Monthly Archives: March 2010

Adam Cloch Natural gas, how about zero carbon emissions

Posted on March 5, 2010 by | 2 Comments


One of the advantages of natural gas is it emits less carbon than any other fossil fuel. Because of this fact, many have touted the benefits of using natural gas in power generation. Well, MIT Postdoctoral associate Thomas Adams and Chemical Engineering Professor Paul I. Barton have taken it a step further. They’ve developed a system which produces power from natural gas without actually burning it, thus producing no carbon emissions.

If you’re into the scientific terminology, here’s the abstract from their paper:

A unique electricity generation process uses natural gas and solid oxide fuel cells at high electrical efficiency (74%HHV) and zero atmospheric emissions. The process contains a steam reformer heat-integrated with the fuel cells to provide the heat necessary for reforming. The fuel cells are powered with H2 and avoid carbon deposition issues. 100% CO2 capture is achieved downstream of the fuel cells with very little energy penalty using a multi-stage flash cascade process, where high-purity water is produced as a side product. Alternative reforming techniques such as CO2 reforming, autothermal reforming, and partial oxidation are considered. The capital and energy costs of the proposed process are considered to determine the levelized cost of electricity, which is low when compared to other similar carbon capture-enabled processes.

The system also produces a stream of clean water, and almost pure carbon dioxide, making it easy to harness for sale to cement manufacturers now developing a use for it.Apparently the system doesn’t take new technology, but is just a new way to combine solid-oxide fuel cells. They’ve already developed a working model on a lab-sized 250 KW demonstration plant – about at 1/1000th scale of a typical 250 MW plant. Once the system has been proved at this small size it can easily be scaled up, and could be ready for commercialization in a few years.

You can get the complete details Science Direct or read a great scan at CleanTechnica.  There’s a lot of great research and development going on in natural gas right now. If you know of any new projects happening, make sure to leave us a comment so I can check it out.

Posted in Natural Gas | Tagged | 2 Comments

Adam Cloch The real natural gas message in a climate crunch

Posted on March 3, 2010 by | Comments Off on The real natural gas message in a climate crunch


I thought you might be interested in the following letter to the editor Dave Parker submitted to The Hill regarding the coal-to-natural-gas conversation. 

Dear Editor:

Your recent article, “Natural gas lobby steps up to challenge coal” (3/1/10), wrongly insinuated that a “fight” is brewing between natural gas and coal trade associations in Washington over impending climate legislation.

Rather, the natural gas industry has good news to share about the environmental benefits of natural gas and is rightly using any venue possible to spread this positive message.

Americans have indicated that they care deeply about reducing carbon in our atmosphere.  That’s why the American Gas Association (AGA), a trade association that represents 195 local energy companies that deliver natural gas throughout the United States, is working to educate lawmakers and consumers about the clean, efficient properties of natural gas.

AGA believes Americans have a right to know that natural gas emits 45 percent less carbon dioxide than coal and 30 percent less than heating oil.  Based on these numbers alone, it’s clear that natural gas can and should play a major role in reducing carbon emissions in the United States.  While these carbon reductions can best be achieved through direct use of natural gas in the home (i.e. heating and cooking), major carbon reductions can also be achieved from natural gas-fired power plants, as was mentioned in your article.

AGA is a proponent of fuel diversity in the United States.  Our country must rely on a mix of fuels if we are to achieve energy security and freedom from dependence on foreign oil.

As a clean-burning, domestically abundant, low carbon fuel, natural gas is “here and now” and is ready to help our country reach its energy goals.  In fact, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu visited AGA offices last month and clearly stated that natural gas is a necessary component of any truly renewable energy program.

Without engaging in “fights” or petty exchanges, AGA will continue to inform lawmakers about our industry’s good story and about the possibilities of natural gas in a new energy future.

Let me know if you think we’re on the mark in the comments below.

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Adam Cloch Let’s work together to protect our seniors

Posted on March 2, 2010 by | Comments Off on Let’s work together to protect our seniors


Rep. Ron Klein (D-FL) today penned a thoughtful and forceful argument to keep dividend tax rates low.  Klein notes that many of the seniors in his district rely on their dividend income to pay the bills and make ends meet.  Klein also puts on record his support for taking action to enact the president’s proposal to make permanent the 15 percent maximum tax rate for low and middle income Americans. Learn more about keeping dividend tax rates low at www.DefendMyDividend.org.  Head on over to the Hill to read Representative Klein’s editorial.

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Adam Cloch Natural Gas Market Indicators

Posted on March 1, 2010 by | Comments Off on Natural Gas Market Indicators


Expectations for natural gas supply and demand balance in the United States for 2010 seem to be clearly rationalized in the futures market where price stability is the current order. Said another way, two months does not make a trend, however, it does appear that gas prices have entered a period of relative stability despite cold, then warm, then cold weather, production freeze-ins and political uncertainties – factors that have previously influenced natural gas price volatility.

In addition, analysts appear to be quickly turning from the fortunes of the 2009-2010 winter heating season and factoring in potential storage net injections, as well as natural gas into power generation for the coming summer, as part of the forward view of 2010 natural gas markets.

Visit this link to download the full Natural Gas Market Indicator. Topics covered include: Reported Prices, Weather, Working Gas in Underground Storage, Natural Gas Production, Rig Counts, Pipeline Imports and Exports, and LNG Markets.

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