Chemical reactions. The primary chemical reactions of methane are combustion, steam reforming to syngas, and halogenation. In general, methane reactions are difficult to control.

Combustion Animation Methane releases its chemical energy by undergoing hydrocarbon combustion. Below is a hydrocarbon combustion animation showing the net reaction that occurs when methane combines with oxygen. The hydrocarbon combustion reaction releases heat energy and is an example of an exothermic reaction.

Explanation: Burning of methane is exothermic reaction as well as combustion reaction. It shows that this is exothermic reaction and it occurs in presence of oxygen so it is also combustion reaction.

The general equation for a complete combustion reaction is: Fuel + O2 → CO2 + H2O.

A burning candle or other fire is an example of a chemical chain reaction. When a flammable material is surrounded by enough oxygen and is exposed to a source of heat or temperature above the flash point, a fire starts.

The planet Uranus indeed contains a significant amount of hydrogen and methane, both highly flammable gases. However, the burning of methane or hydrogen requires oxygen. We may be tempted to ignore oxygen’s role in a chemical reaction since it seems to be always there.

In sufficient amounts of oxygen, methane burns to give off carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). When it undergoes combustion it produces a great amount of heat, which makes it very useful as a fuel source. Methane is a very effective greenhouse gas.

Methanotrophs oxidize methane by first initiating reduction of an oxygen atom to H2O2 and transformation of methane to CH3OH using methane monooxygenases (MMOs). Furthermore, two types of MMO have been isolated from methanotrophs: soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) and particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO).

If methane is to be stripped out of the atmosphere, taking advantage of natural air flow provides a viable solution. Natural processes destroy roughly 10% of the methane in the atmosphere every year6.

Global warming is an aspect of climate change, referring to the long-term rise of the planet’s temperatures. It is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, mainly from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, and farming.

The largest source of greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the United States is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation. EPA tracks total U.S. emissions by publishing the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks.

Electricity and Heat Production (25% of 2010 global greenhouse gas emissions): The burning of coal, natural gas, and oil for electricity and heat is the largest single source of global greenhouse gas emissions.

carbon dioxide

Greenhouse Gases. Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that capture the earth’s infrared radiation and warm the surface of the earth. However, methane and nitrous oxide are the GHGs most associated with pork production. Pound for pound, methane contributes 21 times the impact of carbon dioxide to global warming …

Overall emissions from pork production are in the range of 7-12 kg CO2-eq per kilogram of meat, less than a third of the emissions from beef.

Chicken, eggs, and pork nearly always have a lower footprint than beef and lamb: there is some, but not much overlap between the worst poultry and pork producers, and the best beef and lamb producers.

Not only did indoor-housing make it easier on the pigs because the environment could be regulated during the extremes in weather – it was also easier on us and the other caretakers, because we no longer had to fight the cold, heat, wind, rain or snow. The sows responded to this new environment by raising more pigs.

Boost consumption by adding up to a half-pound of whey, milk replacer or liquid protein supplements on top of his food at each feeding. Or, crack two raw eggs over his food each time you feed him. A pig must always have fresh, clean water.

Pigs are very sensitive to temperature. They can’t sweat like people can, so it’s important that they stay cool enough in the summer. They also don’t have thick hair coats (like these beef cows), so they need to be kept warm in the winter. This is one reason that pigs are kept inside barns.

To ensure the safety of other pigs and the stockpeople who care for the boars they are best kept in individual pens. Boar pens are much larger than a mating or sow stall, allowing freedom of movement. Boars are also used to determine if sows are on heat.