Repsol YPF

Natural gas applications

Natural gas stands out amongst all energy sources as an efficient, clean and competitive commodity. It is also a highly versatile energy form which can be used in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors alike. In the home, natural gas heats quickly, does not require storage before use and is the least-pollutant fuel, maximising comfort. Moreover, trade and industry also benefit from the quality of the natural gas flame, which is regular and free from impurities.

In the home

Natural gas can be used in the home for cooking, washing and drying, and to obtain hot water, air conditioning heating and cooling. In the garden, natural gas can be used for cooking barbecues and heating patios and terraces.In the kitchen, the most modern cooking appliances are cookers with glass ceramic tops. Not only clean and easy-to-use, they also have the economic advantages of using natural gas.

And traditional gas cookers with gas rings are now equipped with the most modern appliances: electronic ignition and systems which cut off the gas if the flame goes out. Gas ovens can be programmed and are self-cleaning and self-lighting. The steam from the water in the combustion gas also prevents food from becoming dry. Natural gas is also used by washing machines and dishwashers, which employ the water heated by their boiler or water heater, substantially saving both time and money. Driers can be installed independently or over the washing machine. Their speed and efficiency allow saving of up to 60% in each load.

Natural gas heaters produce hot water instantly and without limit, functioning only when hot water is needed and thus ensuring maximum savings. Storage tanks can be used to store hot water for when it is needed at various points at the same time and in large quantities.
Natural gas can also be used to heat the home. Mixed heating boilers (supplying heating and hot water) can be used in one single home (individual) or for an entire building or residential area (collective). Such boilers can be adjusted and programmed to provide the comfort needed at any moment.

Self-standing wall radiators produce instant heating only in the room where it is required and do not consume interior air. Natural gas fireplaces have a real flame, do not produce ashes or embers and ignite automatically.Natural gas offers maximum economy for air conditioning in the home, with modular units which can be adapted to practically all requirements.In the garden, barbecues burning natural gas offer maximum cleanliness, as they produce no ash or other solid waste. Outdoor heaters generate a covering of warm air allowing terraces and gardens to be used even during cold periods.

In trade and industry

In industry, natural gas can be used in all heat or cold generation processes, in combined heat and power generation cogeneration and in power generation.Natural gas combustion allows better regulation of the temperature of combustion chambers in a wide range of equipment. It can also be applied directly in the treatment of innumerable products.
As a fuel, natural gas is used by industrial sectors which require clean, efficient, economic thermal energy: furnaces, foundries, heat treatment, kettles, etc. It is also used to heat large spaces, such as sports facilities and industrial or commercial units.
Natural gas can also be used for air conditioning and to generate cold for buildings and industrial cold stores, or to produce ice for skating rinks.
Another modern application with enormous future potential is cogeneration. Cogeneration using natural gas produces electrical or mechanical energy and heat for use in factories, hospitals and hotels or large residential areas. Cogeneration using natural gas greatly reduces pollutant emissions.
Natural gas is being used more and more for electricity generation at conventional or combined cycle power stations. This process gives even greater savings and decreases pollution levels.
The high hydrogen content in natural gas makes it the most commonly-used raw material for the production of ammonia for fertilisers and other petrochemical applications.