methane
Methane is a colourless, odourless gas that is the main fuel part of biogas.
- What it’s made of: Methane is a simple compound with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4).
- How it forms in biogas: In places with little or no oxygen (like inside a biogas plant or deep in a dung heap), certain microbes break down waste and produce methane.
- Why it’s useful: Methane burns easily and gives a good amount of heat, which is why biogas can be used for cooking, heating, and generating electricity.
- Where else methane is found: It is also the main part of natural gas used in homes and industries.
- A key point to remember: Methane is a cleaner fuel than coal or wood (less smoke), but if it escapes into the air without burning, it acts as a strong greenhouse gas.
So, methane is valuable as a fuel when we collect and burn it safely—turning waste into useful energy.