Cleaner fuel than oil, stronger GHG than CO2
Methane is a relatively potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential.[1] When averaged over 100 years each kg of CH4 warms the Earth 25[2] times as much as the same mass of CO2, however there is approximately 220 times as much CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere as methane.[3]
In the combustion of methane, several steps are involved:
Methane is believed to form a formaldehyde (HCHO or H2CO). The formaldehyde gives a formyl radical (HCO), which then forms carbon monoxide (CO). The process is called oxidative pyrolysis:
CH4 + O2 > CO + H2 + H2O
Following oxidative pyrolysis, the H2 oxidizes, forming H2O, replenishing the active species, and releasing heat. This occurs very quickly, usually in significantly less than a millisecond.
2H2 + O2 >2H2O
Finally, the CO oxidizes, forming CO2 and releasing more heat. This process is generally slower than the other chemical steps, and typically requires a few to several milliseconds to occur.
2CO + O2 >2CO2
Methane is important for electrical generation by burning it as a fuel in a gas turbine or steam boiler. Compared to other hydrocarbon fuels, burning methane produces less carbon dioxide for each unit of heat released. Also, methane's heat of combustion is about 802 kJ/mol, which is lower than any other hydrocarbon, but if a ratio is made with the molecular mass (16.0 g/mol) divided by the heat of combustion (802 kJ/mol) it is found that methane, being the simplest hydrocarbon, actually produces the most heat per unit mass than other complex hydrocarbons.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane
Calif. Power Company Turns To Cow Power
PG&E To Buy Natural Gas Made From Dairy Farm Manure
cbsnews.com
AGRICULTURE
270 cows generating electricity for farm
Methane digester also breaks down waste
sfgate.com
Beef Cow-Calf Herd Feeding Workshops
excess nutrients come out front or back end. as methane or manure. • improve feed efficiency, improve gain &. reduce methane GHG emission 15-35% ...
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