Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH4 (one atom of carbon and four atoms of hydrogen).

Product Introduction

Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH4 (one atom of carbon and four atoms of hydrogen). It is a group-14 hydride and the simplest alkane, and is the main constituent of natural gas. The relative abundance of methane on Earth makes it an attractive fuel, though capturing and storing it poses challenges due to its gaseous state under normal conditions for temperature and pressure.
Natural methane is found both below ground and under the sea floor. When it reaches the surface and the atmosphere, it is known as atmospheric methane. The Earth’s atmospheric methane concentration has increased by about 150% since 1750, and it accounts for 20% of the total radiative forcing from all of the long-lived and globally mixed greenhouse gases.

Specification

Packing&Shipping

Application

As a Fuel
Methane is used as a fuel for ovens, homes, water heaters, kilns, automobiles, turbines, and other things. It combusts with oxygen to create fire.

In the Chemical Industry
Methane is converted tosynthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, by steam reforming.

Uses

Methane is used in industrial chemical processes and may be transported as a refrigerated liquid (liquefied natural gas, or LNG). While leaks from a refrigerated liquid container are initially heavier than air due to the increased density of the cold gas, the gas at ambient temperature is lighter than air. Gas pipelines distribute large amounts of natural gas, of which methane is the principal component.

1.Fuel
Methane is used as a fuel for ovens, homes, water heaters, kilns, automobiles,turbines, and other things. It combusts with oxygen to create heat.

2.Natural gas
Methane is important for electricity generation by burning it as a fuel in a gas turbine or steam generator. Compared to other hydrocarbon fuels, 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. 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.

3.Liquefied natural gas
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas (predominantly methane, CH4) that has been converted to liquid form for ease of storage or transport.Expensive LNG tankers are required to transport methane.

Liquefied natural gas occupies about 1/600th the volume of natural gas in the gaseous state. It is odorless, colorless, non-toxic and non-corrosive. Hazards include flammability after vaporization into a gaseous state, freezing, and asphyxia.

4.Liquid-methane rocket fuel
Refined liquid methane is used as a rocket fuel.Methane is reported to offer the advantage over kerosene of depositing less carbon on the internal parts of rocket motors, reducing the difficulty of re-use of boosters.

Methane is abundant in many parts of the Solar system and potentially could be harvested on the surface of another solar-system body (in particular, using methane production from local materials found on Mars or Titan), providing fuel for a return journey.

5.Chemical feedstock
Methane is converted to synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, by steam reforming. This endergonic process (requiring energy) utilizes catalysts and requires high temperatures, around 700–1100 °C.

First aid measures

EyeContact:None required for gas. If frostbite is suspected, flush eyes with cool water for 15 minutes and obtain immediate medical attention.
SkinContact:None required forgas. For dermal contact or suspected frostbite,remove contaminated clothing and flush affected areas with luke warm water.DO NOT USE HOT WATER.A physican should see the patient promptly if contact with the product has resulted in blistering of the dermal surface or in deep tissue freezing.
Inhalation: PROMPT MEDICAL ATTENTION ISMANDATORY IN ALL CASES OF INHALATION OVEREXPOSURE. RESCUE PERSONNEL SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS. Conscious inhalation victims should be assisted to an uncontaminated area and inhale fresh air. If breathing is difficult,administer oxygen.Unconscious persons should be moved to an uncontaminated area and, as necessary, given artificial resuscitation and supplemental oxygen. Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive.
Ingestion: None under normal use.Get medical attention if symptoms occur.
NotestoPhysician: Treat symptomatically.

Extraterrestrial methane
Methane has been detected or is believed to exist on all planets of the solar system and most of the larger moons. With the possible exception of Mars, it is believed to have come from abiotic processes.
Methane (CH4) on Mars – potential sources and sinks.
Methane has been proposed as a possible rocket propellant on future Mars missions due in part to the possibility of synthesizing it on the planet by in situ resource utilization.[58] An adaptation of the Sabatier methanation reaction may be used with a mixed catalyst bed and a reverse water-gas shift in a single reactor to produce methane from the raw materials available on Mars, utilizing water from the Martian subsoil and carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere.

Methane could be produced by a non-biological process called ’’serpentinization[a] involving water, carbon dioxide, and the mineral olivine, which is known to be common on Mars.