CH4
Natural gas molecule
CH4 is the molecular formula for methane, the simplest hydrocarbon—one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.
Methane is the primary component of natural gas, used for heating and electricity generation.
It's also a potent greenhouse gas, released by livestock, landfills, and wetlands.
CH4 emissions from agriculture contribute significantly to climate change.
Subterranean hydrocarbon fuel
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- energyPower to do work
- heatTransferred thermal energy
- powerEnergy transfer rate
biogas · landfill gas · calorific · BTU · thermal · burner · stove · furnace
Sixth element, atomic symbol C
- hydrogenSimplest atomic element
- tetrahedronFour-faced polyhedron
- alkaneSaturated hydrocarbon series
- covalentSharing electrons between atoms
saturated · organic · compound · hydrocarbons · valence · symmetry · molecular formula · tetrahedral
Prone to ignition
- explosiveProne to sudden detonation
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- leakEscape through a breach
- combustibleCapable of burning
asphyxiant · confined space · ventilation · flashpoint · volatile · odorless · odorant · safety
Substances released into air
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- carbon footprintTotal greenhouse gases produced
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
CO2 · nitrous oxide · feedback loops · IPCC · Paris Agreement · Kyoto Protocol · troposphere · anthropogenic
Extracting gas via pressure
- shale gasFuel from fine-grained formations
- drillingHole-making by rotation
- wellheadSurface opening of bore
- pipelineLong-distance fluid transport tube
reservoir · subsurface · seismic · hydraulic fracturing · horizontal drilling · coal bed · offshore · onshore
Not requiring oxygen
- landfillWaste burial ground
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- livestockDomesticated farm animals
- ruminantsMulti-stomached grazing mammals
permafrost · rice cultivation · decomposition · digesters · sewage · compost · swamp gas · biogenic
natural gas
Subterranean hydrocarbon fuel
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- energyPower to do work
- heatTransferred thermal energy
power · biogas · landfill gas · calorific · BTU · thermal · burner · stove · furnace · heating
carbon
Sixth element, atomic symbol C
- hydrogenSimplest atomic element
- tetrahedronFour-faced polyhedron
- alkaneSaturated hydrocarbon series
covalent · saturated · organic · compound · hydrocarbons · valence · symmetry · molecular formula · tetrahedral · chemical structure
flammable
Prone to ignition
combustible · asphyxiant · confined space · ventilation · flashpoint · volatile · odorless · odorant · safety · concentration
emissions
Substances released into air
- global warmingRising planetary temperatures
- climate changePlanetary atmospheric transformation
- carbon footprintTotal greenhouse gases produced
atmosphere · CO2 · nitrous oxide · feedback loops · IPCC · Paris Agreement · Kyoto Protocol · troposphere · anthropogenic · rice paddies
fracking
Extracting gas via pressure
- shale gasFuel from fine-grained formations
- drillingHole-making by rotation
- wellheadSurface opening of bore
pipeline · reservoir · subsurface · seismic · hydraulic fracturing · horizontal drilling · coal bed · offshore · onshore · production
anaerobic
Not requiring oxygen
ruminants · permafrost · rice cultivation · decomposition · digesters · sewage · compost · swamp gas · biogenic · thermogenic
- Chemical FormulasH2O, CO2, NaCl, O2, N2
- natural gasBTU, therm, LNG, liquefied natural gas, CNG
- Climate Forcerscarbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, CO2, ozone, greenhouse gases
- Chemical SymbolsH, C, N, O, S
- Anaerobic Processesanaerobic respiration, anaerobe, glycolysis, fermentation, denitrification
CH4polymers
Large chain-like molecules
crude oil · polyethylene · asphalt · octane · kerosene
CH4oxygen
Element eight, colorless gas
O2 · carbon sink · carbon sequestration · carbon capture · trees