Methane - Members of Alkanes
It is also termed as marsh gas.
(i) Industrial method of preparation: Mathane gas is acquired on a large scale from natural gas by liquefaction. It can as well be obtained by the application of following methods,
(a) From carbon monoxide : A mixture of carbonmonoxide and hydrogen is passed over a catalyst consisting of nickel and carbon at 250oC when methane is formed.
(b) Bacterial reduction of cellulose material present in sewage water: This process is being utilized in England for production of methane.
(c) Synthesis : via striking an electric field among carbon electrodes in an atmosphere of hydrogen at 1200oC, methane is formed.
Through passing a mixture of hydrogen sulphide and carbon disulphide vapour via red hot copper, methane is formed.