| When we say that methane
is combustible, it means that it is possible to burn it.
Chemically, this process consists of a reaction between
methane and oxygen. When this reaction takes place, the
result is carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O),
and a great deal of energy. Chemists would write the following
to represent the combustion of methane:
CH4[g] +
2 O2[g] -> CO2[g] + 2 H2O[l]
+ 891 kJ
 |
| Source: Duke Energy
Gas Transmission Canada |
That is, one molecule of methane (the [g] referred
to above means it is gaseous form) combined with two
oxygen atoms, react to form a carbon dioxide molecule,
two water molecules (the [l] above means that the water
molecules are in liquid form, although it is usually
evaporated during the reaction to give off steam) and
891 kilajoules (kJ) of energy. Natural gas is the cleanest
burning fossil fuel. Coal and oil, the other fossil
fuels, are more chemically complicated than natural
gas, and when combusted, they release a variety of potentially
harmful chemicals into the air. Burning methane releases
only carbon dioxide and water. Since natural gas is
mostly methane, the combustion of natural gas releases
fewer byproducts than other fossil fuels.
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