Context:
Recently, India’s largest gas utility GAIL (India) Limited commissioned the country’s 1st SSLNG unit at its Vijaipur complex.
Small-Scale Liquefied Natural Gas (SSLNG):
- Refers to the liquefaction of natural gas and its transportation using unconventional means in a significantly smaller-scale operation than the usual large-scale processes
- Liquefaction – Process in which natural gas is cooled below its boiling point, removing most of the extraneous compounds found in the fuel.
- Utility – Supplies LNG in liquid form to industrial and commercial consumers, with options for regasification or direct use as fuel
Natural Gas:
- An odorless, gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons predominantly made up of methane (CH4)
- Presently in India the share of natural gas in energy basket is 6.7%.
- The Government has set a target to raise the share of natural gas in energy mix to 15% in 2030.
- Significance –
- Far less polluting than conventional hydrocarbons like coal and oil and also cheaper than oil
- A key transition fuel in India’s journey towards green energy and future fuels.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vs. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG):
| Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) | Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) |
| A gaseous product of petroleum and 1st product that is separated during the distillation process | A natural gas converted to liquid form through liquefaction |
| An odorless, tasteless and non-toxic gas | A colorless, odorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive gas |
| Mainly composed of methane gas and contain small amounts of other hydrocarbons | Made by removing most of the extraneous compounds in the fuel |
| Used in short distance vehicles | Used for long distance vehicles |
Related articles: BioCNG, GOBARdhan Scheme
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Natural gas occurs in the Gondwana beds.
2. Mica occurs in abundance in Kodarma.
3. Dharwars are famous for petroleum.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2010 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct:
Gondwana is famous for coal fields not for natural gas.
Statement 2 is not correct:
Dharwar (Karnataka) has other minerals like iron, manganese, not petrol.
