Energy Density of Methane

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Bibliographic Entry	Result (w/surrounding text)	Standardized Result
Dorin, Henry & Demmin, Peter & Gabriel, Dorothy L. Chemistry-The Study of Matter 4thEdition. Needham, Massachusetts. Englewood Cliff, New Jersey. Prentice Hall, Inc. 1987	Object Energy Density (kJ/mol) Methane: -892	55.7 MJ/kg
Zittel, Werner & Wurster, Reinhold & Bolkow, Ludwig. Hydrogen in the Energy Sector. Systemtechnik Gmbitt. 1996	Energy Carrier Energy Density by Weight (kWh/kg) Methane: 13.9	50 MJ/kg
Thomas, George. Overview of Storage Development DOE Hydrogen Program. Livermore, CA. Sandia National Laboratories. 2000	Mass Energy Density (MJ/kg) Methane gas: 50	50 MJ/kg
O'Connor, Rod. Fundamentals of Chemistry 2ndEdition. New York City, New York. York Graphic Services, Inc. 1977	Methane Delta H (Combustion) −212.7 kcal/mol	55.6 MJ/kg
Bossel, Ulf & Eliasson, Baldur. Energy and The Hydrogen Economy. Oberrohrdorf, Switzerland. ABB Switzerland Ltd. 2003	Methane (MJ/kg) 55.6	55.6 MJ/kg

Energy density is defined as the amount of energy per mass. In the International Metric Units (SI), energy density is measured in MJ/kg or MJ/L. Methane is composed of CH₄. The energy density of methane is 50–55.5 MJ/kg.

Methane is a natural gas fuel. Today, methane provides approximately 30% of America's energy. Methane is mostly used in homes, the gas used to cook or for heating system. Methane is one of the fuels that will not run out. It is so commonly found on the earth. There is actually so much on earth that it can be dangerous one day.

Methane is not a reliable fuel to be used by all matters. Methane can be easily combusted, and under a large amount it can cause huge explosions. A little spark or under exposure to sunlight, it can explode. If methane replaces oil, transporting it would mean a fortune to do so. If it leaks into the atmosphere, global warming that can be stronger than ever. Maintenance must be done at all time to keep it from leaking.

Billy Wan -- 2004