Oil vs Gas
Oil and gas are fossil fuels. Fuels are in high demand today, and it has become a very important factor in regulating world’s economy. Hydrocarbons contain so much energy which is released when burning, and this energy can be utilized to carry out lot of our daily functions. When hydrocarbon fuels are completely burning, carbon dioxide and water is produced. The increased consumption of petroleum fuels has caused a lot of environmental problems too.
Release of high level of carbon dioxide gas which is a green house gas causes global warming. Carbon monoxide, carbon particles and other harmful gases are also released during the incomplete burning of fossil fuels. So, necessary steps should be taken to minimize the environmental pollution caused by these. Further, petroleum is a fossil fuel which should be used sustainably.
Petroleum is a mixture of hydrocarbons. This contains hydrocarbons with various molecular weights. These hydrocarbons may be aliphatic, aromatic, branched or unbranched. Petroleum is commonly used to indicate fossil fuel in gas, liquid and solid state. Hydrocarbons with a lower molecular weight (ex: methane, ethane, propane, and butane) occur as gases. Heavier hydrocarbons like pentane, hexane and so on, occur as liquids and solids.
Oil
Oil is also a mixture of hydrocarbon which can be found as liquid in room temperature. Oil can be in many forms as mineral oil, crude oil, etc. Except the gas component in the petroleum, the rest of the mixture is known as crude oil. It is a liquid, and alkanes, cycloalkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons are mainly found in crude oil. There are other organic compounds containing nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and other metals.
The appearance of crude oil may differ due to the composition of it. Usually it is black or dark brown in color. Crude oil is refined, and its components are mainly used as fuels for automobile, machinery, etc.
Gas
Gas (LPG) is used as a fuel in vehicles as well as in domestic appliances. Gas, which is used in vehicles, is mainly a mixture of propane and butane. It can be liquefied under pressure, hence stored as a compressed liquid, and it is burnt as a dry vapor in the engine.
Gas is non- corrosive, free from lead and has a high octane rating. In order to use gas in vehicles, they have to be converted to either dual fuel or dedicated gas operation. In dual fuels, vehicle can operate by petrol or gas alternatively. A separate gas tank should be installed in the vehicle along with the petrol tank. LPG and petrol have slightly different burning characteristics but the engines can be set up to use both fuels alternatively without a problem.
Dedicated gas vehicles don’t have a petrol fuel system, and therefore, operate using gas only. This conversion is costly but, in the long run, it saves money, because the gas price is much lower than petrol. All the vehicles cannot be converted to gas, and for the installation of the gas tank, a considerable space is needed which are some of the drawbacks.
Oil Vs Gas
- Compared to oil, gas gives a lot of energy.
- Gas burns clearly and doesn’t produce smoke.
- Gas is cheaper than oil.