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Methane (Natural Gas). Xavier Scott and Bruce Etheridge CHM 1045 November 9, 2010. Properties. Molecular Formula: CH₄ Shape: Tetrahedral Molecular weight : 16.043 g/mol melts at -184°C, and boils at -161.4°C exothermic reaction (Δ H = -891 kJ/mol)
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Methane (Natural Gas) Xavier Scott and Bruce Etheridge CHM 1045 November 9, 2010
Properties • Molecular Formula: CH₄ • Shape: Tetrahedral • Molecular weight : 16.043 g/mol • melts at -184°C, and boils at -161.4°C • exothermic reaction (ΔH = -891 kJ/mol) • State: colorless, odorless gas and is less dense than air
Properties • Density = 0.68 kg/m3 • Highly Combustible • A non-polar molecule and is insoluble in water • It dissolves in non-polar solvents like alcohol
Chemical Properties • Methane Fuel (Natural Gas) • Methane’s Reactivity • Bunsen Burner
Emission level factors: • Climate • Energy types and usage • Waste management practices • Temperature • Moisture
Global Warming • Methane is classed as a greenhouse gas • Global Warming Potential (GWP) • CO₂ vs. CH₄ • Ticking time bomb
Where do we find Methane? Natural • Wetlands 80% • Termites • Methane Hydrates • Oceans Industrial • Loss during coal, oil and gas extraction • Waste treatment, from landfill sites, rice cultivation and biomass burning
Where do we find Methane? Livestock • Livestock grazing contributes an estimated 20 percent of all global methane emissions
Methanogens • Methanogens a very diverse group • they are either rod shaped or spherical • There are over 50 subspecies of methanogens classified under the Archaebacteria • Hydrogenotrophic • Acetotrophic or Acetoclastic
History • Discovered by Alessandro Volta in 1776 • John Dalton(1766-1844), collecting methane
Methane Applications Fuel • Heat homes and buildings Hydrogen • Produced by steam-methane reforming Industrial Uses • Production of important industrial chemicals
References Atkins, Peter. Atkins’ Molecules. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press 2003. Print. Roger Haynard and Linius Paulins. The Architecture Of Molecules. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Company. 1964. Print. K.C Nicolaou and T. Montagnon. The Molecules that Changed the World . Germany: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhein. 2008. Print. J.A. Beran. Laboratory Manual for Principles of General Chemistry. Eighth Edition. John Wiley & Sons Inc. 2009. Print.
References Shakhashiri, Bassam Z. Chemical of the Week -- Methane. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Web. 1 November 2012. Methane Properties. Gas Plant Manufacturers. Web. 1 November 2010. Cotton, Simon. The Molecule of the Month: Methane. Uppingham School, Rutland, UK. Web. 1 November 2010.
Acknowledgements • Bruce Etheridge • Xavier Scott • Professor Renee Becker