ABSTRACT
Natural gas is commonly a mixture of light hydrocarbons, but methane is the predominant component and the lightest. Being a combustible gas of small molecular size (Figure 4.1), methane diffuses fast, mixes readily with the oxygen in the air, and its combustion proceeds quite readily. Hence, high energy release rates are comparatively easy to obtain. In addition, methane is the feedstock for synthesis of a number of chemicals. The applications of those chemicals range from electronic equipment to fertilizers, including specialty gases and acids. Ideal combustion of methane, without excess air, produces water and carbon dioxide:
CH O N H O CO N4 2 2 2 2 22 3 76 2 7 52+ ⋅ + → + +( . ) .
