Carbon Monoxide Headquarters
Other Nasty gases, Dr. D. Penney





Methane

Preparation, Prevalence, Combustion, Use, Caution:

  • Prepared commercially from natural gas, or by fermentation of cellulose & sewage sludge.

  • Approximately 85% by volume of American natural gas.

  • 0.00022% by volume in Earth's atmosphere; major constituent of atmosphere of outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune).

  • Heat of Combustion - 978 BTU/Cu. ft. at 25 degr. C, or 1 Kg of CH4 = 13,300 kg-cal.

  • Explosivity - Best explosive mixture is 1 vol. methane per 10 vol. air.

  • Use - Manufacture of hydrogen, HCN, ammonia, acethylene & formaldehyde.

  • Caution - Simple asphyxiant; narcotic in high concentrations in absence of oxygen.



    ...... last changed 05/22/00


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