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natural gas
A mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons occurring in reservoirs of porous rock (commonly sand or sandstone) capped by impervious strata. It is often associated with petroleum, with which it has a common origin in the decomposition of organic matter in sedimentary deposits. Natural gas consists largely of methane and ethane, with also propane and butane (separated for bottled gas), some higher alkanes (used for gasoline), nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and sometimes valuable helium. It is used as an industrial and domestic fuel, and also to make carbon-black and chemical synthesis. Natural gas is transported by large pipelines or (as a liquid) in refrigerated tankers.
Related categories
• INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY
• ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
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