ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly discusses the application, chemical properties and physical properties of methane. It presents detailed information on the air analysis, and analysis of aqueous samples and sludge digester gas samples of methane. Methane is prime constituent of natural gas and formed from petroleum cracking, decay of animal and plant remains, and anaerobic fermentation of municipality landfill contents. It is colorless and odorless gas; lighter than air; soluble in organic solvents, slightly soluble in water; and flammable gas. Aqueous samples from wells are collected using a sufficiently submerged pump. Sludge digester gas samples are collected in sealed containers, such as glass sampling bulbs with three-way stopcocks. The containers are flushed with the digester gas or the gases from the aqueous samples to purge out air from the containers, prior to sample collection. Analytical methodologies are similar for both the aqueous and the sludge-digester gas samples.
