Natural gas, as we know, can be composed of anything, and often in its original form it is somewhat different from the gas that comes to us through pipelines. It is also clear that differences in the composition of gas from different fields
So, what are the properties of the individual substances that make up natural gas? Let's start with the most common methane. Its formula is CH4. A colorless gas that is lighter than air and has no odor. Therefore, sometimes it is necessary to add various fragrances-perfumes that smell very unpleasant to it: so that gas leakage and leaks in the cylinder are immediately noticeable. Methane has no color. And although methane is highly flammable, it can be stored and transported quite easily.
Next on our list is ethane. Its formula is C2H6. This gas is also odorless and colorless, but slightly heavier than air. Ethane is a combustible gas, but for some reason it cannot be used as a fuel.
But the well-known propane is used as a fuel. Its formula is C3H8. It is a poisonous gas, also without "rings" - smell or color. But propane has one very useful property. It can be liquefied at a relatively low pressure, and this makes it possible to easily separate propane from impurities on an industrial scale and further transport it.
Higher gas density butane. Its formula is C4H10. It is close enough in properties to propane, but it is heavier than air, about twice.
Carbon dioxide, with the well-known formula CO2 (for those who have forgotten chemistry, the formula for carbon monoxide is almost the same - CO). This gas has no smell, no color, but it has a taste - sour. And unlike other constituents of natural gas, carbon dioxide does not undergo combustion. Helium is also non-flammable. By the way, CO2 is considered one of the least dangerous and toxic gases among natural gases.
Helium it is also non-toxic, however, with a slight increase in pressure, it causes a state of anesthesia in humans, like many other inert gases. It is light, and is the second lightest after hydrogen, colorless, tasteless and odorless. As stated above, it is non-flammable. The formula for helium is He.
Another colorless gas, but with a rather pleasant smell in the natural composition, is ethylene. Its formula is C2H4. In terms of its chemical and physical properties, it is quite close to ethane, except that its density is less, and therefore combustibility.
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S). A heavy gas, colorless and with a characteristic odor of rotten eggs. Even at the slightest concentration, hydrogen sulfide can cause long-term paralysis of the olfactory nerve. Very poisonous: in slightly large doses it can kill!
But acetylene with the formula C2H2 is not included in the composition of natural gas, however, it is similar to it in properties. It is extremely flammable and incredibly explosive. It can explode even with stronger compression. Therefore, it is not used in everyday life: the danger of an explosion or fire is too great. But it is used in metal welding.
