CAS Number 74-82-8 corresponds to Methane, the simplest and most abundant hydrocarbon found naturally on Earth. Here are the key characteristics and details about Methane:
Chemical Formula:CH4
Physical Properties:
Appearance: Methane is a colorless, odorless gas at standard temperature and pressure.
Boiling Point: -161.5°C (-258.7°F) at atmospheric pressure
Melting Point: -182.5°C (-296.5°F)
Density: About 0.717 times that of air, allowing it to rise in the atmosphere.
Vapor Pressure: Exists as a gas under normal conditions; high vapor pressure is irrelevant due to its gaseous state.
Chemical Properties:
Combustibility: Methane is highly combustible and burns readily in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor (CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O).
Reactivity: Generally unreactive under ordinary conditions but can participate in reactions under specific conditions, such as catalytic conversion to more complex hydrocarbons or oxidation under high temperatures.
Uses and Applications:
Energy Source: Primarily used as a fuel source, methane is a major constituent of natural gas, used for heating, cooking, and electricity generation.
Industrial Feedstock: Converted into other chemicals like methanol, which is further processed into formaldehyde, acetic acid, and other compounds.
Agriculture: Used in biogas production through anaerobic digestion of organic waste, providing renewable energy.
Fossil Fuel Extraction: Injected into oil wells to enhance oil recovery (a process known as enhanced oil recovery or EOR).
Environmental Impact:
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential over 25 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year time frame. Its release into the atmosphere contributes significantly to climate change.
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