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Methane (CH4) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is lighter than air. It is the main constituent of natural and coal gas and is a by-product in the decay of organic matter. It forms an explosive and flammable mixture with air at low concentrations. Its main uses are in the petrochemical industry as a raw material for the production of Methanol, ammonia, acetylene, chlorinated methanes and carbon black. It is also used as a fuel in the form of Natural Gas. (See Table 1 below.)

Molecular weight: 16.043Critical temperature:190.55 K
Melting point: 90.7 KCritical pressure:4.595 MPa
Normal boiling point:111.63 KCritical density:562.2 kg/m3
Normal vapor density:0.72 kg/m3(@273.15 K; 1.0135 MPa)

Table 1. Methane: Values of thermophysical properties of the saturated liquid and vapor

Thermodynamic properties from Angus, S., deReuck, K. M. and Armstrong, B. (1978); transport properties from Friend, D. G., Ely, J. F. and Ingham, H. (1989) and surface tension from Beaton, C. F. and Hewitt, G. F. (1989).

REFERENCES

Angus, S., deReuck, K. M. and Armstrong, B. (1978) International Thermodynamic Tables of the Fluid State-5, Methane. Pergamon Press, Oxford.

Beaton, C. F. and Hewitt, G. F. (1989) Physical Property Data for the Design Engineer. Hemisphere Publishing Composition, New York.

Friend, D. G., Ely, J. F. and Inghams, H. (1989) Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 18, 583.

References

  1. Angus, S., deReuck, K. M. and Armstrong, B. (1978) International Thermodynamic Tables of the Fluid State-5, Methane. Pergamon Press, Oxford.
  2. Beaton, C. F. and Hewitt, G. F. (1989) Physical Property Data for the Design Engineer. Hemisphere Publishing Composition, New York.
  3. Friend, D. G., Ely, J. F. and Inghams, H. (1989) Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 18, 583.
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