Chinese Name: 甲烷
  Chemical Formula: CH4
  CAS No.: 74-82-8

  Methane technical indicators

  Types of methane packaging

  1、Physical properties
  Color and odor:Methane is a colorless and odorless gas.
  Density:Methane has a lighter density than air,with a standard density of 0.717g/L.
  Solubility:Methane is difficult to dissolve in water.At 20℃and 0.1kpa,only 3 units of methane can be dissolved in 100 units of water.
  Combustion characteristics:When methane burns in air,it produces a bright light blue flame and is smokeless.
  Stability:Under normal circumstances,methane has stable properties and does not react with strong oxidants such as potassium permanganate,nor does it react with strong acids or bases.

  2、Source of methane
  The main sources of methane include wetlands,rice fields,ruminants,and fossil fuels.
  Methane is an important non-polar molecule,the simplest organic compound,and also one of the greenhouse gases.It will be decomposed into water vapor(clouds)in the stratosphere,leading to the destruction of the ozone layer.The main sources of methane are diverse,as follows:
  Wetlands:Wetlands are an important source of methane,where microorganisms decompose complex organic matter in anaerobic environments to produce methane.
  Rice paddies:Rice paddies are also an important source of methane.During rice cultivation,the water management and crop growth processes in rice paddies promote the production of methane.
  Ruminators:Ruminators also produce methane during their digestion process,which is released into the atmosphere through burping and farting.
  Fossil fuels:Fossil fuels such as coal,oil,and natural gas are also important sources of methane,and these fuels may release methane during extraction,processing,and use.
  In addition,methane also comes from biogas,natural gas,coal mine tunnel gas,and combustible ice.For example,biogas is produced by microorganisms decomposing complex organic matter in an anaerobic environment,with methane content ranging from 55%to 70%;The main component of natural gas is methane,accounting for about 87%;Coal mine tunnel gas is also an important source of methane;The methane content in combustible ice accounts for 80%to 99.9%.

  3、Main purpose
  Fuel:Methane is a common fuel widely used in stoves,heating,power plants,and industrial applications.It has high calorific value and low carbon content,high combustion efficiency,and is therefore widely used in the energy industry and household use.
  Chemical raw materials:Methane can be used to synthesize other organic compounds.For example,it can be oxidized into chemicals such as formaldehyde,formic acid,and dimethyl ether,which are widely used in the production process of the chemical industry.In addition,high-temperature decomposition of methane can produce carbon black,which can be used as an additive for pigments,inks,paints,and rubber.
  Oil and gas exploration:Methane is an important component of oil and gas and can serve as an indicator for exploration.By monitoring the concentration of methane underground and the direction of gas movement,potential oil and gas reservoirs can be identified.
  Greenhouse gas:Although methane has a relatively low concentration in the atmosphere,it is a potent greenhouse gas.Methane has a greenhouse effect about 25 times higher than carbon dioxide and plays an important role in global warming.Therefore,reducing methane emissions is crucial for mitigating climate change.
  Bioenergy:Methane can be produced through biological fermentation processes,such as in landfills where buried waste decomposes to produce methane gas,which can be used for power generation and heating.This form of energy is called biomethane or biogas,and is an environmentally friendly and renewable source of energy.