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Methane

Methane is a colorless, flammable, odorless gas.

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Methane

Formula: CH4

Methane 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.