Even though gasoline and natural gas have the same per gram energy content when combusted.
2007-03-22 16:51:08 · 5 answers · asked by Keb W 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Not sure exactly what you mean by "higher energy fuel" - it is not terminology used in petroleum or chemical engineering
They have different heat contents (energy) per gram or pound. Gasoline is about 20,000 BTU/pound (it varies a bit between summer and winter blends). Methane (80-90% of natural gas) is 23,879 BTU/pound. Seeing as how someone else listed a very different value, I'll cite my source: Perry's Chemical Engineering Handbook, Table 9-30 "Combustion Constants".
Natural gas used in an internal combustion engine like a car can allow for a higher compression ratio (which Honda does use). But a dual-fuel vehicles (like Ford's versions) use a lower, gasoline-compatible compression ratio so mileage on natural gas isn't as good as it could be.
Natural gas offers less energy density AS STORED AND TRANSPORTED, because you need either a high-pressure tank (lots of steel) or to liquify it to very low temperatures (refrigeration equipment, insulation, etc). So a compressed natural gas (CNG) car often has a range of only 250 miles whereas gasoline powered cars use less weight and volume to store gasoline good for 400-500 miles. The natural gas ITSELF weighs less, but the packaging is much more elaborate.
2007-03-25 07:23:07 · answer #1 · answered by David in Kenai 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gasoline is not nessecarily higher energy. Depending on the Iso-octane levels, however, it can be more efficient than natural gas. The numbers you see at the gas pump on the numbers is the percentage of Iso-octane in comparison to Heptane.
2007-03-22 23:55:44 · answer #2 · answered by Shant J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If one simply looks at the molecule chain of both side by side...you will see that Gasoline has many more carbon atoms....and those carbon atoms have more hydrogen atoms.....it is a longer chain hydrocarbon molecule and thus requires more energy to ignite....thus releasing much more
chemical energy in terms of oxidation and heat than CNG.
2007-03-23 00:29:25 · answer #3 · answered by tito_swave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not true. The heat of combustion for gasoline is 20,200 Btu/lb. HOC for natural gas is only 1,200 Btu/lb.
2007-03-22 23:55:55 · answer #4 · answered by qwiff_hunter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The process by which it is derived.
2007-03-22 23:58:49 · answer #5 · answered by dwilmoth822 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋