Methane production in home and laboratory conditions

Methane - a colorless gas that burns with a blue flame, the main structural component of natural (77-90%) and associated gases, is explosive.

Methane production

This gas is formed due to methane, as well as other types of fermentation of various organic compounds under the influence of the bacterium Cellulosae metanicus :

(С6Н10О5) н + нН2О - 3нСН4 + 3нСО2.

Methane is sometimes called a swamp gas, because it is formed during the methane fermentation of organic substances on the bottom of natural reservoirs. In addition, methane is formed in the prednies of ruminants and the intestines of animals during fermentation of plant food. A huge amount of methane is formed here in pathologies - atony of the prednagus, toxic dyspepsia, feeding with poor-quality feeds.

Methane accounts for one-third of the total weight of the pancreas. When decaying the manure of agricultural animals, a large amount of methane is formed, which, with the help of special installations, is used for heating livestock buildings.

Methane production through thermal processing of oil, natural gas, co-coking and hydrogenation of hard coal (27-38%) yields significant volumes. This gas forms the basis of the atmosphere of some planets (Jupiter, Titan, Saturn).

Methane production at home

To obtain this gas, it is necessary to take some soil from the bottom of the swamp and place it in a jar, then pour water. Next, the dishes are tightly clogged and a warm and dark place is placed. In a few days on the surface of the water you will notice the appearance of small bubbles. Gas from the can can be removed with the help of a gas duct.

Methane production in the laboratory

As a rule, it is synthesized from sodium acetate under the Dumas reaction. In a dry tube, 10 g of a mixture is made, which consists of one part of sodium acetate and two parts of soda lime (saturated solution of sodium hydroxide with calcium oxide in the ratio 1: 1). The tube is capped with a gas outlet tube and fixed in a tripod. The mixture is heated. It should be noted that first heat the tube, and then - the mixture. Methane, which is formed in this case, first drops into a test tube with water, then in turn into test tubes filled with solutions of potassium permanganate and iodine with potassium iodide.

Methane is formed due to thermal hydrolysis of sodium acetate with alkali:

Sodium acetate + sodium hydroxide-methane + sodium carbonate

Ethylene production from methane

Ethylene is an important raw material for the production of polystyrene and polyethylene. Modern industrial methods for producing ethylene are based on the vapor-phase cracking of light oil fractions. A promising alternative to this method can be the production of ethylene from methane. Unlike oil, natural gas, the main structural component of which is CH4, is considered as a renewable source of raw materials. In this case, the reaction takes place at a temperature of 500-9000 degrees in the presence of O2 and manganese or cadmium oxides. The resulting gases are separated by absorption, deep cooling, and rectification under pressure.

In laboratory conditions, ethylene is produced by the methods of dehydration of ethanol and ethane dehydrogenation. The resulting ethylene can be used for the synthesis of ethanol, polyethylene, ethylbenzene, vinyl chloride, antifreezes (substances that reduce the freezing temperature of water in motors) and other organic compounds. In medicine and veterinary medicine, ethylene is used as a narcotic drug, in plant growing - to accelerate the ripening of fruits (oranges, lemons, tomatoes, bananas, grapefruits, etc.).

Methane application

In addition, that methane is a valuable fuel, it is also a raw material for obtaining methyl alcohol, chloroform, formaldehyde, plastics, etc. Acetylene and other compounds are synthesized from methane.