Gaseous fuels are increasingly used in industrial as well as domestic uses. Gaseous fuels have very high calorific value and comparatively higher thermal efficiency than solid and liquid fuels. Burning is clean and no smoke or ash is produced by gaseous fuels. It undergoes rapid combustion and has high risk of hazards.
Advantages and disadvantages in using gaseous fuels
Advantages
1. Many of gaseous fuels have high calorific value.
2. More uniform heating is possible due to random movement of gases equally in all parts of the vessel.
3. Gaseous fuel burn instantaneously, and thus rate of combustion can be controlled easily.
4. Transportation is difficult, but it can be made through pipe lines over wide area.
5. There is no smoke or ash and the working place remains clean.
6. A high temperature can be attained as the rate of combustion is high.
7. The atmosphere for oxidation or reduction can be maintained easily. It is readily miscible with air and combustion takes place rapidly and efficiently.
Disadvantages
1. Gaseous fuels are highly inflammable and causes fire hazards.
2. Gaseous fuels large storage volumes.
3. Most of the gaseous fuels are derved from solid and liquid fuels, and hence they are costly.