Methane
Methane is a colorless, flammable, odorless gas.
Methane
Formula: CH₄
Methane (CH₄) is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs abundantly in nature and as a product of certain human activities. Methane is the simplest member of the paraffin series of hydrocarbons and is among the most potent of the greenhouse gases. Its chemical formula is CH₄.
In nature, methane is produced by the anaerobic bacterial decomposition of vegetable matter under water (where it is sometimes called marsh gas or swamp gas). Wetlands are the major natural source of methane produced in this way. Other important natural sources of methane include termites (as a result of digestive processes), volcanoes, vents in the ocean floor, and methane hydrate deposits that occur along continental margins and beneath Antarctic ice and Arctic permafrost.
Methane also is the chief constituent of natural gas, which contains from 50 to 90 percent methane (depending on the source), and occurs as a component of firedamp (flammable gas) along coal seams.
Applications
Specifications
Further Specifications
Cylinder Sizes
- Reacts with steam at high temperatures to yield Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen
- Incomplete combustion yields carbon black, which is used as a reinforcing agent in car tires
| Grade 4 | Grade 4.5 | Grade 5 | Grade 5.5 | Grade 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99.99% | 99.995% | 99.999% | 99.9995% | 99.9999% |
| Nitrogen | < 40 ppmv | < 20 ppmv | < 5 ppmv | < 1 ppmv | < 0.5 ppmv |
| Oxygen | < 5 ppmv | < 5 ppmv | < 2 ppmv | < 1 ppmv | < 0.5 ppmv |
| Ethane | < 60 ppmv | < 30 ppmv | < 5 ppmv | < 3 ppmv | < 0.5 ppmv |
| Other Hydrocarbons | < 10 ppmv | < 5 ppmv | < 2 ppmv | < 1 ppmv | < 0.5 ppmv |
| Moisture | < 5 ppmv | < 5 ppmv | < 2 ppmv | < 1 ppmv | < 0.5 ppmv |
| Total Impurities | < 100 ppmv | < 50 ppmv | < 10 ppmv | < 5 ppmv | < 1 ppmv |
| Chemical & Physical Properties | |
|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | 16.043 |
| Specific Volume | 23.7 cf/lb |
| Flammability Limits | 5.0 - 15% in air |
| Valve Outlets | CGA 350 LB CGA 170 |
| Cylinder Size | Fill Volume (cu ft) |
|---|---|
| 49L/Size 300 | 360 |
| 44L/Size 200 | 260 |
| 16L/Size 80 | 94 |
| 7L/Size 35 | 40 |
**Moisture level guaranteed only when Electronic Fluorocarbons prepares the cylinders.
All concentrations are on a mol/mol basis unless otherwise stated.
This product is analyzed gas phase.
*This gas not available for purchase online.
