metan

Metan, known in chemistry as methane, is the simplest alkane and the main component of natural gas. Its chemical formula is CH4. It is a colorless, odorless gas at room temperature and standard pressure, with a boiling point of -161.5°C and a density around 0.554 kg/m3 at STP. The molecule adopts a tetrahedral geometry with four C–H single bonds.

Metan occurs naturally in multiple contexts. It is produced biologically by methanogenic archaea during anaerobic decomposition of organic matter, a process common in wetlands, rice paddies, and the digestive systems of ruminant animals. It is also released during fossil fuel extraction and from landfills, municipal waste, and other anaerobic environments. In addition, methane occurs in natural gas deposits and can be released from geological sources such as methane hydrates.

Industrially, metan is primarily obtained from natural gas and used as a fuel for electricity generation, heating, and cooking. It also serves as a key chemical feedstock for the production of hydrogen via steam methane reforming and as a precursor for chemicals such as methanol and various hydrocarbons. Because it burns relatively cleanly compared with coal, it is often promoted as a transitional fuel, though its role as a greenhouse gas complicates its environmental profile.

Methan is a potent greenhouse gas with a higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a 100-year horizon, though it has a shorter atmospheric lifetime. Leaks and releases from gas infrastructure, manure management, and landfills contribute to atmospheric concentrations, motivating efforts in capture, detection, and methane abatement.

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