Why burning natural gas in a boiler is useful?

Answer 1

Overall, natural gas is a cleaner burning fuel than coal. Coal contains a lot of ash compared to gas which creates a lot of particulate matter pollution (think soot). Additionally, coal contains sulfur and nitrogen compounds which when burned form sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, both of which are gaseous air pollutants that lead to the formation of acid rain. Natural gas does consist of nitrogen too, so you have to be aware of minimizing nitrogen oxides as well when using it. But technology exists in the burners inside the boiler that minimize the formation of nitrogen oxides when burning natural gas.