Methane

    H    |  H-C-H
    |    H

The methane is the hydrocarbon simpler alkane, is a gas. Its chemical formula is CH4.

Each one of the hydrogen atoms are united to carbon by means of a covalent bond. It is a nonpolar substance that appears in the form of gas to temperatures and ordinary pressures. He is colorless and odorless and hardly soluble in water in his liquid phase.

In the nature one takes place as end product of the anaeróbica rotting of the plants, this natural trial can be useful to produce biogás. It can constitute until 97% of the natural gas. In the coalmines firedamp is denominated to him and been very dangerous by its facility to become inflamed.

Sources of methane

The main methane origins are:

• Decomposition of organic waste
• Natural sources (marshes): 23%
• Fossil fuel extraction: 20% (the methane traditionally were burned and issued directly. Nowadays it is tried to store as far as possible to reaprovechar forming it the call natural gas).
• The trials in the digestion and animal defecation. 17%. (Especially of the cattle).
• The bacteria in rice plantations: 12%
• Anaeróbica digestion of the biomass

60% of the transmissions anywhere in the world are of antropogénico origin. Other human activities come mainly from agricultural activities and. The merger of this gas has been increased from 0.8 to 1.7 ppm

They are of homologous family - CH2 methylene

Properties

• Calories by gram: 12 kcal
• Calories by _CO2 g: 4,5 kcal

It is also seen

• Etano
• Propane
• Butane
• Pentane
• Hexano
• Heptano
• Octane
• CH4

External Links

• Wikimedia Commons lodges content multimedia on Metano.Commons
• Institute national security and Hygiene in the Work of Spain: International card of chemical security of the methane.