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Methane
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"CH4" redirects here. For other uses, see CH4 (disambiguation).
For the emergency service protocol, see ETHANE.
Methane
Stereo, skeletal formula of methane with some measurements added
Ball and stick model of methane
Spacefill model of methane
Names
IUPAC name
Methane[1](substitutive)
Tetrahydridocarbon[1] (additive)
Other names
Carbane
Marsh Gas
Natural Gas
Carbon tetrahydride
Hydrogen carbide
Identifiers
CAS Number
74-82-8 Yes
3DMet B01450
Beilstein Reference
1718732
ChEBI CHEBI:16183 Yes
ChEMBL ChEMBL17564 Yes
ChemSpider
291 Yes
EC Number
200-812-7
Gmelin Reference
59
Jmol interactive 3D
Image
KEGG
C01438
MeSH
Methane
PubChem 297
RTECS number
PA1490000
UN number
1971
InChI[show]
SMILES[show]
Properties
Chemical formula
CH4
Molar mass
16.04 gmol1
Appearance
Colorless gas
Odor
Odorless
Density 0.656 g/L (gas, 25 C, 1 atm)
0.716 g/L (gas, 0 C, 1 atm)
0.42262 g cm3
(liquid, 162 C)[2]
Melting point 182.5 C; 296.4 F; 90.7 K
Boiling point 161.49 C; 258.68 F; 111.66 K
Solubility in water
22.7 mg L1
Solubility
soluble in ethanol, diethyl ether, benzene, toluene, methanol, a
cetone
log P 1.09
Henry's law
constant (kH)
14 nmol Pa1 kg1

Structure
Point group
Td
Molecular shape
Tetrahedron
Dipole moment
0 D
Thermochemistry
Specific
heat capacity (C)
35.69 J K1 mol1
Std molar
entropy (So298)
186.25 J K1 mol1
Std enthalpy of
formation (fHo298)
74.87 kJ mol1
Std enthalpy of
combustion (cHo298)
891.1 to 890.3 kJ mol1
Hazards[3]
Safety data sheet
See: data page
GHS pictograms The flame pictogram in the Globally Harmonized System of Classif
ication and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)
GHS signal word DANGER
GHS hazard statements
H220
GHS precautionary statements
P210
EU classification (DSD)
Extremely Flammable F+
R12
R phrases
S phrases
(S2), S16, S33
NFPA 704
NFPA 704 four colored diamond
420
Flash point
188 C (306.4 F; 85.1 K)
Autoignition
temperature
537 C (999 F; 810 K)
Explosive limits
4.417%
Related compounds
Related alkanes
Methyl iodide
Diiodomethane
Iodoform
Carbon tetraiodide
Ethane
Ethyl iodide
Supplementary data page
Structure and
properties
Refractive index (n),
Dielectric constant (r),
tc.
Th
rmodynamic
data
Phas
b
haviour
solidliquidgas
Sp
ctral data
UV, IR, NMR, MS

v
rify (what is Y
s ?)

Infobox r
f
r
nc
s
M
than
(/men/ or /mien/) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH4 (one a
of carbon and four atoms of hydrogen). It is the simplest alkane and the main c
omponent of natural gas. The relative abundance of methane on Earth makes it an
attractive fuel, though capturing and storing it poses challenges due to its gas
eous state found at standard conditions for temperature and pressure. In its nat
ural state, methane is found both below ground and under the sea floor, where it
often finds its way to the surface and the atmosphere where it is known as atmo
spheric methane.[5]
Contents [hide]
1
History
2
Properties and bonding
3
Chemical reactions
3.1
Acid-base reactions
3.2
Combustion
3.3
Reactions with halogens
4
Uses
4.1
Fuel
4.1.1 Natural gas
4.1.2 Liuefied natural gas
4.1.3 Power to gas
4.1.4 Liuid methane rocket fuel
4.2
Chemical feedstock
5
Production
5.1
Biological routes
5.2
Serpentinization
5.3
Industrial routes
5.4
Laboratory synthesis
6
Occurrence
6.1
Alternative sources
6.2
Atmospheric methane
6.3
Clathrates
7
Anaerobic oxidation of methane
8
Safety
9
Extraterrestrial methane
10
See also
11
Notes
12
References
13
External links
History
[icon] This section reuires expansion. (November 2013)
In November 1776, methane was first scientifically identified by Italian physici
st Alessandro Volta in the marshes of Lake Maggiore straddling Italy and Switzer
land, having been inspired to search for the substance after reading a paper wri
tten by Benjamin Franklin about "flammable air".[6] Volta captured the gas risin
g from the marsh, and by 1778 had isolated the pure gas.[7] He also demonstrated
means to ignite the gas with an electric spark.[7]
Properties and bonding
Methane is a tetrahedral molecule with four euivalent C-H bonds. Its electronic
structure is described by four bonding molecular orbitals (MOs) resulting from
the overlap of the valence orbitals on C and H. The lowest energy MO is the resu
lt of the overlap of the 2s orbital on carbon with the in-phase combination of t
he 1s orbitals on the four hydrogen atoms. Above this level in energy is a tripl
y degenerate set of MOs that involve overlap of the 2p orbitals on carbon with v
arious linear combinations of the 1s orbitals on hydrogen. The resulting "threeover-one" bonding scheme is consistent with photoelectron spectroscopic measurem
ents.

At room temperature and standard pressure, methane is a colorless, odorless gas.

[8] The familiar smell of natural gas as used in homes is a safety measure achie
ved by the addition of an odorant, usually blends containing tert-butylthiol. Me
thane has a boiling point of 161 C (257.8 F) at a pr
ssur
of on
atmosph
r
.[9] As
a gas it is flammabl
ov
r a rang
of conc
ntrations (4.417%) in air at standard
pr
ssur
.
Solid m
than

xists in s
v
ral modifications. Pr
s
ntly nin
ar
known.[10] Coo
ling m
than
at normal pr
ssur
r
sults in th
formation of m
than
I. This subs
tanc
crystalliz
s in th
cubic syst
m (spac
group Fm3m). Th
positions of th

hydrog
n atoms ar
not fix
d in m
than
I, i.
., m
than
mol
cul
s may rotat
fr


ly. Th
r
for
, it is a plastic crystal.[11]
Ch
mical r
actions
Main r
actions with m
than
ar
: combustion, st
am r
forming to syngas, and halo
g
nation. In g
n
ral, m
than
r
actions ar
difficult to control. Partial oxidat
ion to m
thanol, for
xampl
, is chall
nging b
caus
th
r
action typically prog
r
ss
s all th
way to carbon dioxid
and wat
r
v
n with incompl
t
amounts of o
xyg
n. Th

nzym
m
than
monooxyg
nas
produc
s m
thanol from m
than
, but cann
ot b
us
d for industrial scal
r
actions.[12]
Acid bas
r
actions
Lik
oth
r hydrocarbons, m
than
is a v
ry w
ak acid. Its pKa in DMSO is
stimat

d to b
56.[13] It cannot b
d
protonat
d in solution, but th
conjugat
bas
w
ith m
thyllithium is known.
A vari
ty of positiv
ions d
riv
d from m
than
hav
b

n obs
rv
d, mostly as un
stabl
sp
ci
s in low pr
ssur
gas mixtur
s. Th
s
includ
m
th
nium or m
thyl c
ation CH+
3, m
than
cation CH+
4, and m
thanium or protonat
d m
than
CH+
5. Som
of th
s
hav
b

n d
t
ct
d in out
r spac
. M
thanium can also b
produc

d as dilut
d solutions from m
than
with sup
r acids. Cations with high
r charg

, such as CH2+
6 and CH3+
7, hav
b

n studi
d th
or
tically and conj
ctur
d to b
stabl
.[14]
D
spit
th
str
ngth of its C H bonds, th
r
is int
ns
int
r
st in catalysts th
at facilitat
CH bond activation in m
than
(and oth
r low alkan
s).[15]
Combustion
M
than
's h
at of combustion is 55.5 MJ/kg.[16] Combustion of m
than
is a multi
pl
st
p r
action. Th
following
quations ar
part of th
proc
ss, with th
n
t
r
sult b
ing:
CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O (H = 891 k J/mol (at standard conditions))
CH4+ M* CH3 + H + M
CH4 + O2 CH3 + HO2
CH4 + HO2 CH3 + 2 OH
CH4 + OH CH3 + H2O
O2 + H O + OH
CH4 + O CH3 + OH
CH3 + O2 CH2O + OH
CH2O + O CHO + OH
CH2O + OH CHO + H2O
CH2O + H CHO + H2
CHO + O CO + OH
CHO + OH CO + H2O

CHO + H CO + H2
H2 + O H + OH
H2 + OH H + H2O
CO + OH CO2 + H
H + OH + M H2O + M*
H + H + M H2 + M*
H + O2 + M HO2 + M*
The species M* signifies an energetic third body, from which energy is transferr
ed during a molecular collision. Formaldehyde (HCHO or H
2CO) is an early intermediate (reaction 7). Oxidation of formaldehyde gives the
formyl radical (HCO; reactions 810), which then give carbon monoxide (CO) (reacti
ons 11, 12 & 13). Any resulting H2 oxidizes to H2O or other intermediates (react
ion 14, 15). Finally, the CO oxidizes, forming CO2 (reaction 16). In the final s
tages (reactions 1719), energy is transferred back to other third bodies. The ove
rall speed of reaction is a function of the concentration of the various entitie
s during the combustion process. The higher the temperature, the greater the con
centration of radical species and the more rapid the combustion process.[17]
Reactions with halogens
Methane reacts with halogens given appropriate conditions as follows:
X2 + UV 2 X
X + CH4 HX + CH3
CH3 + X2 CH3X + X
where X is a halogen: fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), or iodine (I).
This mechanism for this process is called free radical halogenation. It is initi
ated with UV light or some other radical initiator. A chlorine atom is generated
from elemental chlorine, which abstracts a hydrogen atom from methane, resultin
g in the formation of hydrogen chloride. The resulting methyl radical, CH3, can c
ombine with another chlorine molecule to give methyl chloride (CH3Cl) and a chlo
rine atom. This chlorine atom can then react with another methane (or methyl chl
oride) molecule, repeating the chlorination cycle.[18] Similar reactions can pro
duce dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), chloroform (CHCl3), and, ultimately, carbon tetra
chloride (CCl4), depending upon reaction conditions and the chlorine to methane
ratio.
Uses
Methane is used in industrial chemical processes and may be transported as a ref
rigerated liquid (liquefied natural gas, or LNG). While leaks from a refrigerate
d liquid container are initially heavier than air due to the increased density o
f the cold gas, the gas at ambient temperature is lighter than air. Gas pipeline
s distribute large amounts of natural gas, of which methane is the principal com
ponent.
Fuel
Methane can be used as a gas for ovens, hobs etc. It combusts with oxygen to cre
ate fire.
Natural gas
Main article: natural gas
Methane is important for electrical generation by burning it as a fuel in a gas
turbine or steam generator. Compared to other hydrocarbon fuels, burning methane
produces less carbon dioxide for each unit of heat released. At about 891 kJ/mo
l, methane's heat of combustion is lower than any other hydrocarbon but the rati
o of the heat of combustion (891 kJ/mol) to the molecular mass (16.0 g/mol, of w
hich 12.0 g/mol is carbon) shows that methane, being the simplest hydrocarbon, p
roduces more heat per mass unit (55.7 kJ/g) than other complex hydrocarbons. In
many cities, methane is piped into homes for domestic heating and cooking purpos
es. In this context it is usually known as natural gas, which is considered to h
ave an energy content of 39 megajoules per cubic meter, or 1,000 BTU per standar

d cubic foot.
Methane in the form of compressed natural gas is used as a vehicle fuel and is c
laimed to be more environmentally friendly than other fossil fuels such as gasol
ine/petrol and diesel.[19] Research into adsorption methods of methane storage f
or use as an automotive fuel has been conducted.[20]
Liquefied natural gas
Main article: Liquefied natural gas
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas (predominantly methane, CH4) that has
been converted to liquid form for ease of storage or transport.
Liquefied natural gas takes up about 1/600th the volume of natural gas in the ga
seous state. It is odorless, colorless, non toxic and non corrosive. Hazards inc
lude flammability after vaporization into a gaseous state, freezing and asphyxia
.
The liquefaction process involves removal of certain components, such as dust, a
cid gases, helium, water, and heavy hydrocarbons, which could cause difficulty d
ownstream. The natural gas is then condensed into a liquid at close to atmospher
ic pressure (maximum transport pressure set at around 25 kPa or 3.6 psi) by cool
ing it to approximately 162 C (260 F).
LNG achieves a higher reduction in volume than compressed natural gas (CNG) so t
hat the energy density of LNG is 2.4 times greater than that of CNG or 60% of th
at of diesel fuel.[21] This makes LNG cost efficient to transport over long dist
ances where pipelines do not exist. Specially designed cryogenic sea vessels (LN
G carriers) or cryogenic road tankers are used for its transport.
LNG, when it is not highly refined for special uses, is principally used for tra
nsporting natural gas to markets, where it is regasified and distributed as pipe
line natural gas. It is also beginning to be used in LNG fueled road vehicles. F
or example, trucks in commercial operation have been achieving payback periods o
f approximately four years on the higher initial investment required in LNG equi
pment on the trucks and LNG infrastructure to support fueling.[22] However, it r
emains more common to design vehicles to use compressed natural gas. As of 2002,
the relatively higher cost of LNG production and the need to store LNG in more
expensive cryogenic tanks had slowed widespread commercial use.[23]
Power to gas
Main article: Power to gas
Power to gas is a technology which converts electrical power to a gas fuel. The
method is used to convert carbon dioxide and water to methane, (see natural gas)
using electrolysis and the Sabatier reaction.[clarification needed] The excess
power or off peak power generated by wind generators or solar arrays could theor
etically be used for load balancing in the energy grid.[citation needed]
Liquid methane rocket fuel
In a highly refined form, liquid methane is used as a rocket fuel.[24]
While investigations of methane use have existed for decades, no production meth
ane engines have yet been used on orbital spaceflights.[25] This is changing, an
d liquid methane has recently been selected for the active development of a vari
ety of bipropellant rocket engines.
Since the 1990s, a number of Russian rockets have been proposed to use liquid me
thane.[26][27] One 1990s Russian engine proposal was the RD 192, a methane/LOX v
ariant of the RD 191.[27]
In 2005, US companies, Orbitech and XCOR Aerospace, developed a demonstration li

quid oxygen/liquid methane rocket engine and a larger 7,500 pounds force (33 kN)
thrust engine in 2007 for potential use as the CEV lunar return engine, before
the CEV program was later cancelled.[28][29][30]
More recently the American private space company SpaceX announced in 2012 an ini
tiative to develop liquid methane rocket engines,[31] including, initially, the
very large Raptor rocket engine.[32] Raptor is being designed to produce 4.4 meg
anewtons (1,000,000 lbf) of thrust with a vacuum specific impulse (Isp) of 363 s
econds and a sea level Isp of 321 seconds,[33] and is expected to begin componen
t level testing in 2014.[34] In February 2014, the Raptor engine design was reve
aled to be of the highly efficient and theoretically more reliable full flow sta
ged combustion cycle type, where both propellant streamsoxidizer and fuelwill be c
ompletely in the gas phase before they enter the combustion chamber. Prior to 20
14, only two full flow rocket engines have ever progressed sufficiently to be te
sted on test stands, but neither engine completed development or flew on a fligh
t vehicle.[33]
In October 2013, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, a state
owned contractor for the Chinese space program, announced that it had completed
a first ignition test on a new LOX methane rocket engine. No engine size was pr
ovided.[35]
In September 2014, another American private space companyBlue Origin publically an
nounced that they were into their third year of development work on a large meth
ane rocket engine. The new engine, the Blue Engine 4, or BE 4, has been designed
to produce 2,400 kilonewtons (550,000 lbf) of thrust. While initially planned t
o be used exclusively on a Blue Origin proprietary launch vehicle, it will now b
e used on a new United Launch Alliance (ULA) engine on an new launch vehicle tha
t is a successor to the Atlas V. ULA indicated in 2014 that they will make the m
aiden flight of the new launch vehicle no earlier than 2019.[36]
One advantage of methane is that it is abundant in many parts of the solar syste
m and it could potentially be harvested on the surface of another solar system b
ody (in particular, using methane production from local materials found on Mars[
37] or Titan), providing fuel for a return journey.[24][38]
By 2013, NASA's Project Morpheus had developed a small restartable LOX methane r
ocket engine with 5,000 pounds force (22 kN) thrust and a specific impulse of 32
1 seconds suitable for inspace applications including landers. Small LOX methane
thrusters 515 pounds force (2267 N) were also developed suitable for use in a Rea
ction Control System (RCS).[39][40]
SpaceNews is reporting in early 2015 that the French space agency CNES is workin
g with Germany and a few other governments and will propose a LOX/methane engine
on a reusable launch vehicle by mid 2015, with flight testing unlikely before a
pproximately 2026.[41]
Chemical feedstock
Although there is great interest in converting methane into useful or more easil
y liquefied compounds, the only practical processes are relatively unselective.
In the chemical industry, methane is converted to synthesis gas, a mixture of ca
rbon monoxide and hydrogen, by steam reforming. This endergonic process (requiri
ng energy) utilizes nickel catalysts and requires high temperatures, around 70011
00 C:
CH4 + H2O CO + 3 H2
Related chemistries are exploited in the Haber Bosch Synthesis of ammonia from a
ir, which is reduced with natural gas to a mixture of carbon dioxide, water, and
ammonia.

Methane is also subjected to free radical chlorination in the production of chlo

romethanes, although methanol is a more typical precursor.[42]
Production
Diagram of sustainable methane fuel production.PNG
Biological routes
Main article: methanogenesis
Naturally occurring methane is mainly produced by the process of methanogenesis.
This multistep process is used by microorganisms as an energy source. The net r
eaction is:
CO2 + 8 H+ + 8
The final step
iotransferase.
ms that occupy

e CH4 + 2 H2O
in the process is catalyzed by the enzyme Coenzyme B sulfoethylth
Methanogenesis is a form of anaerobic respiration used by organis
landfill, ruminants (e.g., cattle), and the guts of termites.

It is uncertain if plants are a source of methane emissions.[43][44][45]

Serpentinization
Methane could also be produced by a non biological process called serpentinizati
on[a] involving water, carbon dioxide, and the mineral olivine, which is known t
o be common on Mars.[46]
Industrial routes
Methane can be produced by hydrogenating carbon dioxide through the Sabatier pro
cess. Methane is also a side product of the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide in
the Fischer Tropsch process. This technology is practiced on a large scale to pr
oduce longer chain molecules than methane.
Natural gas is so abundant that the intentional production of methane is relativ
ely rare. The only large scale facility of this kind is the Great Plains Synfuel
s plant, started in 1984 in Beulah, North Dakota as a way to develop abundant lo
cal resources of low grade lignite, a resource which is otherwise very hard to t
ransport for its weight, ash content, low calorific value and propensity to spon
taneous combustion during storage and transport.
An adaptation of the Sabatier methanation reaction may be used via a mixed catal
yst bed and a reverse water gas shift in a single reactor to produce methane fro
m the raw materials available on Mars, utilizing water from the Martian subsoil
and carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere.[37]
Laboratory synthesis
Methane can also be produced by the destructive distillation of acetic acid in t
he presence of soda lime or similar. Acetic acid is decarboxylated in this proce
ss. Methane can also be prepared by reaction of aluminium carbide with water or
strong acids.
Occurrence
Methane was discovered and isolated by Alessandro Volta between 1776 and 1778 wh
en studying marsh gas from Lake Maggiore. It is the major component of natural g
as, about 87% by volume. The major source of methane is extraction from geologic
al deposits known as natural gas fields, with coal seam gas extraction becoming
a major source (see Coal bed methane extraction, a method for extracting methane
from a coal deposit, while enhanced coal bed methane recovery is a method of re
covering methane from non mineable coal seams). It is associated with other hydr
ocarbon fuels, and sometimes accompanied by helium and nitrogen. The gas at shal
low levels (low pressure) forms by anaerobic decay of organic matter and reworke
d methane from deep under the Earth's surface. In general, sediments buried deep
er and at higher temperatures than those that contain oil generate natural gas.

It is generally transported in bulk by pipeline in its natural gas form, or LNG

carriers in its liquefied form; few countries transport it by truck.
Alternative sources
Testing Australian sheep for exhaled methane production (2001), CSIRO
Apart from gas fields, an alternative method of obtaining methane is via biogas
generated by the fermentation of organic matter including manure, wastewater slu
dge, municipal solid waste (including landfills), or any other biodegradable fee
dstock, under anaerobic conditions. Rice fields also generate large amounts of m
ethane during plant growth. Methane hydrates/clathrates (ice like combinations o
f methane and water on the sea floor, found in vast quantities) are a potential
future source of methane. Cattle belch methane accounts for 16% of the world's a
nnual methane emissions to the atmosphere.[47] One study reported that the lives
tock sector in general (primarily cattle, chickens, and pigs) produces 37% of al
l human induced methane.[48] Early research has found a number of medical treatm
ents and dietary adjustments that help slightly limit the production of methane
in ruminants.[49][50] A more recent study, in 2009, found that at a conservative
estimate, at least 51% of global greenhouse gas emissions were attributable to
the life cycle and supply chain of livestock products, meaning all meat, dairy,
and by products, and their transportation.[51] Many efforts are underway to redu
ce livestock methane production and trap the gas to use as energy.[52]
Paleoclimatology research published in Current Biology suggests that flatulence
from dinosaurs may have warmed the Earth.[53]
Atmospheric methane
Main article: Atmospheric methane
Methane concentrations up to December 2015 (Mauna Loa)
Methane is created near the Earth's surface, primarily by microorganisms by the
process of methanogenesis. It is carried into the stratosphere by rising air in
the tropics. Uncontrolled build up of methane in the atmosphere is naturally che
cked although human influence can upset this natural regulation by methane's rea
ction with hydroxyl radicals formed from singlet oxygen atoms and with water vap
or. It has a net lifetime of about 10 years,[54] and is primarily removed by con
version to carbon dioxide and water.
In addition, there is a large (but unknown) amount of methane in methane clathra
tes in the ocean floors as well as the Earth's crust. Most methane is the result
of biological process called methanogenesis.
In 2010, methane levels in the Arctic were measured at 1850 nmol/mol, a level ov
er twice as high as at any time in the 400,000 years prior to the industrial rev
olution. Historically, methane concentrations in the world's atmosphere have ran
ged between 300 and 400 nmol/mol during glacial periods commonly known as ice ag
es, and between 600 to 700 nmol/mol during the warm interglacial periods. Recent
research suggests that the Earth's oceans are a potentially important new sourc
e of Arctic methane.[55]
Methane is an important greenhouse gas with a global warming potential of 34 com
pared to CO2 over a 100 year period, and 72 over a 20 year period.[56][57][58]
The Earth's atmospheric methane concentration has increased by about 150% since
1750, and it accounts for 20% of the total radiative forcing from all of the lon
g lived and globally mixed greenhouse gases (these gases don't include water vap
or which is by far the largest component of the greenhouse effect).[59]
Clathrates

Methane is essentially insoluble in water, but it can be trapped in ice forming

a similar solid. Significant deposits of methane clathrate have been found under
sediments on the ocean floors of Earth at large depths.
Arctic methane release from permafrost and methane clathrates is an expected con
sequence and further cause of global warming.[60][61][62]
Anaerobic oxidation of methane
There is a group of bacteria that drive methane oxidation with nitrite as the ox
idant, the anaerobic oxidation of methane.[63]
Safety
Methane is nontoxic, yet it is extremely flammable and may form explosive mixtur
es with air. Methane is violently reactive with oxidizers, halogen, and some hal
ogen containing compounds. Methane is also an asphyxiant and may displace oxygen
in an enclosed space. Asphyxia may result if the oxygen concentration is reduce
d to below about 16% by displacement, as most people can tolerate a reduction fr
om 21% to 16% without ill effects. The concentration of methane at which asphyxi
ation risk becomes significant is much higher than the 515% concentration in a fl
ammable or explosive mixture. Methane off gas can penetrate the interiors of bui
ldings near landfills and expose occupants to significant levels of methane. Som
e buildings have specially engineered recovery systems below their basements to
actively capture this gas and vent it away from the building.
Methane gas explosions are responsible for many deadly mining disasters.[64] A m
ethane gas explosion was the cause of the Upper Big Branch coal mine disaster in
West Virginia on April 5, 2010, killing 25.[65]
Extraterrestrial
Methane has been
stem, as well as
ave been created

methane
detected or is believed to exist on all planets of the solar sy
on most of the larger moons. In most cases, it is believed to h
by abiotic processes. Possible exceptions are Mars and Titan.

Mercury the tenuous atmosphere contains trace amounts of methane.[66]

Venus the atmosphere contains a large amount of methane from 60 km (37 mi) to th
e surface according to data collected by the Pioneer Venus Large Probe Neutral M
ass Spectrometer[67]
Moon traces are outgassed from the surface[68]
Methane (CH4) on Mars potential sources and sinks.
Mars the Martian atmosphere contains 10 nmol/mol methane.[69] The source of meth
ane on Mars has not been determined. Recent research suggests that methane may c
ome from volcanoes, fault lines, or methanogens,[70] or that it may be a byprodu
ct of electrical discharges from dust devils and dust storms,[71] or that it may
be the result of UV radiation.[72] In January 2009, NASA scientists announced t
hat they had discovered that the planet often vents methane into the atmosphere
in specific areas, leading some to speculate this may be a sign of biological ac
tivity going on below the surface.[73] Analysis of observations made by a Weathe
r Research and Forecasting model for Mars (MarsWRF) and related Mars general cir
culation model (MGCM) suggests that it is potentially possible to isolate methan
e plume source locations to within tens of kilometers, which is within the rovin
g capabilities of future Mars rovers.[74] The Curiosity rover, which landed on M
ars in August 2012, is able to make measurements that distinguish between differ
ent isotopologues of methane;[75] but even if the mission is to determine that m
icroscopic Martian life is the source of the methane, the life forms likely resi
de far below the surface, outside of the rover's reach.[76] Curiosity's Sample A
nalysis at Mars (SAM) instrument is capable of tracking the presence of methane
over time to determine if it is constant, variable, seasonal, or random, providi
ng further clues about its source.[77] The first measurements with the Tunable L
aser Spectrometer (TLS) indicated that there is less than 5 ppb of methane at th

e landing site at the point of the measurement.[78][79][80][81]

Methane measurements in the atmosphere of Mars by the Curiosity rover.
The Mars Trace Gas Mission orbiter planned to launch in 2016 would further study
the methane,[82][83] as well as its decomposition products such as formaldehyde
and methanol. Alternatively, these compounds may instead be replenished by volc
anic or other geological means, such as serpentinization.[46] On July 19, 2013,
NASA scientists reported finding "not much methane" (i.e., "an upper limit of 2.
7 parts per billion of methane") around the Gale Crater area where the Curiosity
rover landed in August 2012.[84][85][86] On September 19, 2013, NASA scientists
, on the basis of further measurements by Curiosity, reported no detection of at
mospheric methane with a measured value of 0.180.67 ppbv corresponding to an uppe
r limit of only 1.3 ppbv (95% confidence limit) and, as a result, conclude that
the probability of current methanogenic microbial activity on Mars is reduced.[8
7][88][89] On 16 December 2014, NASA reported the Curiosity rover detected a "te
nfold spike", likely localized, in the amount of methane in the Martian atmosphe
re. Sample measurements taken "a dozen times over 20 months" showed increases in
late 2013 and early 2014, averaging "7 parts of methane per billion in the atmo
sphere." Before and after that, readings averaged around one tenth that level.[9
0][91]
Saturn the atmosphere contains 4500  2000 ppm methane[92]
Enceladus the atmosphere contains 1.7% methane[93]
Iapetus[citation needed]
Titan the atmosphere contains 1.6% methane and thousands of methane lakes have b
een detected on the surface.[94] In the upper atmosphere the methane is converte
d into more complex molecules including acetylene, a process that also produces
molecular hydrogen. There is evidence that acetylene and hydrogen are recycled i
nto methane near the surface. This suggests the presence either of an exotic cat
alyst, or an unfamiliar form of methanogenic life.[95] Methane showers, probably
prompted by changing seasons, have also been observed.[96] On October 24, 2014,
methane was found in polar clouds on Titan.[97][98]
Polar clouds, made of methane, on Titan (left) compared with polar clouds on Ear
th (right).
Uranus the atmosphere contains 2.3% methane[99]
Ariel methane is believed to be a constituent of Ariel's surface ice
Miranda[citation needed]
Oberon about 20% of Oberon's surface ice is composed of methane related carbon/n
itrogen compounds
Titania about 20% of Titania's surface ice is composed of methane related organi
c compounds[citation needed]
Umbriel methane is a constituent of Umbriel's surface ice
Neptune the atmosphere contains 1.5  0.5% methane[100]
Triton Triton has a tenuous nitrogen atmosphere with small amounts of methane ne
ar the surface.[101][102]
Pluto spectroscopic analysis of Pluto's surface reveals it to contain traces of
methane[103][104]
Charon methane is believed present on Charon, but it is not completely confirmed
[105]
Eris infrared light from the object revealed the presence of methane ice[106]
Halley's Comet
Comet Hyakutake terrestrial observations found ethane and methane in the comet[1
07]
Extrasolar planets methane was detected on extrasolar planet HD 189733b; this is
the first detection of an organic compound on a planet outside the solar system
. Its origin is unknown, since the planet's high temperature (700 C) would normal
ly favor the formation of carbon monoxide instead.[108] Research indicates that
meteoroids slamming against exoplanet atmospheres could add organic gases such a
s methane, making the exoplanets look as though they are inhabited by life, even
if they are not.[109]

Interstellar clouds[110]
See also
Portal icon
Sustainable development portal
2007 Zasyadko mine disaster
Abiogenic petroleum origin
Aerobic methane production
Anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic respiration
Arctic methane release
Biogas
Coal Oil Point seep field
Energy density
Global Methane Initiative
Greenhouse gas
Halomethane, halogenated methane derivatives.
Industrial gas
Lake Kivu (more general: limnic eruption)
List of alkanes
Methanation
Methane clathrate, ice that contains methane.
Methane (data page)
Methane on Mars: atmosphere
Methane on Mars: climate
Methanogen, archaea that produce methane.
Methanogenesis, microbes that produce methane.
Methanotroph, bacteria that grow with methane.
Methyl group, a functional group related to methane.
Organic gas
Thomas Gold
Notes
Jump up ^ There are many serpentinization reactions. Olivine is a solid solution
between forsterite and fayalite whose general formula is (Fe,Mg)2SiO4. The reac
tion producing methane from olivine can be written as: Forsterite + Fayalite + W
ater + Carbonic acid Serpentine + Magnetite + Methane , or (in balanced form): 1
8 Mg2SiO4 + 6 Fe2SiO4 + 26 H2O + CO2 12 Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 + 4 Fe3O4 + CH4
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External link
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Look up methane in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
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Catalytic converion of methane to more ueful chemical and fuel
CDC Handbook for Methane Control in Mining
[how] v t e
Alkane
[how] v t e
Fuel ga
[how] v t e
Molecule detected in outer pace
[how] v t e
Inorganic compound of carbon and related ion
Authority control
GND: 4169678-5 NDL: 00576602
Categorie: Carbon compoundAnaerobic digetionFuel gaFuelGreenhoue gaeIndu
trial gaeMethaneGaeou ignaling molecule
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