Methane, CH₄

Methane, CH₄

Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, a colourless, odourless and highly flammable gas. Methane is the main component of natural gas and is widely used as a fuel, as a starting material for chemical compounds and as a component of biogas in various industries.

Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon and an alkane. It is colourless, odourless, lighter than air and highly flammable, forming an explosive mixture with air (flash point about 5-17%). In the combustion reaction, methane produces a high amount of heat energy, which is why it is used as an efficient fuel. Methane is a reducing gas that reacts strongly with oxidants such as chlorine and liquid oxygen.


Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with a warming effect about 25 times greater than that of carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Methane remains in the atmosphere for about 10 years.


Chemical symbol of methane: CH₄
Methane UN number: 1971
Valve: DIN 477 No. 1 RPV
Density of methane: 0,7168 kg/m³ (at normal pressure and 0 °C)
Relative density of methane: about 0,55 (air = 1)
Boiling point of methane at 0,101 MPa: -161,6 °C

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