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 250^oC  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 1200^oC, methane is formed.    

Through passing a mixture of hydrogen sulphide and carbon disulphide vapour via red hot copper, methane is formed.