Liquid Methane: Features and Applications

Previously, when processing oil, enterprises were forced to burn liquid methane with the help of torches, since they could not transfer condensate for subsequent petrochemical processing. Now he has learned to transport and use in many areas of industry. At the same time, it is well stored and does not form harmful impurities when burned.

Physical and chemical properties of methane

Methane refers to the simplest hydrocarbons. It is lighter than air, non-toxic, poorly soluble in water, does not have a tangible smell. It is believed that methane is not dangerous to humans, but there are cases of its impact on the central and autonomic nervous system. Accumulating in an enclosed space, with an air concentration of 4% to 17% becomes explosive. Therefore, to detect it by man (without instruments), methane is often added with special substances, reminiscent of the smell of gas. Refers to greenhouse gases. Methane shows weak narcotic properties, which are weakened by low solubility in water.

By origin as a result of compounds with various substances and chemical reactions is divided into:

• Biogenic (organic);
• Abiogenic (inorganic);
• Bacterial (vital activity of microorganisms);
• Thermogenic (thermochemical processes).

This gas is also produced in the laboratory by heating soda lime or anhydrous sodium hydroxide with frozen acetic acid.

Methane in a liquid state takes up 600 times less volume than in a gaseous one. Therefore, for convenience of transportation and storage, it is liquefied. Liquid methane is a colorless liquid that does not have a smell. It retains almost all the properties of the gas. The critical pressure of liquid methane is 4.58 MPa (the minimum at which it turns into a liquid).

Existence in nature

Methane is a constituent and is the main constituent of the following gases:

• Natural (up to 98%);
• Oil (40-90%);
• Marsh (99%);
• Mines (35-50%);
• Mud volcanoes (more than 94%).

It is also contained in the water of oceans, lakes, seas. It is present in the atmosphere of such planets as Earth, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, and in the surface gases of the Moon. A large number is contained in coal seams. This makes mining in closed drifts an explosive activity.

Liquefied natural gas technology

Pure methane is produced from natural gas, removing other components from it: ethane, propane, butane and nitrogen. To produce liquid methane, the gas is compressed, followed by cooling. The process of liquefaction is performed by cycles. At each stage the volume will be reduced to 12 times. In the liquid, it turns into the last cycle. For liquefaction, different types of installations are used, among them:

• Throttling;
• Turbine-vortex;
• Turbo expanders.

The following schemes can be used:

• Cascading;
• Expansive.

In the cascade scheme, three cooling agents are used. At the same time, the temperature of liquid methane decreases step by step. This technology requires large capital expenditures. At present, this process has been improved and the mixture of refrigerants (ethane and propane) was immediately applied. This scheme has become self-cooling, since these substances are derived from liquefied natural gas. The costs have slightly decreased, but still remain high.

When using the expansion scheme, more economical centrifugal machines are used. The mixture is pre-cleaned from water and other contaminants and liquefied under pressure by heat exchange with the cold expanded gas stream. However, this process requires more energy expenditure than in the cascade scheme (by 25-35%). But at the same time, capital costs for compressors and equipment operation are saved.

The temperature of liquid methane obtained as a result of the above process is on average 162 degrees.

Methane application

The field of application of methane, both in the gaseous and in the liquid state, is very extensive. It is used as fuel, in the form of raw materials for industry, in everyday life, as anabolic steroids for building muscle mass.

Incomplete combustion from methane produces carbon black, which is widely used in industry: in the production of rubber, ink, shoe polish, etc. They are also used for the production of cyanide and acetic acid, methanol, acetylene, ammonia, carbon disulfide, as a combustible gas (perpetual Fire).

Liquid methane is used as a motor fuel for cars. Its octane number is 15% higher than that of gasoline, as well as high calorific value and anti-knock properties. According to reviews, liquid methane burns almost completely and with proper installation of appropriate equipment, the car has a relatively significant saving compared to gasoline (when traveling over long distances).

This gas is actively used for the production of drugs that increase muscle mass. On its basis are issued such funds as "Dianoged", "Danabol", "Nerobol", which are in greatest demand. It is believed that these drugs have a positive effect on the human body:

• Strengthen the bones;
• Stimulate the formation of sexual characteristics;
• Burn fatty layers;
• Increase endurance;
• Accelerate the synthesis of protein.

However, it is important to remember that all drugs have side effects, so take them under the supervision of a doctor.

Proceeding from the above, it can be concluded that the production of liquid methane is a very promising direction of modern industry.