Fracking's Positive Side Effects

[Rick Rowlands]

Some landfills, including the mahoning landfill already generate electricity from its own methane.

[Towntalk]

Methane is important for electrical generation by burning it as a fuel in a gas turbine or steam boiler. Compared to other hydrocarbon fuels, burning methane produces less carbon dioxide for each unit of heat released. At about 891 kJ/mol, methane's heat of combustion is lower than any other hydrocarbon but the ratio of the heat of combustion (891 kJ/mol) to the molecular mass (16.0 g/mol, of which 12.0 g/mol is carbon) shows that methane, being the simplest hydrocarbon, produces more heat per mass unit (55.7 kJ/g) than other complex hydrocarbons. In many cities, methane is piped into homes for domestic heating and cooking purposes. In this context it is usually known as natural gas, which is considered to have an energy content of 39 megajoules per cubic meter, or 1,000 BTU per standard cubic foot.
Methane in the form of compressed natural gas is used as a vehicle fuel and is claimed to be more environmentally friendly than other fossil fuels such as gasoline/petrol and diesel. Research into adsorption methods of methane storage for use as an automotive fuel has been conducted.

   

[Towntalk]

Landfills across the length and breadth of this great country of ours are starting to mine their landfills for methane which is being used to power homes, so the fracking industry should take this technology for the same end. More cash revinue for the industry, and cheaper electric bills for the consumer. A win win deal all way around I'd venture to say. But then the Susie's of this world would have tizzy fits over such a sensable idea.