Deutsch: Gas / Español: Gas / Português: Gás / Français: Gaz / Italiano: Gas
Gas is one of the four fundamental states of matter (the others being solid, liquid, and plasma). A pure gas may be made up of individual atoms (e.g. a noble gas or atomic gas like neon), elemental molecules made from one type of atom (e.g. oxygen), or compound molecules made from a variety of atoms (e.g. carbon dioxide).
A gas mixture would contain a variety of pure gases much like the air. What distinguishes a gas from liquids and solids is the vast separation of the individual gas particles. This separation usually makes a colorless gas invisible to the human observer. The interaction of gas particles in the presence of electric and gravitational fields are considered negligible as indicated by the constant velocity vectors in the image.
In the maritime context, "Gas" can refer to several things. Here are some examples:
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Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): This is a type of gas that is cooled to a very low temperature and converted into a liquid for storage and transportation. LNG is becoming increasingly popular as a fuel for ships, as it is cleaner and more environmentally friendly than traditional bunker fuel.
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Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): LPG is a mixture of propane and butane gases that are also liquefied for storage and transportation. It is often used as a fuel for cooking and heating, but can also be used as a fuel for ships.
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Compressed Natural Gas (CNG): CNG is natural gas that has been compressed to a high pressure. It is often used as a fuel for vehicles, but can also be used for ships.
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Ethylene: Ethylene is a gas that is used in the production of plastics and other chemicals. It can be transported by ship in a liquid form, and then converted back into a gas at the destination.
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Ammonia: Ammonia is a gas that is used as a fertilizer and in the production of other chemicals. It can be transported by ship in a liquid form.
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Carbon Dioxide (CO2): CO2 is a gas that is produced by burning fossil fuels. It can be transported by ship in a compressed form, and is sometimes used for enhanced oil recovery.
Other similar things to "Gas" in the maritime context might include:
- Oil: Like gas, oil is a liquid that is transported by ships for use as fuel or for other purposes.
- Chemicals: Many different types of chemicals are transported by ship, either in liquid or gas form.
- Dry bulk: This refers to commodities such as coal, iron ore, and grain that are transported in large quantities by ship.
- Containerized cargo: This refers to goods that are transported in containers, which can be loaded and unloaded quickly and easily.