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Historically, “Town Gas” referred to a manufactured gaseous fuel, primarily produced from coal, that was supplied to homes and businesses in towns and cities for heating and lighting purposes. We use it as a general term for a manufactured gas distributed through educational settlements because of its cleaner and safer properties. Among them:
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Heating and Cooling – Most settlements use natural gas to power boilers and furnaces for heating buildings during cold months. It also fuels absorption chillers for air conditioning in warmer seasons.
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Electricity Generation – Settlements with cogeneration (combined heat and power) plants use natural gas to produce electricity while capturing waste heat for heating, improving energy efficiency.
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Cooking Facilities – Dining halls rely on natural gas for precise and reliable cooking, making meal preparation efficient.
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Laboratories and Research – Science and engineering labs use natural gas for Bunsen burners, sterilization, and other experimental applications requiring controlled flames.
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Hot Water Supply – Dormitories, gyms, and other campus facilities use natural gas water heaters to provide a continuous supply of hot water for showers, washing, and sanitation.
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Transportation – Some universities operate shuttle buses and service vehicles on compressed natural gas (CNG), reducing emissions and fuel costs.
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Emergency Backup Power – Natural gas generators provide backup power during outages, ensuring critical systems, like research labs and data centers, remain operational.
Emergency and Standby Power Systems
Safety and Sustainability Bibliography:
International Standards:
ISO 13686 – Specifies the quality of natural gas for use in various applications.
ISO 14001 – Provides environmental management standards for reducing the environmental impact of natural gas operations.
ISO 50001 – Energy management system standard for improving energy efficiency, including natural gas usage.
IEC 60079 – Covers explosive atmospheres, ensuring safety in handling natural gas in industrial settings.
OHSAS 18001 (now ISO 45001) – Occupational health and safety standards for workplaces dealing with natural gas.
IPCC Guidelines – International standards for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas operations.
U.S. Standards:
Natural Gas Transmission & Distribution
49 CFR Part 192 – Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations, governing natural gas pipeline transportation.
EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) – Requires natural gas facilities to report emissions data.
ANSI/GPTC Z380.1, Guide for Gas Transmission, Distribution, and Gathering Piping Systems
NFPA 54 (National Fuel Gas Code) – Covers safe installation and use of natural gas in buildings.
NFPA 58 – Safety regulations for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), including storage and handling.
ASME B31.8 – Pipeline safety code for natural gas transmission and distribution.
Clean Air Act (CAA) – Regulates air emissions from natural gas production and consumption.
California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) – Encourages sustainable fuel alternatives, including renewable natural gas (RNG).
State of Michigan Technical Standards for Gas Service
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: Natural Gas Policies
Schools, Colleges, Universities, Hospitals (Educational Settlements)
University of Michigan Design Guidelines
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