METHANE MOLECULE

carbon hydrogen

METHANE MOLECULE Common names : – Methyl hydride – Carbon tetrachloride – Marsh gas

METHANE MOLECULE Properties: Molar mass; g/mol Bond angle=109.5°,Bond distance=108.70pm Boiling point= °C,colorless gas, Highly flammable Green house gas (high global warming potential) Natural gas

METHANE MOLECULE

Typical Composition of Natural Gas MethaneCH470-90% EthaneC2H60-20% PropaneC3H8 ButaneC4H10 Carbon DioxideCO20-8% OxygenO20-0.2% NitrogenN20-5% Hydrogen sulphideH2S0-5% Rare gasesA, He, Ne, Xetrace

METHANE MOLECULE

Methane concentration in the atmosphere. – During glacial period: 300 and 400 nmol/mol – During interglacial periods: 600 to 700 nmol/mol – In 2010: 1850 nmol/mol (a level described as being higher than at any time in the previous 400,000 years) – Net lifetime is about 10 years – Removal from the atmosphere: CH4 + OH ---> CO2 + water

METHANE MOLECULE Sources of methane: – Methane clathrates in the ocean floor (large amount of methane is trapped within a crystal structure of water, forming a solid similar to ice.) – Earth’s crust thru methanogenesis (formation of methane by microbes known as methanogens) – Mud volcanoes – Landfill – Livestock (ruminants) from enteric fermentation

METHANE MOLECULE

Reactions of methane – Theoretical formaldehyde reaction CH4 ----> H2CO – Removal from the atmosphere CH4 + OH ---> CO2 + water – As fuel CH4 + 2O2 --> CO2 + 2 H2O ∆H = KJ/mole

METHANE MOLECULE Uses: In some cities, methane is piped into homes for domestic heating. It can be used as vehicle fuel.

METHANE MOLECULE Uses: In some cities, methane is piped into homes for domestic heating. It can be used as vehicle fuel.

METHANE MOLECULE Uses: In some cities, methane is piped into homes for domestic heating. It can be used as vehicle fuel. NASA is conducting study on its potential as rocket fuel. There has been coal mines with its methane successfully converted to electricity.

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METHANE MOLECULE Correction: September 21, 2008 Because of an editing error, an article last Sunday about the conversion of methane at landfills into energy misstated the process used to create power at the Covanta Energy Corporation’s American Ref-Fuel incinerator in Hempstead, N.Y. The power results from the combustion of solid waste, not from the capturing of methane.