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Methane gas is a form of greenhouse gas that is over 20 times more effective than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Methane gas can remain in the atmosphere for about 9 to 15 years. Methane is emitted from a number of natural and human-influenced sources.ethane gas is a form of greenhouse gas that is over 20 times more effective than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Methane gas can remain in the atmosphere for about 9 to 15 years. Methane is emitted from a number of natural and human-influenced sources.
Commonly known as wood alcohol, methanol was originally produced by the distillation of wood feedstock. Technological breakthroughs in the 1920s, and again in the 1970s, changed the process of methanol production, which today primarily requires natural gas feedstock. Natural gas is processed through several steps, including the use of catalysts, pressure and high heat, until it eventually emerges as liquid methanol. (See References 3) As of 2011, natural gas is the cheapest methanol precursor, but other high-carbon feedstocks such as coal can be employed to create liquid methanol.