Methane is a colourless, odourless 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.

The chemical formula of methane is represented as CH4.

Chemical Properties of Methane

Methane is a gas that is lighter than air and has a specific gravity of 0.554. It is only slightly soluble in water. It burns readily in air, forming carbon dioxide and water vapour.

Methane flames are pale, slightly luminous and very hot. The boiling point of methane is −162 °C (−259.6 °F) and the melting point is −182.5 °C (−296.5 °F). In general, methane is very stable, but mixtures of methane and air, when the methane content is between 5 and 14 percent by volume, are explosive! Explosions of such mixtures have been frequent in coal mines and collieries and have been the cause of many mine disasters.

Synergen Met’s Plasma (methane pyrolysis) process enables CH4 to be separated into its base elements, specifically Carbon (C) (Black or Solid) and the ever-valuable Hydrogen (H2).