What is the chemical composition of natural gas?

Natural gas primarily consists of methane (CH4), with smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and impurities.

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Its primary component is methane, which typically makes up about 70-90% of natural gas. Methane is a hydrocarbon, meaning it is composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Specifically, each molecule of methane consists of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.

In addition to methane, natural gas also contains smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons. These can include ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), and butane (C4H10), among others. These hydrocarbons are similar to methane in that they are composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms, but they have different structures and properties. For example, propane and butane are often used as fuels for heating and cooking.

Natural gas also contains various impurities. These can include nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapour, and sometimes trace amounts of helium and other noble gases. These impurities are typically removed from natural gas before it is used, in a process known as 'sweetening'. This is because they can interfere with the combustion of the gas, reducing its efficiency and potentially causing damage to equipment.

In summary, natural gas is a complex mixture of different substances. However, its main component is methane, a simple hydrocarbon. The other components of natural gas, including other hydrocarbons and various impurities, are present in much smaller amounts.