How to Use Methane Gas
Methane (CH4) is a colorless, odorless gas obtained from natural gas and coal in commercial quantities and may also be synthesized in the laboratory. It burns cleanly and is relatively abundant, making it useful for electrical generation and a heating fuel. Methane is usually transported by pipeline for these purposes because it's a gas at standard temperature and pressure. Methane is also the precursor for many chemical reactions and is therefore used in the industrial chemistry.
Instructions
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1
Burn methane in a gas turbine or steam boiler to generate electricity. This is the most common use of methane and it produces more heat per unit of mass and less carbon dioxide per unit of heat than any other hydrocarbon.
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2
Use methane for domestic heating. Methane is has 1,000 BTU (39 megajoules) per cubic foot under standard conditions and is frequently piped into homes for heating and cooking purposes. Methane is commonly called "natural gas" in this context, although it's technically only the primary component of natural gas.
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3
Synthesize hydrogen with methane. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are obtained from methane on a commercial scale by reacting steam with natural gas in a temperature range of 700 to 1100 degrees Celsius in the presence of a nickel catalyst. This causes the following reaction to occur: CH4 + H2O ' CO + 3 H2.
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4
Synthesize methanol from methane. After the reaction in Step 3, the carbon monoxide and hydrogen mixture is pressurized to 50 to 100 atmospheres at 250 degrees Celsius in the presences of a catalyst composed of alumina, copper and zinc oxide. These conditions cause methanol to form according to the following equation: CO + 2 H2 ' CH3OH.
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5
Produce other chemicals from methane on a smaller scale. Passing methane through an electric arc can produce acetylene and reacting methane with chlorine gas can produce various chloromethanes.
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